Today's weather was the best of a nice week. Temperatures were close to 60 and there was a brisk wind out of the southwest that could blow your cheeks open, but otherwise a sunny and gorgeous day in the Shenandoah.
You see, I was crancking out some nice tempo south of Natural Chimneys. I was shoveling wind and looking forward to a change of direction for a nice tailwind ride to back to Harrisonburg.
I guess the glass in the road had other plans. I fixed my flat, but in the meantime wasted half of my Co2. No big deal, I thought to myself, it is a big air and can fill 2 tires. Well, just as I got back on the bike I heard a great BOOSH!! All of the air exhaled like the snort of an angry bull. My butt lowered as the bike sank down and rested on the rim… Not good.
I assessed my options. I somehow didn't seem too bothered because it was still a good day for a ride... even if it was on the rim. So, I ripped the valve stem out (that's the part that can wreck any good rim ride) and made a B-line for Bridgewater. The good thing was it was mostly down wind so I was rolling along at good clip. Then the cross wind became a problem. Combined with the camber of the road it made for some nervous moments when the rear of my bike would slide out to the side! In and instant I would go from just riding to fighting to stay upright! On one section that was dead strait (with no cars in sight) I actually rode the left side of the road as the camber pushed the rear of the bike toward the wind. It was nice for a little break but don't do that! Not good for a rim ride. I got back to the right side.
Finally I made it back as far as Bridgewater and scoped out my options. I saw a gas station with few folks filling up. A man who looked like he worked for a living was filling up his pick up? "Hi, are you heading for Harrisonburg?" Yes, he said, throw it in the back. Wow it was that easy. We drove with the window down and talked farm supply and bike racing like old friends.
Indeed a nice day for a ride, even if it was in a pick up.
Thanks Phil!
Thanks for reading,
Jeremiah
Labels: A Day in the Life, Training
posted by Jeremiah Bishop # 8:12 AM 
