I started out this morning forgetting to put air in my tires prior to walking downstairs with my bike. I never do that! It was back up the stairs again, clickety clack on the concrete stairs with my cycling shoes on, only this time I had the air pump in my hand. And then it was right back up the stairs to secure the pump back inside our condo. That stair-climber workout ought to count for something, don’t you think?
After being escorted across a busy intersection by one of our lovely county school crossing guards, I made my way to the meet-up spot at Bogart’s for the meet with some of my crazy cycling buddies. We were all crazy today because the temperature had fallen to 57.2F with the wind coming out of the north at 17 mph with gusts to 25 mph. (I can faintly hear you U.S. Northerners and Europeans snickering at me)
The ride to the bagel and coffee shop was pretty much routine regardless of the steady wind in our faces. Isn't it always in our faces?
Today at our renowned coffee shop, I enjoyed a free bagel and shmear with my paid-for coffee. What a deal! Sign up to receive email advertisements and you, too, can occasionally enjoy a freebie.
Riding back to the meet-up spot was a joy compared to riding into the wind. To break up the return ride, we stopped in at Tom’s place. It was there that I checked the air in my rear tire. You see, after enjoying a free bagel and paid-for coffee, and after hopping on my bike for the return ride, I discovered that my rear tire was flat. How annoying!
With the help of Sandy, Steve and Ron, we were back on the road in less than five minutes. Problem was, my compressed-air thingamabob put too much air into the tire. We initially put air into the new tire with an emergency hand pump, and then afterwards I used the compressed-air thingy.
Anyway, in checking the air pressure at Tom’s place, I learned that we had over 140 pounds in the tire. Almost 145 lbs.! Way too much! My rear, or I should say the rear of the bike, was bouncing all over the place. I was darn lucky that the tire didn't blow during the eight-mile ride to Tom’s place.
To add a twist and some miles to today’s ride, at the end of my ride I rode through the county park that is located ½ mile from our gated community. I wanted to see if the paid guests at last weekend’s Chili Cook-Off left the place in a mess. They did, but I learned that several groups of workers had already cleaned up the place.
It was good to see the park cleared of all debris, which helped to make the last two miles of today’s ride very enjoyable.
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