30 days of riding day 25 - disaster strikes - reluctant singlespeeder

Day 25 and the weather had help up just enough for the trails to dry out and for me to break out the Airborne Green Goblin.  I had just enough time to get in an hours ride before hitting the office, so loaded up the car and headed off to Lake Fairfax park to do the difficult run loop.

The ride started off great, I can feel my fitness increasing and some of the climbs etc that would have had me breathing heavily were much more comfortable.  Although it would never be a ride that challenged my personal bests, I knew the way I was riding that I had a shot of ending up pretty close.  All changed however 3 miles from home when out of nowhere my shifting became extremely rough and then the derailleur hanger sheared bending the derailleur and throwing it up into the wheel.  I stopped instantly to minimize the damage however there was no way that I could ride the bike without some trail side repair.

A bit of a mess

I normally carry a spare derailleur hanger in my hydro pack but as it was a quick blast I had elected to ride without the hydro pack.  Thankfully though I'd had the forethought to bring my multi tool, complete with chain breaker.  I always use the KMC split links on my chains as I find they are incredibly easy to open up, I've tried SRAM links before but without the specific tool, they are incredibly difficult to separate.  Using my chain tool in conjunction with the split link, I shortened the chain and singlespeeded very slowly out of the woods and back to the car.

Single speed

With all the extra time taken I was a little late for the office, however had I not brought the chain tool I would have been left with an hours walk back to the car in my SPD shoes (not appealing).  I've since broken things down back at the garage and the derailleur is a little bent, I've managed to straighten it up so it would probably be useable again, however its the perfect opportunity to upgrade.

So although as soon as I got the Goblin out again it is back off the trail, I do have an SRAM X9 derailleur, new chain, and new cable housing on the way.  Here's hoping I can get back in action by next weekend.