Bicycle Mechanics - Something is broken in the rear

I imagine you all can help me out with this one...

I was pedaling up a hill yesterday and all of a sudden *kachunk*, I thought my chain broke. Turns out the chain is fine and it is something in the rear hub/cassette area. I normally use my bike for commuting 7 miles to work - usually in the rain, and I do my own basic maintenence, but I've never experienced this problem before. Basically the cassette is free-wheeling in both directions...

So what did I break, and what do I need to do to fix it?

Sounds like the freehub is toast. Park Tools website (and many others) have instructions for removal and replacement.

You don't say what bike/drivetrain you have so....

Something broke like the other poster said. If it's a freewheel then you just need to replace the freewheel. If its a freehub it might just need a new freehub, If the free hub is built into the hub and the pawl area is damaged you might need a new hub or probably easier, a new rear wheel.

If it is a free hub, without the make/model, you won't know until you pull it apart.

I had this happen on a very high end hub once (White Industries freehub). The steel geared ring that the pawls engage had begun spinning within the alloy hub shell. Had to buy another hub and use the old one for parts.

Something is broken in the rear
I imagine you all can help me out with this one...

No. You can rub the Tiger Balm on for yourself.