Flat tire!

I-84, originally uploaded by Monkeykun.

About a mile away from work this morning I noticed it was getting harder to pedal, something wasn't right. Sure enough, the rear tire went flat. This time I was equipped with a patch kit and wrench but I thought to hell with it, I'll walk the last mile. About a minute after I started walking my bike down the street, a commuter on a recumbent pulling a BOB trailer slowed down and asked if everything was okay. I smiled and told him I was fine, and that I was almost to work, thanks for stopping. A little further down the road another commuter, this time on a road bike slowed and asked if I needed anything. I thanked him and explained that I was almost to work. I was amazed! Most people who drive cars wouldn't think to stop and offer help to a fellow stranded motorist but this morning the bicycle community proved the opposite. During my lunch hour I took the rear rim off, borrowed the shop truck and drove to a LBS. I planned on buying a tube and installing it myself but I ran out of patience dealing with all the things going on at work and I probably would've thrown the rim across the shop, so I had them install one for me.

Tonight I stopped at the Locust Grove overpass and snapped the picture above. As I drank from my water bottle and watched the cars snail along, I concluded the inconvenience of an occasional flat tire is still worth the freedom my bicycle gives me.