gridlore: Doug looking off camera with a grin (Default)
[personal profile] gridlore
Beware the day after the Ides of March..

Went out for a morning ride. I planned to go down to Santa Teresa, and see if I felt up to going all the way around the long route I talked about yesterday. But when I got to Winfield (about halfway between Almaden and Santa Teresa on Blossom Hill) I discovered two things.

1. Somebody had a fender-bender there, and

2. They swept all the broken glass into the bike lane.

I literally had nowhere to go. Heavy traffic on my left, and more glass on the right. I made it through the intersection, but on the other side I discovered my rear tire was completely flat. Luckily, Pacific Bicycle was only a block away. Holding the rear end up (to prevent damage to the rim and tire), I walked the bike there. Fixing it would cost about $15, and of course, I left my wallet at home. *sigh* Mile round-trip walk to retrieve wallet.

Jeff, the guy at Pacific Cycle, showed me the half-inch tear in my tube, and the piece of glass that made it. He topped off both tires to the proper inflation, and was quite helpful. He showed me how a luggage rack would sit on my bike, and yes, they will install it. So when I can afford that, I'm going to them. They overcharge for bikes, but everything else is quite reasonable.

Onto the details of an abbreviated ride.

Distance: 1.615 miles
Maximum Speed: 16.0 mph
Average Speed: 11.4 mph
Time: 8m, 33s

This was done, of course, in two halves.

One last thing. I would like some feedback on these posts, especially when I reach milestones in distance or speed. This is actually hard for me to do, stick with an exercise regime, and the support of my friends is helpful. I'm not talking about everyday "Woo-Hoos!" but a little commentary would be nice.

Doug on his bike icon coming soon.

Date: 16 Mar 2004 11:27 (UTC)
From: [identity profile] valkyrwench.livejournal.com
Well, damn - I can't just sit back in silent admiration and envy?

Sorry to hear about the glass on the bike lane and the flat tire.

Date: 16 Mar 2004 11:30 (UTC)
From: [identity profile] cmdr-zoom.livejournal.com
My feelings exactly, to all of the above.
I won't say how long it's been since my last flat, as that will guarantee one shortly...

Date: 16 Mar 2004 11:52 (UTC)
From: [identity profile] eleri.livejournal.com
just to be snarky, I'd take pictures of the glass in the bike lane, and send that and a copy of your bill for tire replacement to the city :)

Date: 16 Mar 2004 13:01 (UTC)
From: [identity profile] cmdr-zoom.livejournal.com
Tempting, very tempting...

Date: 17 Mar 2004 06:57 (UTC)
From: [identity profile] gridlore.livejournal.com
An email to the city has been sent, point out that street sweeping has become very irregular. I did include the details of my flat tire.

We'll see what happens.

Date: 16 Mar 2004 14:10 (UTC)
kengr: (Default)
From: [personal profile] kengr
Well, I can't do the fun stuff you do, as my bike "computer" isn't nearly as flexible as yours. But you encourage me to get my tires reinflated and start riding again.

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gridlore: Doug looking off camera with a grin (Default)
Douglas Berry

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