Protecting My Investments
Red, white, (black) and blue. That sums up my July 4th mountain biking adventure. I was able to protect my investments (brains and teeth), but other parts, including my Garmin, didn't fair so well. Skipper and Porkchop were teaching us the lingo at the Dirty Draft on Wednesday. I learned the term "OTB" (over the bars). I find active learning really drives concepts home. I've also learned that I prefer the "ATB" (at the bar) maneuver.
This post isn't about my brains and teeth, although I do have a tangential soliloquy about my right central insisor. Shortly after college, I was playing raquetball with my Mom. The combination of her wicked backhand and my slowness in the backcourt resulted in a collision of her racquet and my #11 (see dental numbering system). The tooth still exists in my mouth, but is quiet dead and required a root canal. My Dad's comment: "That's too bad. It was your only good feature." He didn't really mean it the way it sounded. Or maybe he did? I am aware that my teeth are disproportionally large. Standing in line once at the grocery store, a small child whispered, "Look, Mommy. That lady has teeth like a horse." I gave the precousious tike a little neigh and whinny. The mother was mortified. I was satisfied. I'd like to think teeth size reflects brain size, but realize that statement alone disqualifies me from any academic position.So what is this post about? Saying thank you and recognzing amazing local bike shops and one big business. Upon crashing my Ibis Ripley LS, I noticed what I thought to be a crushed crinkle in my frame. Zach at Blue Mounds Bicycle, who sold me the Ibis last year, took my call on the 4th of July (sure the shop was open, but I know he was swamped). He spent several minutes asking me questions about the damage, and explaining the mechanical properties of carbon fiber failure. Thank you, Zach. This is one reason why I love local bike shops. Colin and the boys at Cronometro have done the same for me numerous times, answering my SOS calls from the road when I have an issue that I can't Sherlock. Crono flat out replaced my carbon Cervelo frame that had failed. HERE IS A SHOUT OUT TO LOCAL BIKE SHOPS. Please continue to support them. When you need help, you need a real person to answer the phone and stand behind the product.
My Garmin did not survive the crash. I would not have expected it to. I doubt any GPS device is made to withstand direct impact of this magnitude (the vertical fall wasn't that impressive, but there was nothing to break it other than my Garmin and chest, which is not in proportion to my teeth. Possibly my brains. I emailed Garmin on July 4th, with full disclosure of how the Garmin came to expire, and asked if the screen could be repaired. Never did I think that I would get a response THAT DAY. Nor did I expect them to send a replacement for a fraction of the cost of a new Garmin. Furthermore, the company gave me the option to 1) send back the trashed unit and wait for a replacement, or 2) pay upfront and have a new unit sent immediatley, with a refund when my unit is returned. This is a big ass company, responding to me as if I were the only Garmin user on the planet, or a major league cyclist who gives them tons of visibility. I am neither, evidence of the later obvious.
Anyway, as I'm popping Aleve in preparation for tomorrow's 40 mile Draft in 90 degree weather, I thought I'd say thank you. Reminder that we are riding SHORT CUT BACK DOOR TO CHURCH, leaving from Glacier Ridge Rd at 5PM. Pizza to follow. Please bring a lawn chair and beverage of your choice.Draft responsibly (and in accordance with your skill level, not your ambition),BrickO