nekohime

So you may have read a couple of months ago that my brommie's (Vendetta) frame pump fell off the pegs and into the wheel, nearly causing me to fall and causing spoke nipple breakage on the rear wheel. The next weeks were fine, but these past couple of weeks, the universe's hate on me and Vendetta continued.

Last week, I was hammering along happily down Westwood, when suddenly, a bee flew into my right eye. A frickin BEE, stinger and all. OW OW OW. I panick-braked because my eye exploded in pain and I nearly got hit by the car behind me. It's a good thing the driver was more concerned than angry, and when I told her what had happened, she even helped me wash my eye out. I don't understand how the heck the stupid bee got into my eye in the first place, since I wear eyeglasses. What are the odds? I had to take the bus the whole way on that day because there was no way I could see out of my right eye for quite a while.

Yesterday, I was happily pootling downhill in the bike lanes in my neighborhood, when I suddenly heard a sickening crunch. I felt the rear wheel lock up and start to skid. I did another panicky stop, and thank goodness for the bike lane, because if I were in traffic I would've been squished by cars going 55mph. Turns out that a thick metal wire had gotten caught in the spokes, and the horrible noise I heard from the back wheel was the sound of the wire getting tangled all around the spokes, axle and rear triangle. I didn't see the metal because it blended with the road. Vendetta now has an untrued wheel due to bent spokes, the axle is loose, and the hub isn't shifting right. #*@«$»~. I walked to the bf's house and hack-sawed as much of the wire as I could, but some of it is still there because I can't get it off without removing the wheel or bending it even more, but I'm afraid the gears will get even more out of whack if I remove the wheel without knowing exactly what's wrong. I'm not riding her any more this week bringing my poor bike in for some much-needed loving at the bike shop.

Le sigh.

In any case, I just wanted to rant about the misfortunes that have befallen me. I hope your pootles this week are way safer and happier than mine.

EvilV

Sounds bad.

Have you seen 'The Life of Brian'?

There's a funny song in it that might help you put these misfortunes in perspective. I'm thinking that if I ever get around to planning my funeral, I should make sure this song is played to the mourners / cheerers....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHPOzQzk9Qo

Speedo

A Brompton named Vendetta? You were asking for it. The good news is that you've had three misfortunes which should balance the accounts with the universe. Just rename your Brompton with a name that's a little friendlier and you'll be good to go!

Speedo

DLBroox

That brommie needs her chakras realigned! Maybe an aura cleansing...

Glad you lived to tell the tale!

nekohime

But...but...they're a pair. Charlotte and Vendetta. The blue mixte is Charlotte, and Vendetta has to be green, so the brommie it was. Hmmm...I guess if the brommie needs a rename I'll have to get another green bike to name Vendetta so as not to break the pair.

rbrian

Verily, the vicious 'verse has visited various vile vicissitudes upon Vendetta!

You have my sympathies, I hope she gets well soon, and your eye too. I also wear glasses, and I have found that if anything they make the windblast worse, because the air curves around the glasses and enters the eye from the side. Eyelashes work best at keeping stuff out from the front. Perhaps some wraparound glasses are in order? I haven't found any cheap ones that work with my prescription, and as the cost of laser treatment is coming down, I'm considering having that done. But then I remember - they use a device straight out of the Clockwork Orange to hold your eyes open, and then shine frickin' laserbeams into your eyeballs! While you're awake!