Holy Moly

Gravel road coated in fresh snow

Monster Schwinn taking a rest, note Moosemitts.

Today was the day that I had selected to make myself suffer. It had been a while since I mounted my bike outside since we are getting the worst winter in a long time. I mounted the newly built rear wheel on my Schwinn monster bike. I got rid of the rear brake since I never use it and the front was also useless since I mounted an aero rim and the canti pads were hitting the spokes. I rolled out with my redwing boots on the flats and my Northface goretex jacket since we were getting dumped. I made it out to the gravel roads and I found a rhythm and was having a good time. My boots were working well and the thrift store merino sweater with the smartwool undershirts were the ticket. I rode out an hour and then made the U-turn and then things happened. At a distance someone decided to let loose of their German Shepherd. I figured with the snow he could easily catch me so I u-turned again and decided to take busy Annie Glidden home. After hearing about G-Pickle getting it from a dog I chickened out.

As soon as I turned my rear wheel went flat. I cursed myself for not finding a frame pump for the schwinn. My co2 cartridge would freeze and by now the snow was coming down hard. I started to walk and after 5 miles I was coming to some houses were I would take shelter and attempt a flat repair. As I got close to the houses a kind man in a pickup truck stopped and insisted that I take a ride home.

He understood what I was doing but reassured me the weather would get better and I would have better days to ride in. I came home and discovered a 2 mm long minute wire embedded in the tire. This was a discarded tire I got out of the garbage and obviously we did not spend a lot of time looking for this little wire.

Wire out, new tube and I am ready to attack February. Must wear second pair of socks, take frame pump and be ready.

Out,

Ari