So, I'm on the recumbant, peddling along. The sky threatens to cry as clouds over head darken. It is warm, tho and the ride is easy.

As I roll down the hill, the ground flatens out a bit and there is a nice shoulder to ride on, there is a pop and a hissing as all the air in my front tire quickly runs out.

Good thing this didn't happen on the hill where I was doing 37 miles per hour, and even better that there is a shoulder to pull off on. There is a curb for me to sit. Best thing that this didn't happen on my way to work. I'm going home so I have all the time in the world.

In my bag of holding, I have a spare tube and hand pump. In no time at all, the new tube is on and the old one is stashed in my kit and I'm off.

With a few miles to go left, I climb some steep hills, cruise down some more and make some turns across heavy lanes of traffic.

Pop, hiss, the back tire goes out.

I'm on a flat part of road, nice shoulder to work, a little embankment to sit on. The rain has held off and the sun peeks through to keep me warm as it sets.

In my bag of holding is a spare tube. Yes, I carry two. I am a Boy Scout. You got a problem with that?

Pull that puppy out and...

Wrong valve. Frelling stoopid wrong valve. As useful as a submarine with a kick stand. But within my bag of holding is a patch kit.

Rough up the area, lay down some glue, patch on, wait a minute or two and stuff it back into the wheel.

While I'm pumping it up, a man in a pick up pulls along side. He's wearing a ratty ball cap and a three day razor stubble. His tee-shirt is from a monster truck rally, or NASCAR, or something along those lines. "You all set?"

I smile and wave. "Yeah, I'm all set, thanks."

He nods. "My trailer is right back there. I have an electric pump if you need. Stop by, knock on the door." He waves, puts it in gear and heads home.

See, now if I hadn't spent the extra time patching my tire, he wouldn't have had the chance to do a good deed.

What's that, he didn't do a good deed? Oh, yes he did.

He showed me that someone, a total stranger, cares. That's something that'll keep you warm at night.

Current Mood: good
Current Music: I'm a statistic in a system that a civil servant dominates