Biking Log: 21 miles Downtown SD to Chua Vista (First wipe out)

This morning at 9:30AM sharp, I meet up with James, Rosemary, Wayne, Dave and other folks for a 22+ miles ride starting from Fish Market by Harbor drive and head down south to Imperial Beach along San Diego Bay, and finally head back north to Coronado through Silver Strand.

Long story short, the ride didn't go as smooth as expected. It was a nice typical SD weather, after about 8 miles into ride, we had to go through several old train track near by Naval Station. I made a big / HUGE mistake which I did NOT cross the small ditch run adjacent to the train track at 90 degree angle. All the sudden, the bike tire was caught within ditch and slipped and I went down with the bike. It happened so quickly and I wasn't really able to react. My first wipe out on the road bike. Others saw it happen and help me up. I was a bit in disbelieve what just happen. I quickly examination of the bike, the left side of the handle bar was bent and some scratches on the right side shifter and the front wheel seems straight. My right leg got some superficial road rash, so was my upper right shoulder. So I quickly got back on the bike and everything seems to be okay and the bike seems to in proper working order.

After riding about 3~4 miles, there was a hill coming up, so I started to down shift my rear derailleur. It didn't run too smooth, then I heard some bad noises and then the chains came off. As I was attempting to put the chains back on the gear, I notice something terribly wrong with my rear derailleur, the CAGE was bent so much that it was hitting by the rear spokes. It was in real bad shape and I don't have any tools or plier to push the CAGE back in position. Luckily, others folks came to rescue (good things they were behind me in a few minutes - delay was caused by James's flat tire). No one has a plier but a Navy guy has a metal tire lever(?) (THANKS Navy guy) and he was able to use it to push the bent cage back enough which I was able to ride to a bike shop (Bicycle Warehouse) near by at L St. The folks over at bike shop were amazed how I damage the rear derailleur, they used a plier and push the bent cage and make minor adjustment to derailleur, so I might be able to keep going. (Thanks bike shop guy, they didn't charge me).

However, the bike was still in bad shape. To prevent possible further damage to the Cassette and the Crankset with a really off rear derailleur, I decide to head to the nearest Trolley station (Palomar Station) and head back to the car and drop the bike at my local bike shop as soon as possible. Another first for me today was getting on trolley with the bike.

Thinking back, when I wiped out earlier, I probably (did) fall down on the right side of the bike and damage the rear derailleur without realizing it.

My local bike shop took a look at the bike and determine that it needed a new rear derailleur. They only have Shamino Dura-Ace rear derailleur in stock instead of Ultegra (what was originally on the bike). I guess it is also time to upgrade. Out the Ultegra and in the Dura-Ace rear rerailleur in a hour or so.

Today I was really bummed that I made those stupid mistakes. After got back home, I decide I should complete my rest of miles today, so I rode 9 miles near by home Sorrento Valley Blvd / Calle Christibal with about 1.8 miles of uphill. It was a tough uphill but I stuck with it and made it through.

Total miles logged today: ~ approx 8 + 4 + 9 = 21 miles total.

Today I made a promise to myself that I will go back to the same route next week after work and finish riding that 22+ miles starting from downtown to imperial beach and back up to Coronado which I wasn't able to finish today. I also really need to do more long distance training.

Lesson learned today:

1. One should always cross ditch or train track with 90 degree entry angle.
   
2. After each wipe out, one should always exam the bike fully and ensure all gear shifting and braking are still functional to prevent another accident and further damage to the bike.