Tuesday, August 16, 2022
Wednesday, August 3, 2022 -- Manhattan Beach Pier -- Another broken spoke on the rear wheel...
Broke another spoke on the rear wheel on yesterday's ride.
This is the broken spoke.
This is the first time to break a spoke on the "drive-side" of the wheel and also the first time to break a spoke near the hub.
All previous broken spokes on this wheel have been on the "non-drive-side" and have broken near the rim.
the nipple broke apart where the spoke wrench engages.
This happened previously when I tried to adjust the tension.
With some of the spokes, I caused the problem by turning the wrench in the wrong direction (these spokes' nipples have "reverse" threads so you have to turn them in the opposite direction to "normal" thread).
But on some of these spokes, the nipple broke due to them being stuck to the rim and the nipple being made of an aluminum allow (instead of steel). They seem to be pretty fragile, especially if the nipples are somewhat stuck on the rim.
This spoke broke right where it meet the hub.
Moved the spoke slightly to better show the break.
Also, on the non-drive-side, there are a couple of spokes that are loose.
The red arrow is pointing to one of the loose spokes.
I replaced two of the spokes recently (within the last year or so) but the replacement spokes I bought online are too long.
They're basically correct except they're about 7 mm too long.
I've tried to find the right length ones online but no luck.
Thus, with the loose spokes, the wheel can't really be trued.
With the latest broken spoke, it's time to retire this wheel.
For now, I put on this spare wheel.
It's a Campagnolo wheel and doesn't match the front now.
I have a "set" of spare Mavic wheels that I can put on the bike.
They need tubes/tires put on and the rear wheel needs a cassette.
I can transfer the cassette from the broken wheel to the spare set.
I can also look for a matching Campagnolo front wheel at the bicycle swap meet...
But for now, this will work.
Rode to the pier and back and it worked out well.
The wheel is pretty much true so the rear brakes also work better.
4 cars...
Some interesting net pictures.
Looks to have been "resto-moded".
Modern wide tires.
The car/design is nearly 70 years old but doesn't look it.
I think it says "Anderson Special" on the back.
Don't know what it is but looks to be from the late 1910s or early 1920s.
Although it's a bit hard to make out, the details are interesting.
Looks like a speedo on the outside.
Lever shocks in the front (my 1973 MGB uses lever shocks).
Big knock-off nuts with big ears.
Real hub-caps (usually threaded on).
Steering box and arm are clearly visible.
Guessing that the lever on the outside is the shifter.
It's got a plate on the front (can't make it out).
This is right up my alley.
Like all the details on this, including the colors.
Wheels, front "bumper", headlamps, mirrors, top, etc. are just right.
This appears to be a stationary "studio" shot.
The road/vegetation look fake.
Or, it's a very well done scale model.
Strange how there's a front fender on the RH side of the car/model.
Monday, August 15, 2022
Tuesday, August 2, 2022 -- Manhattan Beach Pier -- Crash on the ride back home...
I crashed on my bike ride today, on my way home.
I saw this guy (spandex guy) make a big round u-turn at a junction where two bike paths meet (T-junction).
I go straight (instead of turning left).
He looped around and ended up in the same direction as me.
I was coming up quickly so I called out to let him know that I’m going to pass him on the left (of him).
He was totally not paying attention and also wasn’t listening.
Just as I went to pass him on his left, he slowly crossed the bike path to stop on the other side of the bike path.
His slow left turn in front of me was made just as I was moving left.
Perfect collision course with no time or place to avoid the guy.
I yelled out and braked as hard as I dared but it was just too little space.
I probably got down to about 5 MPH when I collided to him (he was perpendicular to the bike path with his bike.
When my front wheel hit his bike (in the rear wheel mounting area), I came to a sudden stop and flipped over his bike and landed on my outstretched hands & rolled over.
The blacktop is particularly coarse in that section of the bike path.
Luckily, I landed and rolled well. My palms are sore (but the biking gloves protected me from getting road rash on my palms).
I have one small spot of road rash on my right elbow (very small).
Nothing else in terms of blood.
I’m a bit sore all over but not bad.
Of all my crashes, probably one of the less body damage ones.
The bike also fared not too bad.
Abrasion on the side of the seat. Road-rashed but not torn through.
Abrasion on the bar tape and more scratches on the brake lever but not too terrible.
There may be other scratches/damage but probably won’t run into it until I go to wash the bike.
He said he had dropped a water bottle and was making a U-turn to go back and get it.
He said he was so focused on the water bottle that he wasn’t paying attention.
I have a bright flashing headlight. He said he wasn’t paying attention so he didn’t see it.
He said it was his fault.
It really doesn’t make a difference since you can’t go back & undo the accident.
He really should have known better since he looked like a rider (full on spandex outfit and a fancy carbon bike).
Shit happens. Overall, it wasn’t too bad. I’ve had much worse crashes.
This is one of the lesser ones…
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