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Call of Shame

It's the call no cyclist wants to make.

Yet, knowing one's limitations out on the road, it's a call that is necessary some times for guys like me.

There it is...

Flat as Twiggy.

(pardon the 60's reference)

Just 5.8 miles into a ride today out on a two-lane country road I flatted. First flat of the season. I'm not sure why.

The tire is relatively new and looks OK, so it must have been some sort of pinch flat....or I hit something in the road that my quick tire inspection missed.

Anyway, just as a vehicle was passing me there seemed to be an added sound to the car's engine and the wind noise. It was a hissing sound. It took my brain a few seconds to put it together, and by the time I did the bike went wobbly.

DAMMIT. A FLAT!

Now, had it been in the front I may have attempted to change out the tube myself. The rear? That's another story. I have tried before and failed before. My brain just isn't wired with the common sense to get that rear wheel on and off with a dirty old chain in the way! I knew my goose was cooked.

So I made the call of shame to my wife and waited for her to come get me. Luckily, as I said, I was only 5.8 miles from home.

Here's the twist that gives me hope!

As I stood there on the side of the road waiting for my own personal sag wagon, a lady in an SUV intentionally gave up her right turn to go straight toward me. She pulled over and asked if I needed help/a ride.

I thanked her for the stop (when many others simply zoomed past me) but explained that I had a ride on the way.

"Are you sure," she said, "I don't mind at all."

She even asked what had happened.

In that moment I wanted to make up some sort of grand story about a large truck narrowly missing me only because of my brave bike handling skills as I intentionally dove into a ditch.

Anything but telling the truth....which was the fact that I simply had a flat back tire I couldn't fix on my own.

I went with honesty, although as I told her I DID use the words 'complete blowout" just to make it seem more dramatic.

How nice of her to stop and offer help. I think she too must have been a rider because as she pulled away she told me to keep on riding.

I shall.

But only after someone else fixes my flat back tire this week.

RIDE ROUTE

Um, almost a route

5.8 miles until the flat back tire blowout/Average Speed= N/A

Sunny, 78, Wind 10-12 mph

2020 SEASON MILES

Indoor: 125.6

Outdoor: 996.1

 

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