Mountain Biking in Vernal, Utah – for my birthday!
Waking up in the desert on my birthday was special, but being able to ride out of our campsite with direct access to fifty miles of single track is even better. We got to an early start, but only after a large potatoes/onions/eggs and bacon breakfast, complete with coffee filtered through a paper towel (broken french press). A few miles into the ride on a very non technical section, a small rock must have come up off the tire and hit the derailleur just right as to break it clear off of the hanger and leave me stranded. I decided to pull some links out of the chain and make it a one speed. This worked enough for me to finish the trail, and continue riding for another 12 miles. I had to put the chain back on after every steep climb attempt, but it was better than not riding that day.
What do you think?