What is it with Rear Wheels?

What is it with Rear Wheels?
Monday 24^th June, 2019
Day 45

Location: Syracuse to Herkimer, NY

Distance: 71 miles.
Temp:  55 - 82 F sunny
Dew point:  - 52 F
Winds:  calm

 

Cumulative climbing distance:  1,791 ftCumulative descending distance:  1,797 ft

 

So no flat tires today but instead broke a rear spoke in the new wheel.  No sure of the cause but we had a few roads today with depth and width holes in the broken concrete road shoulders.  Some occurred in narrow sections with road traffic such that I could not avoid hitting the holes at 15+ mph.  At the time I was surprised how tough carbon frame bikes must be to survive the severe jarring as I slammed by teeth together.  Later in the day the spoke broke and I limped to our destination.  I thought no problem as I packed extra spokes but the new wheel had an upgraded hub that required longer spokes than my extra sets and I had no extra nipples (as a section of the broken spoke could not be removed from the existing nipple).  After 2 hours, and a trip to a bike shop, the bike was repaired.  As always, the CrossRoads bike mechanics were able to make the necessary repairs.

On a sadder note, one of the other riders did break the front fork on his carbon frame bike while riding, thereby suddenly sending him over his handle bars and onto the roadway. Fortunately a trip to a clinic revealed no broken bones but many bruises included his ribs.  Tonight he bought a new bike so that he can finish the trip.  Trust he is able to bike tomorrow.

As I stated yesterday our route for the 4 days in New York runs generally near the New York Thruway (Interstate I-90) and the Erie Canal.  Today with crossed both several times as our route zig-zagged through central New York.

 

 

 



Spent the entire day biking on roads within the Heritage Corridor.
 



 

 

 Most towns in the northeast were founded in the 1700's and early 1800's.

 

 

The landscape was basically the same as yesterday.

 

 

Peyton, our mechanic and staff rider, lost his Oakley sunglasses yesterday (actually misplaced them in the SAG wagon and later found today).  In the meantime, this morning he found these red sunglasses, with one missing lens, on the roadway and used them until Judi found his Oakley glasses in the van.  Added a little variety to the morning ride.

Portions of the original Erie Canal

 

 

 

 

 

 The Erie canal has been enlarged several times and, in some locations, the course slightly altered.  Today the canal is still in use, mainly for pleasure boating.

 

 

 

 A sign today.  Remember our stowaway kitten from 2 weeks ago.

 

 As I said yesterday, I enjoyed a cooling moment while viewing the sign.