Successful Ride

Yesterday I had a great 40-mile bike ride with my dad! We went up to Sanger and rode around Lake Ray Roberts. The weather was wonderful - in the 80's with a slight breeze. More importantly, I didn't wreck, fall down or get a flat.

Let's recap my cycling experiences for the last month:

• Bike wreck - Totally wiped out at the end of a ride. I had 2 flats, dragging breaks, a large bruise on my hip (I still can't lay on my right side), and a scuffed up elbow.
• Another flat - Went for a ride with my roommate half way into it I got a flat. Luckily, a nice guy named Chuck helped me change my tube.
• Bike fail - Started to go on a ride and nearly wrecked while going down a hill... My hands were shaky & I couldn't keep the front wheel steady. It was a nice thought though...
  
• Bike fail (reprise) - My roommate and I got all ready for our bike ride; we were in the car literally pulling out of the apt complex and I looked at the clock. "Ah man! I have to meet my parents in Lewisville in an hour. There's no way I have time to ride right now!" So we turned around and I did the ride on my CycleOps.
• Pre-ride flat - With my luck, my dad said I needed a spare tube before we went for our ride. So that morning, I stopped by Richardson Bike Mart to pick one up. While I was there, they noticed that my tire was fraying in one spot and said I needed a new one. "It's only $20 and I can change it right now." Okay, no problem. Bike fixed - off to meet my dad... By the time I took my bike off my bike rack, the tire was completely flat and would not hold air. What the heck? So I went into Bluebonnet Bicycles (where I was supposed to meet my dad) and they said the guy must have pinched the tube when he put the new tire on, because there were 3 holes in it. Seriously?!? So, I got another new tube. Just in case, I now have 2 spare tubes.

In light of all this, I am really glad the ride went well yesterday. I was beginning to think I was fated to never ride again! Phew. Dodged that bullet. So next Saturday I'm planning to ride with Richardson Bike Mart's beginner group - that is, after they refund the pinched bike tube.

Road Rash - a.k.a. Bragging Rights

Evidence of my first bike wreck - one minute I was on the sidewalk, the next minute I was in the air falling in slow motion - hit the ground - skid, skid, skid. What a trip - literally. I only regret that Adam didn't get it on video!

My bike was fine, but the back break now drags and BOTH tires went flat. Looks like I'll be visiting the guys at the bike shop again... At least this all happened near the end of the ride - we did about 17 mi through Grapevine and it was great!