I’ve been told that bad things happen in threes. Based on today’s ride, I tend to agree. The “ride” finished with a bit of good luck, but I’ll get to that.
Today is the last day of 2009. The weather lately has been rainy, snowy, rainy, cold, rainy, and gray. Oh, and cold. But as I’ve had the past couple of weeks off from work I’ve braved the conditions and have put in my share of hours on the bike despite the crummy weather. The masochist in me actually enjoys the cold discomfort of gray, lonely rides in the wind and drizzle. My toes often go numb in the cold and they ache after the first hour as I turn over the pedals, but that seems to be the kind of pain you forget.
Anyway, today’s weather was on par with the recent trend, though a bit warmer…in the low- to mid-40s, so I didn’t put on my bike pants. I did put on 4 layers up top, but my legs were al fresco. It was just fine. I was a couple hours into my ride when I got to a particularly rough railroad crossing, where I jumped the tracks as I always do there. This time, however, I jumped right into a small pothole on the far side, landing hard on my back wheel. I could tell immediately that the bike was off-kilter.
I pulled off to the side and check the rear wheel. Yep, there was a distinct warp and I was now rubbing my left brake pad at a certain point. I turned the bike over and adjusted it so that the warped sidewall didn’t rub, but without a spoke tool I would have to ride home with a slight wobble. C’est la vie, I thought. Serves me right for not being careful. Bad thing #1.
About 15 minutes later I noticed that the smooth road just got rougher. Yep, back tire was going flat. Bad thing #2. Okay, no worries. I had a replacement tube in my jersey pocket for just this scenario. Desolate country roads left behind, I was in a populated area by now, so I got off onto the sidewalk and went to work replacing the rear tube. Tube switched, wheel back on the bike, time to air it up. I was getting cold by now. Would be glad when this was done and I was back on the bike, pedaling home. I put my mini-pump to work and just when I was getting a decent air pressure, “DINK!” …I broke the stem off of the new tube. yeah. bad thing #3.
I took stock of my situation and decided to use the old tube with temp-patches for repair (I had a snakebite/pinchflat puncture). Tubes changed, pump, pump, pump, but to no avail. the patches wouldn’t hold. Awesome. I put everything back in my pockets and began to hoof it. I was about 11 miles from home. I was sweaty and, by now, beginning to get quite cold.
As luck would have it, about a mile into my walk of shame a passing motorist slowed and asked if I needed a lift. My angel was a fellow cyclist with a hatchback. I told her what city I lived in to ensure she was serious about the lift offer and she didn’t hesitate. She was on her way back from a workout and not in any hurry to be anywhere specific. Yay. We loaded my bike and had a very cool conversation about beach volleyball (her main sports passion), beer, and cycling as she drove me home. I hope I can repay her for that kindness one day. If nothing else, I have a karma debt to pay forward.
So, farewell 2009. You were good to me and my company and I hope that today’s activities were just a last-gasp fit of mischief, not a portent of things to come.
#1 by Carolyn Wood at December 31st, 2009
I’d like to know, please, how many swear words you said or thought during all of this.
You write a good story, Andy. I enjoyed reading it even though I haven’t owned a bike in many years.
#2 by Andy at December 31st, 2009
#3 by Bob Simonette at December 31st, 2009
Andy – I know I’m showing my age with this but what a bummer! I’m sure glad someone came to your rescue.
I do have to say that you put me to shame, I’ve been making all the excuses for not riding over the holidays – too cold, wet, windy – I’m not worthy.
Happy new year, may it be a blessed and prosperous one.
#4 by Andy at January 1st, 2010
@Bob: Yes, a bummer indeed. But all’s well that ends well. As to the cold weather riding, I’d not be so quick to chalk it up to being iron-cored. It’s more of a habit, which would tend to suggest that I’m more weak willed than some. I train out of habit rather than out of some superior sort of discipline. I guess that discipline is required in order to develop the habit, but once it’s developed discipline is more of a facade.
But next time the weather is unappetizing and you feel guilt for not training, just picture me scowling at you. Not sure if that’ll have any effect, but at least your guilt will be compounded.
Have a great 2010!