Broken Bike

 

Oh dear! I was just riding along and "bang" this happened.

I had just headed out for a quick 2hr ride around the North Downs starting at Box Hill.

It was very muddy indeed and it was a bit of a slog but eventually I was up at Leith Hill and the views were fantastic, no-one around and the sun out- lovely. So I thought about 40-45 mins to get back before it gets dark.

I set off down to Summer lightning and rode the first 3 sections. I headed down the last section and skipped off a tiny little tree stump getting about 3 inches of air (as I do) as I landed the bike went "bang" and I though blimey how could I have bottomed out my shock over that tiny bump? I tried to pedal on but something was rubbing my tire and the  bike had squatted down.

I looked down adn to my horror saw a snapped seat tube below the weld under the swingarm attachment/pivot. Ow! That hurts! I love this bike!

I've been riding this old Hustler since August 2005 and its great! I can't believe our love affair is over- boo hoo!

Anyway I had to run and carry the bike down to Nirvana Cycles in Westcott which took me an hour! Jackie was there and said this had never happened before until this week and now she has seen 2 in 1 week! One on the newer version and one on my older model.

I will look into the crash replacement deal as the 1 year warranty has expired. Jackie was great she leant me a Giant hire bike so I could pedal home in the dark off road back to Box Hill. What a ride!

Never broken a bike frame before- not sure whether I'm proud I wore a bike out or gutted to lose it. Both I think! (Although given I ride my Cove G-Spot and Cove Stiffee too its hard to believe I rode enough for 3 years to wear the Hustler out, especially as its built for the North Shore!)