Best Laid Plans and All That

Some days you've just got to listen to the signs. Take today, for instance. 

The weather app on my phone predicted rain at 2:00 p.m. I know this is just a prediction, but these modern weather guys are pretty spot-on for the most part.  Thus, with a few hours of dry weather before me, I planned to hop on OB, (orange bike) my new bike from Double Tall Cycles, aka Dave, and take her for a little spin.  So after I took Nora Jane to school, and after a quick walk around the blocks with Jack E Boy, (that's about all he can do these days), I ran upstairs to change into my cycling clothes.  I had, literally, just pulled on my last sock when I heard the rain come roaring in.  I thought, you've got to be kidding me!  It's only 9:48 a.m.! 

Discouraged, I sat on the bed, wishing I lived in a sunny climate, and tried to determine my plan of action: trade my riding clothes for running shorts and go for a run? Or, keep the riding clothes and hit the trainer in the basement?  

The latter sounded like less work, so I headed downstairs only to find a flat rear tire.  Oh brother! Already?  I've only taken her on four or five rides!  How could she have a flat already?  Maybe I'm not supposed to go for a ride today.  But not being one to listen to signs, I pressed on.  Besides, my girlfriends are getting ready for our Chelan Ride in a few weeks and there is NO way they are going to kick my butt.

Grateful that the tire change will occur in a nice, warm, dry garage, I got busy.  After I got the bike reassembled, I gave the tires a quick once-over and discovered that the rear tire was flat again!  What is going on today?  

So, again, and much more carefully, I searched the tire and there it was, the culprit: a teeny tiny piece of metal.  

By this time, the sun was out.  Blue skies were even spotted among the clouds.  But, alas, I am sitting at the computer for I am out of tubes, without a car, and hungry.  So, instead of riding, I'll eat my lunch, finish some laundry, and wait for Dave to come home with my new tubes!  Who knows, I may even talk him into going out for a ride with me :)

If it's not raining that is; unlike me, he does NOT mess with that sign.