I just bit it bad!!
 

My first time!! The flooding here in Chicago brought a lot of sand onto the path. I was cruising along at close to 20 mph, and lost traction over a big wad of wet sand. Of course I went down on the drive side :( I think I messed up my bike pretty good! As for me, I have a huuuge rash on my heine, and several in other areas. Looks like I'll be taking a little time off!

Dax

Owwwwy! I hope you and your bike heal quickly!

Ugh! I feel for you. Last year, I chain-sucked really badly while powering through some sand on my MTB. I actually snapped a plate and didn't realise it until after riding around for the next two hours with horrible mis/ghost-shifts. I was so worried I had trashed my drivetrain. I only noticed it when my one of my riding buddies pointed it out as we were loading our bikes back on the hitch rack in the parking lot. I got it checked out by my mechanic and he said I was lucky.

I remember once jumping (attempting) a gap in the upper sidewalk along LSD (I forget which beach it was) and miss-judged the landing. My rear wheel caught the square edge and taco'ed... actually it was more like a pretzel.. also blew the tyre clean off because the rim bulged open. My body also did not appreciate the results. Fortunately, bruises heal and although none of the chicks dug my scars I didn't break anything. However, I was a poor college student then and even a measly $50 for a new rim made me cry... that of course doesn't count the spokes and rebuild labour.

BTW, I noticed your location also lists Ann Arbor. I lived there for a while and actually I go back there once a month for a few days at a time to visit "the home office". Do you ride around there? I've been to Pinkney but not within the last few years. I think I might get a cheaper road bike to keep in A^2 so my riding doesn't get interrupted. But knowing the quality of roads (and weather) of SE MI, maybe I should get a cyclocross bike. |8^)

I certainly feel for ya'. I've had two already this year. Here's to getting well soon. :beer:

I live in A2 and I know evergood trail and everygood shop. We have some susprisngly good trails around here.

Thanks for the encouraging words!

I had barely finished bandaging and repairing myself before I had put my bike on the stand to give it a diagnosis. There's a stratch or two on the right shifter and the rear derailleur. No marks on the fork or frame. Brakes working fine, both wheels a little out of true. Upon shifting to the largest tooth cog, I found that the RD was hitting the spokes! I believed the rear derailleur hanger to be a little bent in toward the wheel, and also bent in the plane along the wheel's axis. A little tweak seems to have solved the problem, and the bike is shifting well once again. I had to play with the adjustment on the FD for some reason.

Khuon and cdude: I do ride in Ann Arbor. I will be living there full time starting late next week. When I road ride I usually just hit Huron River Drive. For trails, I have been riding a few trails around Ann Arbor that take me from the Hospital to the Leslie Park area. Then you can roll around in there a bit. I have been meaning to check out Pinckney and the Island Lake Rec Area.

Where do you two ride, and what rides do you recommend?

Dax

Well, I haven't ridden there since I moved away but as far as road riding goes, I didn't hang around town much although Huron River Drive is an excellent ride. I would also recommend the area around Chelsea and M52... lots of open road. Likewise, Ann Arbor-Saline is a nice ride too.

Hey guys, I live in Royal Oak. Do you know of any shops in A2 that sell cyclocross bikes?

Hope you're both up and riding together again soon.

Richard

Lin Kieu,

If you're interested in cyclocross have you checked out bloomer park in Rochester? They just built a cyclocross track. Go over there and check it out. Those guys could point you in the right direction.

Dang, Guillermo, that's too bad! :(

Sorry, hope you heal quickly! :)

Good stuff. For bike shops Two Wheel Tango on Packard Road by Ypsi, but shot around.

For road rides, ride into Dexter sometime, there is a lot of good stuff, just take Huron River all the way and. Mast rd is a good place, rolling hills, etc, etc. Or try riding into chelsea on Dexter-Chelsea.

Any for trails Picnkey Park is where its at. Obviously the Poto is a well know trail, but there are different cutback, a 3,5,14, and 17 mile loops are available.
Brighton Park has 2 trals, both fairly tight, technical singletrack. Need any more info? And Island Lake is also great for road rides, and to blow through the fun and easy trails.

Good overall, fun, and challenging ride: Poto (Picnkey Park)
Fun, easy, fast: Island Lake
Mix of both: Brighton Park

Then there is Highland up north a ways, but a good ride. Ahh so many trials, so few time.