Always.
I've had some great rides lately, so having one bad one isn't so bad. Just wish it wasn't the way this one went.
About 7 miles into a road ride I noticed my chain was jumping, so I stopped to look at it, and a pin from one of the links had worked its way loose. No problem, that's why I carry a chain tool. So I pull off the road into the shade and go to work. I get the pin out, but it falls all the way out, so now I have to take out a link. Well, I'm on the road bike, and for some reason I don't have any extra links, so now I have to jerry rig it to get home.
Here starts the problem. My chain tool is getting old, so when the pin from the chain tool pushed out the chain link pin, it also locked itself inside the link, and when I went to take it out, the tool pin came out from the tool. Now it's really broken.
And, now I'm screwed. A broken chain and a broken chain tool. I tried to get it to work, but no go. And for the first time in a long time, I thought before I left, No need to take cash or card on todays ride, Ill be fine So, once I knew the chain was dead and I had to go buy a new one, and that the chain tool was dead and I had to get a new one, it turned into time to let loose a bit of pent up frustration and anger. So, right there on the side of Santa Teresa Blvd out in Coyote Valley near Bailey Rd, actually right next to a rather busy fruit stand, I let loose on this chain, beating it against the ground and throwing it into a pile of gravel.
That felt good.
Alas, it was time to walk. I walked about a mile back, in close-to-100 degree heat, when someone was nice enough to pull over and give me a lift all the way home! What a guy!
He said he was a member of the San Jose Cycling Club, so I think I will check them out. I know they are more of a racing oriented group, but I think I will take a look anyway. I'm definitely not a racer, but it might be nice to check out some group rides.
Anyway, long story short, I broke down on a ride, and a complete stranger was nice enough to stop and not only offer help, but go completely out of his way to make sure I got home. It's things like that that give me hope in the human race.
If only more folks like that existed.
I've had some great rides lately, so having one bad one isn't so bad. Just wish it wasn't the way this one went.
About 7 miles into a road ride I noticed my chain was jumping, so I stopped to look at it, and a pin from one of the links had worked its way loose. No problem, that's why I carry a chain tool. So I pull off the road into the shade and go to work. I get the pin out, but it falls all the way out, so now I have to take out a link. Well, I'm on the road bike, and for some reason I don't have any extra links, so now I have to jerry rig it to get home.
Here starts the problem. My chain tool is getting old, so when the pin from the chain tool pushed out the chain link pin, it also locked itself inside the link, and when I went to take it out, the tool pin came out from the tool. Now it's really broken.
And, now I'm screwed. A broken chain and a broken chain tool. I tried to get it to work, but no go. And for the first time in a long time, I thought before I left, No need to take cash or card on todays ride, Ill be fine So, once I knew the chain was dead and I had to go buy a new one, and that the chain tool was dead and I had to get a new one, it turned into time to let loose a bit of pent up frustration and anger. So, right there on the side of Santa Teresa Blvd out in Coyote Valley near Bailey Rd, actually right next to a rather busy fruit stand, I let loose on this chain, beating it against the ground and throwing it into a pile of gravel.
That felt good.
Alas, it was time to walk. I walked about a mile back, in close-to-100 degree heat, when someone was nice enough to pull over and give me a lift all the way home! What a guy!
He said he was a member of the San Jose Cycling Club, so I think I will check them out. I know they are more of a racing oriented group, but I think I will take a look anyway. I'm definitely not a racer, but it might be nice to check out some group rides.
Anyway, long story short, I broke down on a ride, and a complete stranger was nice enough to stop and not only offer help, but go completely out of his way to make sure I got home. It's things like that that give me hope in the human race.
If only more folks like that existed.
dmac:
If only more folks like that existed..... indeed! Sounds like you're enjoying a good summer and getting out to play a lot. Still have your teaching schedule massaged to perfection? It kinda sounds like it! 
Those of us who are non-teachers and are stuck in office buildings 50 hours a week just wanna be you right about now. Summer days are a limited resource. Glad you're spending well.
Those of us who are non-teachers and are stuck in office buildings 50 hours a week just wanna be you right about now. Summer days are a limited resource. Glad you're spending well.