Back in '74, I was commuting to downtown Baltimore and back on a pretty black Woodrup Crit bike that I'd just built up with my first set of nice wheels, laced 'em myself, Campy NR low flange hubs, Fiamme yellow label rims, black enameled Rodelli spokes and orange dry pavement silks. While heading home, I stopped for a light in a pretty rough part of town and leaned on a telephone pole so I wouldn't have to unclip. The bike sat down! The rear wheel had bent in half at a 90 degree angle. What a time to learn I still needed work on my wheel building skills. I carried that bike for at least four miles, at 21 too afraid to hitch hike until I'd gotten to a better part of town. Too many times have I earned my CB handle, The Bikin' Fool.
Dan Artley
Parkton, Maryland