Total: 1066 miles
In the book "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" the author, Robert Pirsig, refers to "gumption traps." He describes them as the bumps on the road that keep you from accomplishing a designated task. Today was the "mother" of all gumption traps. This was the first day I have ever had double digit flats, 10 total! My rear end hurts from the bike seat, my calves and quads hurt from peddling, but at dinner it was my hands cramping from repairing tires all day. Bill's pump is terrific and in a short time I will have to buy him a new one.We limped into College Station, Texas late the day after traveling 63 miles at 11 mph against a fierce head wind. For all of you non-math majors, this was an average of one flat every 6.2 miles (10,000 meters or 10 kilometers). Over the last 150 miles or so my tires disintegrated and it was impossible to do anything except ride on and fit flat after flat after flat!
Let me tell you that this was our lucky day! We are staying with Ann and Austin Daily who are members of the Affordable Travel Club for seniors. Since I had two flats less than 2 miles from their home, Austin started looking for us in the car. Ann provided beer shortly after we arrived and then they took us to dinner with other ATC members, Anne and Kevin O'Neill. Tomorrow we will hit the bike shops and I will buy new tires, tubes, shorts, gloves, and anything else that will help me get to San Diego, California. We will also tour Texas A&M and the Bush Library. Let me explain a little more about our dinner experience. As we entered the restaurant a group of coeds (maybe 12 to 15 total) were ahead of us in line. They were celebrating a birthday, but one, Laini had just gotten engaged (see ring picture).
They shared the birthday cookie (cake) with us and gathered for a group photo (see picture). Not a bad ending for a couple of old geezers on bikes and believe me we needed a hefty shot of optimism.
This is the Old Land Cruisers still trying to suck it up on the road.
In the book "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" the author, Robert Pirsig, refers to "gumption traps." He describes them as the bumps on the road that keep you from accomplishing a designated task. Today was the "mother" of all gumption traps. This was the first day I have ever had double digit flats, 10 total! My rear end hurts from the bike seat, my calves and quads hurt from peddling, but at dinner it was my hands cramping from repairing tires all day. Bill's pump is terrific and in a short time I will have to buy him a new one.We limped into College Station, Texas late the day after traveling 63 miles at 11 mph against a fierce head wind. For all of you non-math majors, this was an average of one flat every 6.2 miles (10,000 meters or 10 kilometers). Over the last 150 miles or so my tires disintegrated and it was impossible to do anything except ride on and fit flat after flat after flat!
Let me tell you that this was our lucky day! We are staying with Ann and Austin Daily who are members of the Affordable Travel Club for seniors. Since I had two flats less than 2 miles from their home, Austin started looking for us in the car. Ann provided beer shortly after we arrived and then they took us to dinner with other ATC members, Anne and Kevin O'Neill. Tomorrow we will hit the bike shops and I will buy new tires, tubes, shorts, gloves, and anything else that will help me get to San Diego, California. We will also tour Texas A&M and the Bush Library. Let me explain a little more about our dinner experience. As we entered the restaurant a group of coeds (maybe 12 to 15 total) were ahead of us in line. They were celebrating a birthday, but one, Laini had just gotten engaged (see ring picture).
They shared the birthday cookie (cake) with us and gathered for a group photo (see picture). Not a bad ending for a couple of old geezers on bikes and believe me we needed a hefty shot of optimism.This is the Old Land Cruisers still trying to suck it up on the road.
Hope you have new shorts and tires!! Lots of love. Lee
ReplyDeleteMick, last Saturday night, Lee, Judy, and I went to a bluegrass concert at NRV -- Dailey and Vincent. I must tell you that your ten flats yesterday beat the crap out of Dailey and Vincent. They did not have nearly so many flats; in fact, they were quite sharp!
ReplyDeleteHope your rest day and your shopping succeeded. Hope the winds headwinds relent.
Take care....
Glad to hear you guys are having fun! Now I know who to call if I should ever get on my bike and have a flat! Be safe.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn
Hey Bill, I've been following your exploits and bragging about both of you. Enjoy your time on the road together!
ReplyDeleteBrian, (and Kim and Wyatt)