Mechanical Musings continued…

We certainly were Innocents Abroad: on our way to a breakfast stop in Osceola, New York, another spoke broke! We chose to eat first and repair later. After a great breakfast, we entertained the locals with our spoke changing expertise. Then, on to the Adirondacks.

Now, being from South Eastern Michigan, we have very little experience in hill climbing. Our idea of hill training is repeatedly going up and down freeway overpasses. We were looking forward to this part of the trip. First the Adirondack, then the Green Mountains, finally the White Mountains with Kancamagus Pass, elevation 2,855 feet above sea level. We were excited flatlanders anxious to meet the challenge of riding over mountains.

The Adirondacks were beautiful! It was one of the best parts of the trip. This section of the trip ended at Ticonderoga, New York. Being history buffs, we planned to spend extra time exploring the fort.

On the long descent into Ticonderoga, Wes had a flat. Further down the road I noticed the familiar broken spoke wobble in my back wheel. We agreed, we deserved a motel that evening. There we would fix the spoke, again. Safely encamped at the Green Acres Motor Lodge, I checked my rear wheel. to my horror, no spokes were broken. The rim, how ever had numerous cracks in it. Certainly my fears were being realized. My trip was over. The Adventure Cycling maps saved us yet again. In the near by town of Middlebury, Vermont, was a bike shop. I called the Middlebury Bike and Touring Center and explained my circumstances. Once more I was in luck! Not only did they have a rim for me, they were willing to deliver it to the hotel the next morning.

Wes and I celebrated our good fortune with a fine dinner at the Hot Biscuit Diner in Ticonderoga. That night I brought out my worry bag and stewed. Would they have the right rim? Would the BOB skewer fit? Why did I not tell them about the BOB. Could we get the rear cassette off? Did we need to? Were they so agreeable just to get the out-of-towners off the phone? I may not be a great cyclist, I am a world class worrier.

Early the next morning, we heard the sound of a motor bike in the parking lot. Looked out to find Dave from the bike shop pulling in with a rim strapped to his back. What a welcome sight! What an unusual sight! The rim fit, the cassette came off with relative ease, the skewer fit, everything was grand! We were able to finish the trip with our breaking any more spokes.

Brian