c. well almost. We don't shut down in the summer because our kids would lose too much ground. The data is inputed weekly but every five weeks or so we meet and look at the graphs, talk about any problems we see in each childs program, address behavioral issues etc... but with a crushingly intelligent administator present who can bring fresh eyes to the situation.

Arrrrgggghhh ... bad day at the races this morning. Full field (50 riders) in the cat 5 race at Prospect Park in Brooklyn. Probably a half-dozen really inexperienced racers swerving all over the road; one caused a small pile-up pretty early in the race (halfway through first lap).

But on the final lap, it came time for breakingnews to pull an extremely amateur move and try to jockey his way along the outside of the pack into sprinting position, only he misjudged the finish line and did it about a half-mile too soon.

I was pulling around 32 mph when I see the rider in front of me cut back into the pack - only to discover that he was avoiding a triangular median jutting out onto the road way (a "right turn" median from an entrance onto the park road). I managed to get my front wheel up and over the curb, but my back wheel slammed into the median and exploded. I jumped another curb and, fortunately, there was a clearing in the woods and I just kinda cruised until I slowed down. Really, really fucking stupid move, but oh well.

At least I didn't go down - there were at least three other crashes today, one involving a guy on a unicycle who cut right on the park road without noticing the 50 riders barreling down the street. He took down 6 racers, one of which completely shredded his shorts. I think each of the four races going on today had at least one crash apiece.

But before that, pack averaged 24.5 mph, and I maxed at 43 mph! Fucking fast.

I guess I will be buying a new rear wheel.

http://www.supdogg.com/wheel1.jpg

http://www.supdogg.com/wheel3.jpg

http://www.supdogg.com/wheel5.jpg

http://www.supdogg.com/wheel6.jpg

Ouch. Sorry for your loss. But did you at least have fun doing it? I've been known to say "Holy crap........WHEEEEE!" While flying off various wheeled apparati.

I had a fantastic time, much better race than I expected, despite it the gun going off at 6:45 am.

Oh, I got a new camera, too. :) Totally loving the thing.

Yeah - those are some good pix.
Well at least you have the rest of the day to nurse your injuries, or to buy a new wheel.

Sorry to hear about the mishap, that sucks. But great pictures...whad'cha get?

I got me a Nikon 8800. I've been debating between an SLR or an advanced P&S, but then I realized that I just couldn't justify spending all the $$$ on SLR and lenses, more or less for recreational use. Got a great deal on the 8800, and there's a Nikon summer rebate too. :)

It works beautifully - once you actually figure out how to use the thing. Major learning curve - took me almost 150 shots before stuff started coming out remotely close to how I wanted it.

Otherwise, it's built like an SLR, fully programmable with plenty of functions. The nikkor lens is great, but a little slow to focus beyond, say, 150-200mm. Sadly, many of the "cons" that were posted to dpreview.com are VERY prevalent with the 8800 - but with a little tinkering, I've been able to work around some of the shortcomings.

That little dent means buy a new wheel? Don't they have vice-grips where you live? Is is still circular? Sheesh.

That little dent means buy a new wheel? Don't they have vice-grips where you live? Is it still circular? Sheesh.

Come again? :)

Bike shop is doing its best to fix the wheel, but it's now a training wheel from here on out. Ordinary riding is fine, but for racing, it's too dangerous.

- No way they could make the rim wall (braking surface) level again, which could lead to braking problems
- It's already 6 years old, with some 8,000 miles, and the bump likely caused more spoke problems than I already have (3 loose spokes)
- If the clincher edge isn't straight, lateral pressure could pull the tire off the rim

It's probably fine, but I don't wanna take chances. Just gonna order a new rear wheel, which is only $125 with Ultegra 9-speed hub.

Sounds like you definitely got your money's worth. Choose a safe path.

Could've sworn I congratulated you on not being very dead following your mishap. Man that must have been hairy!

Just bought a 12 speed 23" Raleigh technium. Used. ($100)

The rear wheel had a broken axle, and it was a Campagnolo freewheel, so I replaced that ($140), plus chain, and moved up to 2x7.

The brakes and limit screws need some fiddling, but it looks to be a significant improvement over my old Mongoose mtb with bent handlebars and hanger.

(The photo's from the craigslist posting that I bought the bike from; I've since put pedals on.)

How's she treating you, Skunks?

I learned last night that the bottom bracket on a racing frame is a lot lower than on a mountain bike.

I'd discovered before that that cornering was a lot different (I think it's the difference between 700c and 26" rims), so I was playing around with turning sharper. I went down a gentle hill, made a left turn pretty sharp, leaning into it a lot. Inside pedal hit the pavement, and (I gather) bounced me up. Came down again on the rear wheel, bent it pretty severely, flew a few feet, landed relatively gracefully (one small bruise, one small cut.)

So I'm hoping the guy who I bought the wheel from, a nice bike shop right around the corner from my house, will be able to do something about its odd shape. (From side to side it varies by about two inches, but I don't think there's any rim damage.)