Sunday started as a nice enough ride with a simple enough goal: NoDa-Uptown-Booty Loop 3x – Uptown – NoDa. All went to plan for the first 3/4 of the ride. Stunning weather, good legs, surprising climbing success + tasty cold beer. Matt and I were making good time on the return home, riding relatively easy when we made the turn from College to 11th St. For some reason, I thought it would be the perfect time for a sprint. And then it all went pear shaped. As I put weight and force to the pedals, I got approx 2 cranks into the middle of 11th street when the popping started. My left foot flew out of the clip, and my rear wheel began to groan, wobble and crack as things began to get a bit sticky. The bike commenced with the obligatory fishtailing out of control when I realized my right foot was still clipped in. While locking both the front and rear brakes – already envisioning the 4-6 weeks of healing that a broken collar bone requires – I was somehow able to simultaneously get my right foot down in a panicked, grateful stomp. My little adrenalin party ended with me and the bike up against the curb, luckily in the more popular “wheels down” position that so many cyclists are fond of. I certainly understand why they feel that way. Now, about that rear wheel. Anyone holding?

(photo via bikesnobnyc.blogspot.com)