Big plans for today. I really need to stat getting more long rides in, stuff over 100km. So I set out with the intention of about 108km, following the TTC 58km loop twice, with a part cut off. Things went really well for the first loop, I felt strong and was right with the fastest guys in the group. I did drop my chain a couple of time climbing (came off the inside chainring), but I was able to chase back on. I went out solo for a second loop. The wind seemed to have picked up, and the first stretch was a fight, but once I turned around, things were pretty smooth.
Until they weren't.
Going up another climb, I lost tension to my pedals. I was kind of pissed that I had dropped the chain again, when I realized that I hadn't this time. I had snapped it, as it was dragging behind me. I had pulled a link apart. It took about 30 minutes, but I was able to reconnect the chain, with the intention of soft-pedalling home. That lasted one pedal-stroke until it snapped again. I was now reduced to hiking the 15km back to the car, so I called my wife and said I was on my way home, but with no idea how long it would take.
So I walked. In cycling shoes. I sat on the bike and coasted when there was a downhill stretch, but mostly I walked. A few cyclists stopped to help, but no one carries a spare chain, and none had a chain tool. After 7km (I've checked the map since I got home), I got very lucky, and a driver stopped and offered me a lift. She was a cyclist herself, and would hope someone would do the same for her. So here's to paying it forward. With much gratitude, we threw the bike in the trunk and was back at the car an hour earlier than I expected. If she ever chances upon this little blog, thank you.
Now I'm tired, and hungry, I've been in the sun too long, and my butt hurts from the walk (and taking the saddle into the base of spine when my foot slipped during a coast). Quite the day.
Bike: 93 km
Walk: 7 km
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1 comment:
Brutal. At least you resisted the urge to turn it into a full on 'David Millar' scenario where you chuck the bike.
I haven't managed to break a chain yet, so I guess I'm not pedalling hard enough. In fact, the last time I even managed to drop a chain was last year's K-W Classic.
I feel like a slacker for only doing ~70km this morning, but even that hurt. All the high intensity focus has been great fun, but it has certainly left my endurance lacking.
The motorist/cyclist who stopped to give you a lift has restored some of my faith in humanity though.
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