The Ride That Wasn't

Things at work have continued to be at break-neck speed. Now that all the faculty and staff are back and school started on Tuesday, they're a bunch of demanding folk. Which is good because busy means time flies, but bad because I seem to have lost my skill at remaining calm. I'm usually the one who stays calm, cool, and collected (in control of her feelings, etc.). But this week I just see everyone as sniveling, demanding, cry babies. When I worked in hospice, we had great stress management meetings. I need one of those right now.

Any who. This morning I felt thinner so I went to the altar (scale) and stepped on. YES! My prayers were answered, halle-lu-ya. Two more pounds are gone from my soon-to-be-svelte bod. Thanks, I needed that :D

When I got home I suited up and Nellie and I went for our ride. My daily route is a lap around the neighborhood which comes in at 1.5 miles per lap. Most days I ride for 40 minutes and comes out to about 8 miles. I made it the first lap and almost talked myself into heading home. Just wasn't feelin' it. But like a good girl, I stopped, selected my Sheryl Crow playlist, took a swig of water, and off I went.

I rode about 1/8 of a mile and POW-WHOOOOOOOOSSSSSHHHH! HISSSSSSSS. What the cr*p was that? I stopped, got off the bike and sure enough, poor Nellie's back tire was flat as a pancake. I haven't had a flat since I was 14 and I'd taken my 10-speed to the gas station to air up my tires. Never, ever, do that. As soon as I rode 20 feet, the tire exploded!

Anyway, Nellie and I walked home. I think we were about a mile from home when the big bang happened. It felt like 5 miles. Now I know why I choose to ride rather than walk. The humidity was so bad it felt like I was wearing a sauna suit, you know those kind that say you'll sweat off the pounds? It was miserable. And I must be the slowest walking human alive. Seriously, I walk at a snails pace. The neighbors were sweet, they all wanted to know if I was okay or if I needed some air. Lesson learned. I need to get a spare tube and attach my little air pump and learn to change my tire. I don't want this to happen to me again.

Oh, and on top of all the sweating and turtles-pace walking, I got a blister on my foot. My feet just don't like being rubbed the wrong way, lol.

So, tomorrow, I'm off to the bike shop to get Nellie a new tube and me a lesson on changing a tire. Should be fun.

Have a super weekend. Good riding, walking, or whatever makes you happy. And don't forget to drink your water.