I wanted to take a minute to thank the STP support staff on the emergency phone, car 4, and REI Saturday and to let them know how my ride went.
While climbing a railway overpass about 4 miles from the REI rest stop on Saturday morning, my rear derailleur wrapped itself around the cluster stopping the bike and bending the derailleur hanger inward towards the cluster. The damage looked disastrous and ride/bike ending. I called into the emergency phone number and after some trouble finding me car 4 showed up to carry me and my bike into the REI rest stop.
The mechanic, Wes, was a godsend; bending the derailleur hanger back into place, tossing the old derailleur and putting on a new one for free. He also found the cluster loose and rear wheel wobbly. If it had been any other frame material than steel that would have been the end of the bike and the ride. I flew up to Seattle for STP from Amarillo, Texas and have been training all summer for this. My only transportation until Portland was my bike. This news really hit home.
After the quick repair and some food I was back on the road 2 hr after the accident and was able to complete both days of the ride. Thanks so much for saving my trip. Great ride.
Thanks,
Stephen Sorrell
Rider 2960