Ridin` Dirty

My girl Erin and I hit the road late morning. The front tire on my bike had suffered a continuation of the major mechanical I had last week and was rendered unuseable. Dave proved to be my emergency part man as I picked up a spare wheel from his place and we were good to go. The only snag was that the new front wheel didnt have a sensor for my computer so I was without my statistics! I am addicted to watching my numbers, especially my average speed. To ride without my computer was a huge `control-freak` thing for me to give up! I survived :)

From Cloverdale, through Langley and into the Matsqui area of Abbotsford. When we hit the Abbotsford-Mission bridge, I was sure that I had a flat rear tire so we stopped in at the Mission detachment for a pit stop and some air. Turns out the tire wasnt as flas as I thought it was. The ride along the Lougheed Highway was surprisingly enjoyable. I kept on anticipating a big hill and everytime we got to the top of a small incline, I`d ask Erin `Was that it?` By that time the rain was heavier and we were covered in mud from head to toe. No joke. The Albion Ferry was waiting for us when we rolled up and when we hit Fort Langley, the rain had eased up but it`s effects were yet to be felt. We were rolling along 96th Avenue and I slowed for the double tracks in the 22000 block but apparently didnt take the angle correctly and my front wheel slipped on the wet tracks and got stuck in the rut. Down I went. I landed on my right knee and elbow. There was blood and gravel. The worst part was that I ripped the ass on my shorts and was exposing more than necessary to the world. I wrapped my jacket around my waist and we carried on. Erin took good care of me and I survived pretty well. My bike on the other hand was not so happy. Lots of strange noises and a major derailer issue that I can`t explain. No small ring action for me so I big-ringed it all the way home. It was a sore, slow go.

Total 85K and lots of mud. We hosed off the bikes and our legs upon our return. I iced my knee but won`t know how bad it is until I wake up in the morning.



My neighbour asked me if I`d be interested in joining a triathalon relay team. The Silverman Triathalon is in Vegas in November. Check out this video.