The Ride that Wasn't

Wheel with Tube Removed - Waiting
Tequesta, FL
July 1, 2026

 I discovered that my rear tire was flat yesterday as I took my bike out of the garage for my morning ride. It was not just a little flat, it was really most sincerely flat. Not a good way to start a bike ride.

I had a replacement inner tube. For all the good it did me. 

Somehow, I managed to put a hole in it installing. Ugh! I guess it got pinched between the rim and the tire.

I had trashed my only spare inner tube.

I thought I had more, I usually buy multiples, but it has been well over a year since I had a flat and I guess I didn't realize that I was down to my last spare.

So I waited an hour for the bike shop to open only to find, as I pulled on the locked door, that it is closed on Wednesdays. Amazon will be delivering later today.

I didn't ride yesterday, nor will I ride today. This is not the way I envisioned starting my favorite month of the year.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL