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08-14-07, 10:09 PM
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.
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.