A Sliver of Blue Glass – June 24th Bike Ride
When I left home for this evening’s ride the skies were cloudy but rain did not seem to be an immediate threat. The temperature was about 88 degrees due to the cloud cover and some weather front to the west northwest. The wind was kind of strange because as I rode to the south it seemed like a tailwind from the low frontal resistance. I figured this should be a fast ride in order to get the distance I had planned in before the weather turned rainy.
The ride was moving a long nicely as I headed towards Huffman. Traffic was not a problem. As usual I met about 10 riders heading west while I was going east on Old Atascocita Road. No train blockage tonight although later on I saw the train moving to Huffman which would have blocked the road again. It was later than yesterday. As I rode into Huffman I could see the western sky. Dark gray clouds were gathered to the west southwest and the sun was a strange orange when it broke through the clouds.
A quick stop at the Huffman Chevron and I was going west towards the clouds. About a mile from the Chevron station I rode through some road debris and was thinking this would not be a good time for a flat since I was racing the oncoming weather. This is where the sliver of blue glass decided to catch a ride in my rear tire. I made it to the Donald’s Donut shop and removed the rear wheel to look for the reason the air had left the tube. Just to the right of the valve stem was the little blue sliver of glass. Now my somewhat weak patching skill was called on. I pulled the tube from the tire enough to locate the hole. Applied the cement and then the patch. Aired up the tire and waited a couple of minutes to see if it leaks. No leaks so I hit the road to race the weather home. I make it home as the street lights are getting bright. 30 minutes after I get home the thunder and lightning started followed by some heavy rain. We need the rain and I did not get caught in it. Whew!
Today’s riding statistics:
- Miles = 26.89
- riding time = 1:47:37
- average pace = 4:00 min/mile
- average speed = 15.0 mph
- max speed = 20.0 mph
- average cadence = 80.3 rpm
- max cadence = 102 rpm
- climb 161 ft., descend 170 ft., max elevation 103 ft.
- June miles 426.11
- YTD miles 2466.86
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