Steve Austin

Great night for a Jacobsburg ride. Weather was perfect. Unfortunately, mechanicals were not! Seemed like I was off by one shift in the rear and it kept popping in and out of gears. It was annoying, but kept going, I was feeling great. Rode the front gears to avoid the back. Made the powerline hill without a problem, but mostly in 3rd so I was whooped. About 3 miles in downshifted the rear accidentally and threw the chain to the inside. Harumpf. Popped back on and forgot about the shifting again and threw to the inside again. This time, heard the deralieur hit the spokes. Shifted into 3rd and ran back to the truck. Phil Esempio was there, bleeding in the lot. Called SVB and they closed at 7. Phil offered to help. Hanger bracket was bent and adjustment was backed out. He was a whiz. Started spinning screwdrivers and bending away at the bracket and it was whipped back into shape in no time. Took it for a test spin and it shifted better than when it was new. Put in 5 miles, 9.4 average. Felt like I could have done 15. Should be in good shape for wednesday hopefully. Hmmm, donut derby a possibility? After 6 months of scrimping, splurged on biking shoes since these are falling apart. See how they do. Free donuts and a bikeride? Yum on all fronts