First road crash in a really long time
 

Oregon state champ crit, Cat 3, 4 1/2 laps to go on a narrow 6 corner course and I am roughly 10 riders back in the pack. There is a loud crack as someone's tire blows, the 2 guys right in front of me lock up and go down and I have nowhere to go so I hit the brakes, then hit them and go down. The guy behind me runs over me and my rear wheel and I am done. What a drag. No telling where I would be at the end, but I felt great all race. I guess I could have been further up front, but I thought I was right where I wanted to be. At least I went off the front early in a little break and took a prime.

My rear Ritchey WCS Carbon wheel is cracked and my derailleur hanger is bent along with some scrapes that aren't worth mentioning. Luckily I just had a couple minor scrapes and a heavily bruised calf. The worst part was walking back to the start/finish with my bike and broken wheel. Countless people felt like they had to inform me that I shouldn't ride such expensive wheels in a crit. Or they would remark about it to their friends when I could clearly hear them. In respect for the neighbors and spectators with small kids I refrained from telling them where they could shove their advice.

Oh well, I guess every racer crashes some time. I've gone 2 seasons w/out a crash until this weekend. Time to get my rear wheel and bike fixed in time for the next crit.

Bummer. Fix the wheel and screw those people. Your don't race crits to crash. You race to ride. And you ride your best.

I know this might be hard to see now, but you are pretty lucky. Most people crash a lot more often and to a lot more ruin than that.

As for the people offering free advice about the wheels, screw them. A lot of bike racers use that "I told you so" attitude to make themselves feel better about not being able to race in your category.

Glad to hear you're ok. Money can fix any bike part, but it can't always fix your body.

I try to brake as an absolute last resort in that situation, but its tough, first reaction is to throw out the anchor. I'll try to steer my way out of it if someone is going down in front of me. Even if someone is right next to me, I'll chance pushing against him than running someone over. And if someone is next to me, they are usually moving over anyway to avoid the crash.

If I swerve over and take out someone's front wheel that was overlapping me? Well, thats racing. Protect your front wheel at all times.