So I've had the worst two weeks ever...(hit and run content)

Tarckives Bikes
1

Last Wednesday I, in avoidance of hitting some asshole teenagers in the middle of Broadway here in Soho (Broadway and Spring St for you New Yarckers) who did the last minute “walk and not look”, totaled my Affinity. I had to pull a split second skid and ended up sliding sideways into the bumper of a stopped taxi, at about 15mph. Right seat stay was literally through the spokes of the wheel and the whole back end was shifted about 2-3 inches to the left. Pics later.

My ankle took a good amount of the hit and while walkable, I’m sure it has a crack or something on it. It hurts to touch now still.

I got a new Frame via accident replacement (And Jason the owner of Affinity being an awesome dude) and got a new frame and was back riding by Monday as I couldn’t really pedal until Saturday.

So FF to today. I’m riding up 6th Ave and make a left on 21st St. The light had just turned green and there were no cars behind me. Car Service black Town Car ran the red, flew across 6th avenue and hit me from behind. I took the turn wide to avoid the horrible bikelane on the left. He must have been going about 35mph, going by how bad my wheel crumpled. I was moving maybe 12mph, cruising.

I, fortunately, did not black out. I heard the crunch, my mind went “WTF was that?” and a split second later I was in the air over my bars and musth ave did some sort of somersault in the air cause I landed on my back, leaving me with no road rash (thank the fucking tarck bear).

I was about 30ft in front of my bike. When I got up, fairly quickly, I yelled “STOP THAT MOTHERFUCKER!” and grabbed my bike out the street. Two construction workers went after him but he sped off after slowing down mid block and sped off to an awaiting green light at 7th Avenue. No one got the plates, no car number… nothing.

Upon further inspection of my bike, the wheel seemed to only be destroyed. 4 or 5 cracks, and 3 major breaks/bends. It was only a formula/deep v, and was going to be upgrading soon. But fuck, I was gonna keep it as a spare. The hub is OK from what I could tell, have to re-lace it to a new rim to get the cogs off probably. Pics to come.

Upon entering my LBS 15 blocks later, and inspecting the bike further, my cranks (RD’s) were also totaled. 3 of the star arms along with the chainring bent (from hitting the ground and scraping I supposed).

Frame?

Not even a fucking scratch!!! Talk about a fucking relief.

So the good in this is that I got to get new stuff. For a wheel I just got a silver Phil to an Open Pro, with DT swiss spokes. 32-3x. I was not aware Phils were so fucking heavy, but that was the only hub of quality they had for sale each. Had nothing but pairs. Wanted Dura Ace, but am definitely not gonna repack after every rain.

As for the crankset I went the Miche Primato Track cranks. They come with a 49t ring that’s black but went with a 50t Specialites silver and am now running 50:17, it’s really nice. Glad I went with these over 75’s. They look fuckin ace.

Downside is I’m in debt a good amount to my LBS (thank the mighty bear again for awesome shop owners and personal accounts, though). It’s been slow as shit work wise, economy is super hard on messenger companies right now, and there’s been Jewish holidays for the past 3 weeks. Now it’s time to bust ass and possibly look other shit to do, because the messenger thing is not pulling the moolah it used to. But I’m 19, I’ve got some time.

So yea, tarckfriends. BE FUCKING CAREFUL! Hit and runs suck, you’re helpless. But having an excuse to get new shit is cool. Even if it hurts a tad financially.

Frankstoneline, PM coming your way about that fork I owe you, haha.

2

thank :bear: you’re ok.

and death to hit and run drivers. cold, ruthless death.

3

fuck man, glad to hear you’re ok. that could’ve been a helluva lot worse.

4

i figure if you’re 19 you are probably just getting your accident out of the way early. now you can look forward to a long, accident free life

5

I sure fucking hope so. This is actually the second time I’ve been seriously hit by a car, and my second hit and run… First one, I hit my head pretty hard and blacked out for a minute or so and had a hella bruised up face. And I had road GASH, not rash on my wrist. I was looking at my white meat.

I didn’t hit my head this time, but helmets are awesome. Wear them.

6

glad to hear you walked away from it dude, i know what its like.

july 29th '07 i was t-boned by a van or suv, which resulted in surgery/week in the hospital/5 months of physio and countless other bullshiteries.

luckily bystanders caught his plates and maybe in a few years i’ll be able to afford things i never in my life would, specifically a university education and a custom frameset.

the fucked up thing is this dude was caught (after the fact) , but he didnt loose his licence or anything…

ps. for a messenger grindin through the slow, you buy some bling shit buddy.

7

Not having to pay all at once, and having extra income here and there that sometimes pays more than what I make a week helps. A lot of messengers usually have something else on the side. Whether it be legal or not.

But now is a time where that other income could come in a bit faster…

8

that sucks bad, getting new stuff is nice though…

9

Too bad about your parts. Which affinity frame are you riding? I’m still thinking of getting one at some point.

Glad you’re not hurt. Replacing parts sucks, but it’s better than a hit and run hospital stay.

10

Oh. Man. What is going on? Why is everyone getting hit?

I hope you heal soon.

11

that rocks that you’re ok. i hope that motherfucker dies a slow painful death. congrats on that new wheel too, that sounds smooth.

12

man that sucks. i’m glad you didn’t get too seriously injured.

13

Now that it’s the next day, I feel soreness in my neck and my ribs, but nothing to complain about. Damn fucktard drivers.

14

tarck posse going boondock saints style cleanin the streets of car service drivers?

15

Glad you’re ok. I had my accident at 19 too, after only a few months as a courier. That was three accident-free years ago. I wish you all the luck I was fortunate enough to enjoy.

Also, have you thought of buying a road bike? They’re safer, faster and not as hard on your body. I’d say I make an extra 100$/week on the roadie.

16

I used to have a road bike, converted it to try out the single speed thing… :colbert: (it was a POS anyway)

I want a roadie real bad, but every time I’ve had the money for one I shit happened or it wasn’t what I really wanted. I want an old Cannondale built up, I’m not really fond of any of the new road bikes available… .Except for Felts. Felts look fuckin awesome.

Pics. Time to paint the Aerospoke yet again (old frame was black, hence the horrible matching blue)

17

Lay off the paint pens and maybe people will stop running you over. :colbert:

Srlsy tho, stay out of trffic or the idotz will tak over.

18

But the paint pens are what get me all the nasty looks by Williamsburg douche’s. I like laughing at them giving me the piista face.

19

20


This is such an awesome picture.