Bicycle Mechanics - Gouged my wheel this morning, can it be fixed???

This morning I clipped a sewer grate and gouged my wheel.

The gouge is on the braking surface of the rim, not very deep. I only noticed it when I applied the brake and heard a ticking sound.

Is there any way the gouge can be filed down or is the rim shot???

Pictures would help a lot.

Working on pics.

It's not a deep gouge, so I'm thinking it can be filed down, I'm more worried about the integrity of the rim after I file it as I run my tires at 120+ psi.

http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs154.snc1/5736_116549898679_627013679_2187403_3861899_n.jpg

http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs134.snc1/5736_116549903679_627013679_2187404_4501348_n.jpg

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs134.snc1/5736_116549908679_627013679_2187405_1481746_n.jpg

My opinion is that you can file that down and continue riding. Watch for cracks. If you get a crack, replace the rim.

There will probably be other opinions. But I've sent rims like that along their way, and no one has died.

should be fine until you wear out the braking surface.

UPDATE: Filed it down, then used a fine grit emery type cloth we use at work to buff it. You can no longer feel the gouge, the brakes are silent, and very little material was removed.

I noticed it looks deeper in the pictures than it actually is.

Another option that was recommended was to just lower the pad so it contacts slightly below the gouge. I won't need to go there thankfully but it's an interesting approach.

Thanks for the replies, and I don't expect any, but I'll look out for cracks.

I was about to suggest emery-cloth. Cool! Congratulations.

RIDE ON!

Oh yea, thanks for the replies.

Can you post pix of the finished product? I'm not doubting you; I just enjoy the before/after shots of a job well done. :)

Some might advise to replace the rim due to the reduced braking surface area! I am not one of them.