Getting to the Coffee Shop the Long (Fast) Way

The alarm rang again this morning at 4 am.  Again, I hit snooze (just once) then when it rang I climbed out of bed and got ready and was out the door on the bike by 4:45.  There were two worrisome mechanical issues as I pushed off.  I’ve got a slow rear tube leak and there is a noise in the front wheel hub.  I maintained attentiveness to both of these throughout the ride.

The morning was dark and I barely recall large segments of the ride before joining the rest of the crew at the Rusty Bridge.  I rode the B&A loop back to the trail then south to Jones Station Rd then down College Parkway until I determined that it was time to turn back.  B&A from Jones Station has much less traffic at 5:30 than it does at 6:30.  I was treated to a peach/salmon colored sunrise this morning.  By the time our regular ride started, I had 14 miles on the odometer and it was light enough that lights were not necessary.  The joy of riding the 5:45 ride during the next couple of months in daylight.

I checked again on the tire.  It was holding.  There were a couple of spots during the ride that the front hub started squealing pretty loud.  I’ve got to get that wheel in to the shop.

It didn’t take long for the guys to demonstrate that they were ready to ride fast this morning.  We were flying down the trail at 20+ mph in generally a tight paceline.  Everyone but me opted for Askewton’s Hill.  I simply remained on Old County Road trying not to get caught and pushing the pace as much as I could without completely exploding.  I didn’t make it to the end of the trail before they caught and passed me.  Some days are like that.

The pace was easier on the way back north, especially after Clint and I let the fast guys go.  They had to wait for the coffee shop to open.  We arrived just after it opened.

Let me tell you, I could get used to sitting in a coffee shop for a half hour or more every morning.  I thoroughly enjoy that time.

Soon enough, we pried ourselves away from coffee and back to the rest of our days.  I ended up with just under 30 miles on the morning.

The tire held up, but as I was later removing the front wheel to take it to the shop, the rear tire was getting soft.  I checked it yesterday, even running it through a sink full of water but could find no leaks.  If I were to guess, I think that the valve isn’t quite holding.  I will have to replace that tube before I ride it again.

Bible Verses of the Day:

But if it was stolen, restitution shall be made to its owner. (Exodus 22:12 NRSV)

Then the apostles and the elders, with the consent of the whole church, decided to choose men from among their members and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leaders among the brothers, (Acts 15:22 NRSV)