Let the Healing Begin

Before (note the crack in the paint where the crooked hanger meats the dropout)

After (note the straight derailleur hanger)

Trusty, LBM (local bike mechanic) Jason Bauer used his "campy kickstand" to straighten my derailleur. I looked on line to find a picture of the tool and finally found it in the toolbox below.

I just wrote a wordy description of the tool's use then proof read it and had no idea what I had just described. Basically, Jason attaches the tool, fixes the bike. As a bonus, Jason gave my damaged derailleur his seal of approval. I ordered a new derailleur that should get here today but I will send it back and live with my scuffed up but working one.

Cycling in Arizona

My beautiful Merckx in Tucson.

Upon closer inspection there seems to be some tape damage? And perhaps some lever damage?

Yep. Cable damage too.

My lovely white seat - not so lovely anymore.

And a major crack in the Record Ultra Torque System (the chainrings are bent too).



Recommendation: Do not throw your bike off of a vehicle moving 70 mph while facing a 60 mph head wind.


This picture is of a sandstorm in Arizona hours after wind in Utah blew my bike off the roof of my car. Luke's bike was simply knocked over (breaking a fork end). So our cycling/research trip to Tucson has become a research trip. Boring. Maybe we'll rent bikes - but that would mean riding Shimano.

North Eagle Road

This road is a mere 20 miles from my front door in Boise and the roads that took us to this beautiful road aren't so bad either (Hill Road mostly). We found out later that this road is part of a 72 mile loop that includes a ghost town called Pearl. It is mostly dirt but according to my sources it is road bike friendly. I can't wait to ride it.

Naked Pictures

I was showing my students how to use the school's Hasselblad and, since I loaded it with my own film, I decided to take it home. A few days went by and I had to return the camera but I had not taken any photos so I started photographing my bike and my dog. The above is my bike without a chain (naked). Below is my dog, also naked. I am not sure what is up with the color on these photographs but I like them.

Chair for Scale

I am considering changing this blog's name to Campy Chain Tool Hero.
With the help and advice of my local mechanic, Jason, I put my chain back on. Jason measured it for signs of stretching and it appears to be fine. I put it back on with a quick link. It was quick, and easy.