The fork was bent, and the aluminum tubes were bent to the point that repair would have cost more than a new frame. Neil Medin at Bicycle Alley scrambled to get Stewart an updated Vitus frame shipped by two-day freight and put her salvaged components on it in time for the next weekend's ride. Mollin and Stewart had replacement costs covered by a homeowners policy, less a deductible. His front wheel and handlebar were destroyed, the rear wheel was slightly pretzeled, the right Ergo shifter was messed up but fixable, but the frame had nary a scratch. But hey, I'll make another couple thousand someday.
Emotional acceptance comes eventually.
Mollin had to wait about six weeks for his new ride, relegated to his old touring bike in the meantime and fretting that the new bike just wouldn't be the same. Ilacqua found solace as soon as he got his new wheels spinning, which only took four days. It's just a piece of steel. Wheel Crunchers also develop, albeit belatedly, strategies for avoiding those nasty garage doors. Hudson and Acton approved their shares earlier this spring, and Marlboro is also on board.