Mechanical breakdown and walk home

I've had 2 times where I couldn't fix the bike and had to trek it home. The first time I blew a tire and had to walk the bike home about 8 miles.

The second time, the tiller linkage (or whatever the rod that ties the handlebars to the front wheel is called) bolt broke and caused me to wreck. I was about 4 miles from home that time. This one was very frustrating because I couldn't roll the bike gripping the handlebars since the front wheel would spin like crazy. I had to carry the bike (around 35 pounds) until I found an old metal coathanger on the road. I tied the linkage to the wheel and was able to roll the bike the rest of the way home.

So, I feel your pain 🙂

Dennis

In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

Today I broke a chain and realized the chain tool was in the pack of my other bike at home. I was
only 4 miles from home but it was all uphill so I couldnt coast at all. This is the second time I
have had to trek it home in the middle of the Phoenix heat due to a mechanical failure that I could
not fix on the spot. (you'd think i'd learn) The sad part was no one offered to help me until I got
to about 200 yards from my house. Which brings up this question to all- how far and under what
conditions have you had to walk back? jb

Hasn't happened yet (knock on wood....).

Not to make light of your ordeal, but I do enjoy hearing about incidents like this, because it helps
me justify the weight of the few emergency tools (including chain tool) that I keep loaded on each
and every bike I own.

Steve Christensen Midland, MI

In article <[email hidden]>, mriguy66 @yahoo.com says...

Quoted message said:

Today I broke a chain and realized the chain tool was in the pack of my other bike at home. I was
only 4 miles from home but it was all uphill so I couldnt coast at all. This is the second time I
have had to trek it home in the middle of the Phoenix heat due to a mechanical failure that I
could not fix on the spot. (you'd think i'd learn) The sad part was no one offered to help me
until I got to about 200 yards from my house. Which brings up this question to all- how far and
under what conditions have you had to walk back? jb

One. I once dropped into a crack in the pavement popped a front wheel and trashed my fork. My most
essential tool is the cell-phone. Don't leave home without it.

On my one time (7 miles from home), I called a Yellow Cab.

BTW I have the Pheonix heat and the Gulf Coast Humidity. I plan not to have to walk ever.

--
Cletus D. Lee Bacchetta Giro Lightning Voyager clee.orgclee.orgOpen ↗
- Bellaire, TX USA -

If you are pushing pins in with a chain tool then be prepared for another chain failure. Only use
quick links to make chain connections. Worst push home? That would be the time I hit a rock in the
Santa Paula river bed at 100 mph on a Maico 400 motorcycle. Destroyed the front wheel, hub so it
wouldn't roll. 240 pounds of motorcycle in the sand , 95 degrees heat, 5 miles. A couple hour
struggle. Bicycles are much easier to walk home. Speedy

j browe said:

Today I broke a chain and realized the chain tool was in the pack of my other bike at home. I was
only 4 miles from home but it was all uphill so I couldnt coast at all. This is the second time I
have had to trek it home in the middle of the Phoenix heat due to a mechanical failure that I
could not fix on the spot. (you'd think i'd learn) The sad part was no one offered to help me
until I got to about 200 yards from my house. Which brings up this question to all- how far and
under what conditions have you had to walk back? jb

-----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =----- newsfeeds.comnewsfeeds.comOpen ↗ - The #1
Newsgroup Service in the World! -----== Over 80,000 Newsgroups - 16 Different Servers! =-----

Fabrizio Mazzoleni said:

That's because you have one of those contraptions, the only person who could possibly help you
would have to be driving a flat deck truck with a hiab crane.

Hey, everyone! Flabs rides a *Brompton*!

Guy
===
** WARNING ** This posting may contain traces of irony. chapmancentral.comchapmancentral.comOpen ↗ Advance
notice: ADSL service in process of transfer to a new ISP. Obviously there will be a week of downtime
between the engineer removing the BT service and the same engineer connecting the same equipment on
the same line in the same exchange and billing it to the new ISP.

Several years ago I was road testing a fixed gear bike that I had just built up and I got a flat
about 8 miles from the house.

The rear wheel had a nutted axle so, even if I had brought a wrench with me, I wouldn't have been
able to repair it, since I had no spare tube or patch kit.

There was nobody around to help although, since I was in a park, on a road around the lake, I did
think I had a pretty good chance of seeing another cyclist.

As I began walking I realized that the bike was pretty light and easy to push. Also it was a
BEAUTIFUL day. A brilliant blue sky, the temp. pleasantly warm and a light breeze, so I began to
focus on how lucky I was.

The flat had come at the bottom of a steep hill, just before a corner and I had not wrecked and here
I was, embarking on an 8 mile walk (something I NEVER do because I am a runner) on a perfect day
with no time schedule to meet.

About 2 miles down the road I found 2 dollar bills, just folded up and lying in the road and that
just made the smile on my face even bigger.

Lewis.

****************************

[email hidden] (j browe) wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Today I broke a chain and realized the chain tool was in the pack of my other bike at home. I was
only 4 miles from home but it was all uphill so I couldnt coast at all. This is the second time I
have had to trek it home in the middle of the Phoenix heat due to a mechanical failure that I
could not fix on the spot. (you'd think i'd learn) The sad part was no one offered to help me
until I got to about 200 yards from my house. Which brings up this question to all- how far and
under what conditions have you had to walk back? jb

Lewis Campbell <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Several years ago I was road testing a fixed gear bike that I had just built up and I got a flat
about 8 miles from the house.

The rear wheel had a nutted axle so, even if I had brought a wrench with me, I wouldn't have been
able to repair it, since I had no spare tube or patch kit.

There was nobody around to help although, since I was in a park, on a road around the lake, I did
think I had a pretty good chance of seeing another cyclist.

As I began walking I realized that the bike was pretty light and easy to push. Also it was a
BEAUTIFUL day. A brilliant blue sky, the temp. pleasantly warm and a light breeze, so I began to
focus on how lucky I was.

The flat had come at the bottom of a steep hill, just before a corner and I had not wrecked and
here I was, embarking on an 8 mile walk (something I NEVER do because I am a runner) on a perfect
day with no time schedule to meet.

About 2 miles down the road I found 2 dollar bills, just folded up and lying in the road and that
just made the smile on my face even bigger.

Lewis.

You ever seen "the life of Brian" the monty python movie? Where all the crucified ones are tapping
their toes to the little ditty "always look on the bright side of life" Sounds like you have it
down pat. I walked back about 3 miles in the dark (bout 430am) after the rear derraileur decided it
wanted to take a break- literally and made love to the rear wheel taking the chain along for a
menage a trois. Can't understand why anyone didn't stop- specially the df I'd just passed! Pat

Quoted message said:

Which brings up this question to all- how >far and under what conditions have you had to walk
back? >jb

The VERY first time I rode my brand new Tour Easy (January '99), I got a rear flat going for
donuts for the family. Luckily, we were only 1 mile from home on the way back. I felt weird
enough on a faired bike, and here I was pushing it. We've had over 11,000 great miles since
though. Mostly with Avocet Cross K's on the rear (bulletproof).

(j browe) said:

Which brings up this question to all- how far and under what conditions have you had to walk
back? jb

One time I needed to ride to a conference 20 miles away to make a presentation. Naturally I stayed
up late preparing the presentation and overslept, and realized that I was cutting it pretty close.
So I decided to ride my new Aero rather than the slower trike. Only one problem - the only luggage
capacity of my Aero was a tiny Radical Solo seatbag, and I needed my laptop for the presentation. I
jammed the laptop halfway into the bag, tied it with bungee cord and set off.

Exactly halfway into the 10 mile trip the seat bag ripped apart. spilling my tools and my laptop.
And I mean completely ripped open - it didn't look remotely bag-like, and no amount of duct tape and
zip ties would fix it. I tried to see if I could clutch all my stuff in one hand and ride with the
other - nope. I called a cab but the bike wouldn't fit into the compact Toyotas they use here for
cabs. I ended up locking the bike at a nearby shop and asking the owners to keep an eye out if
possible. Got to the conference (late and barely in time for my own presentation because, as I
predicted, the traffic jam made the taxi much slower than a bike), took the train home and drove to
pick up the bike.

To be fair, the Radical bag is very well made. Also my bag was a used and rather old one that came
with my used Thys and was already starting to rip. And it obviously wasn't designed to carry a 5-lb
laptop along with a full set of emergency tools.

Ken Kobayashi [email hidden] solarwww.mtk.nao.ac.jppersonalOpen ↗

speedracer said:

I've had 2 times where I couldn't fix the bike and had to trek it home. The first time I blew a
tire and had to walk the bike home about 8 miles.

The second time, the tiller linkage (or whatever the rod that ties the handlebars to the front
wheel is called) bolt broke and caused me to wreck. I was about 4 miles from home that time. This
one was very frustrating because I couldn't roll the bike gripping the handlebars since the front
wheel would spin like crazy. I had to carry the bike (around 35 pounds) until I found an old metal
coathanger on the road. I tied the linkage to the wheel and was able to roll the bike the rest of
the way home.

So, I feel your pain 🙂

Dennis

--

Quoted message said:

--------------------------<

Posted via cyclingforums.com cyclingforums.comcyclingforums.comOpen ↗

Had a similar problem with my R44, which lost steering and rollability. My solution was to lock the
bike up, continue on foot and return with my car later.

(j browe) said:

Which brings up this question to all- how far and under what conditions have you had to walk back?

I had a brand new mountain bike once. What could go wrong, right? Yep.. Flat tire. Four miles back
to the campground where my family was. I hadn't broght tools, tube, pump -- just a little spin in
the country.

One other time I had a blowout and had to walk into town to buy a tire. Headed back, rode until
sundown, then hoofed it fifteen miles home along a US highway because it got so dark I didn't want
to be riding on the shoulder even with my lights, so I became a pedestrian and walked facing
traffic on that shoulder so I could at least see them coming and duck if necessary. That was back
in the day when I used to ride the Air-Dyne all winter, so I made it a point of pride to always
take my first long ride (30 mi each way) when there were still icicles on the cliffs along the
road. So it got plenty cold after dark. Thank God for wool shorts and leg-warmers and the
windbreaker I always pack along. But my total hike pushing the bike according to my Cateye was
three miles to get the tire then fifteen after it got dark. I shoulda left the damn bike at home
and taken a "hike" instead of a "ride"...

Ken Kobayashi said:

One time I needed to ride to a conference 20 miles away to make a ... Exactly halfway into the 10
mile trip the seat bag ripped apart.

I meant 10 miles into a 20-mile trip... (Just in case the technically minded people here are
frustrated with inconsistencies!)

Ken Kobayashi [email hidden] solarwww.mtk.nao.ac.jppersonalOpen ↗

j browe said:

Which brings up this question to all- how far and under what conditions have you had to walk
back? jb

About six miles, on a wet December evening. The P+nct+r+ Fairy paid a visit while the bike was at
work, so I put the spare tube in, intending to fix the holey one when I got home. Alas, she paid a
second visit to the same tyre a few miles up the road. Could I get the patches to stick? No.
Buggrit! Thoughts of leaving the bike at Finsbury Park station, getting the tube home and returning
with the car to pick up the bike vanished with the sight of a couple of wheelless, seatless twisted
wrecks chained up outside, and the picture was the same at Seven Sisters. The damage wrought to my
ankles by walking that far in Look-cleated shoes took a Several of weeks to wear off too.

A couple of three-milers too, once after the tiller broke on the Speedmachine and once when the
bottom bracket detached itself from the frame of a borrowed MicWic Commuter.

Dave Larrington - legslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uklegslarry.beerdrinkers.co.ukOpen ↗
===========================================================
Editor - British Human Power Club Newsletter
bhpc.org.ukbhpc.org.ukOpen ↗
===========================================================

11 km last year - a chainguidebolt snapped. Fortunately I could cost home. Sitting on the rack and
kicking the ground - I felt just a little stupid-looking..

4 km this monday, I went from work about 7km out to pick up some fancy heat- and glycole friendly
silicone (Dow Corning 732) for my cars radiator (snapped a plastichose, duh!). I didn't bring patch
kit or pump offcourse. On the way back - pheeeeoouu, flump, flump, flump. 25 celcius, jeans and hot
from riding.

This started my "Advice for touring tyre"-thread this tuesday. Both the car and the bike is fine
again. Bike got a nice Specialized FatBoy slick, and the radiator a bronzetube inserted, soaked in
the silicone. Yes it seems to hold up pretty well, tanks for asking. And yes, i keep an eye on the
thermometer.

Quoted message said:

Not to make light of your ordeal, but I do enjoy hearing about incidents

like

Quoted message said:

this, because it helps me justify the weight of the few emergency tools (including chain tool)
that I keep loaded on each and every bike I own.

I keep three tools in my bag. One is a multi-function bike tool with all the usual doodads on it.
The second is a Leatherman which has come in handy more than once while riding alone. The third is
my cell phone. On the only occasion when I broke something that I couldn't fix or patch I called a
friend who owns a big van. :^)

The rest of my supplies include two replacement tubes, a tire patch kit, a small squirt bottle of
chain oil, a zip lock bag with a few "wet ones" towlettes and a small first aid kit with an emphasis
on road rash stuff (Bacitracin, large gauze patches and such). Because the RANS Vivo uses a high
pressure rear suspension I carry a very small pump that can give me 150
psi in addition to the regular, frame mounted pump.

I could forgo the small pump and save a pound or so but if I was really that worried about weight
I'd lose a few pounds myself. :^)

"S. Delaire "Rotatorrecumbent"" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]... <snip>

Quoted message said:

That would be the time I hit a rock in the Santa Paula river bed at 100 mph on a Maico 400
motorcycle.

Count your blessings Speedy. It's a good thing you were able to walk.

skip

j browe said:

Today I broke a chain and realized the chain tool was in the pack of my other bike at home.

Not quite to answer the original question, but I have just the one tools/money/sunscreen pack, and
also a 0.5metre strip of yellow fabric with a loop of tape & press-stud fixings. Moving the pack
from one bike to another takes less than a minute. The bike that doesn't have the pack carries the
flag. [1] You could call it a "remove before flight" flag. It also serves as a reminder to move the
computer over, and to check on what lights might be needed for the trip.

Last time I had to walk home was 1966 -- after a crash which no tools short of a workshop with
oxy-acetelene brazing kit would have fixed.

[1] slight simplification: in fact there are several bikes and lotsa flags, they are also useful to
hang from handlebars etc as a reminder that something is loose/broken/missing. No flag -> bike
OK; flag -> something's got to be done before riding.

Mike

Here is a "roadside assistance" service for bikes:

bicycleretailer.comarticle display.jspOpen ↗

John Riley

Great ideal. I have a GRR, a very looong bike, and often wondered how I would get home in case of a
rare emergency that I can't fix myself (I shouldn't even be typing/posting this-I feel that I'm
bringing a curse upon myself-ah, who cares, I'm not superstitious, er, well, not 'til now)

I spoke to them. Up to 30 miles total/year. Total of 2 calls/year. I asked about carrying a LWB,
about 89 inches. She is going to get back to me, but it seems that they (the local garage
contracted) will send out a truck if necessary, ?flatbed.

betterworldclub.combike home.htmOpen ↗

Thanks for the lead.

Sonny

Quoted message said:

Here is a "roadside assistance" service for bikes:

bicycleretailer.comarticle display.jspOpen ↗
nu_content_id=1927042

John Riley

-----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =----- newsfeeds.comnewsfeeds.comOpen ↗ - The #1
Newsgroup Service in the World! -----== Over 80,000 Newsgroups - 16 Different Servers! =-----