What a disappointing day!

I was looking forward to getting back on my bike for a good, long ride. Things were looking good, and I was out and about at a good time. I started with a nice mile and a half through the neighborhood before I even started on my route. I went out with vigor and enthusiasm. I took my 15-mile route and did it backwards. As it turns out, this is a LOT easier going the other way. I was cruising along about 1.5 mph faster than the normal route.

I was also enjoying some nice, not-too-hot weather. The shade along the road was nice, which helped my speed and time. It was rather foolish of me to start this route without a water bottle (as the cage broke earlier this week). It wasn't too bad generally speaking, although I did get a hankering for a drink.

The problem came in between miles 9-10. I don't know exactly what happened, but I felt a wobble and a fishtail. I looked down and saw that my rear wheel was wobbling!! I stopped to check it out, but couldn't tell if the wheel is out of true, or if there is a problem with the hub. I will check it out tonight, though.

I tried to limp along, and cruised along at about 12-13 mph, but didn't trust going any further without doing any damage. I ended up calling my wife to come and pick me up, which was embarrassing and disappointing. It was even worse when I realized that I was only 1.3 miles from home! Oh well, I'd rather make sure I got home safely without causing any significant damage to my bike.

So, it is time to either ride the as-of-yet-not-fully-restored Daimler, or spend the next few days jogging. Hmmm... what to do.

Oh yeah, and if that wasn't bad enough, my beloved Georgia Bulldogs lost to Oklahoma State. The calls were so bad and one-sided that even ABC's announcers were commenting on the lack of consistency. That doesn't change the fact that the Bulldogs did not execute when they had the chances.

A potentially broken bike... the Dawgs lose... and I may have to end up jogging... Yup, it was a VERY disappointing day.

Holy FREAKIN' cow, what a night...

So I rode my bike out to the college and back, where I teach on Tuesday nights. It works out to a good 9.5 mile ride round trip, but tonight was something surreal. It seemed that everything that could go wrong, DID. Here's a quick list:

• 20 mph headwind on the trip out
  
• Headlight batteries died
• Taillight batteries died
• Water bottle cage broke
• My pants leg got caught in my crankset and nearly flipped me off the bike. This is particularly puzzling as I had the leg rolled up AND tied with an ankle strap.
  

So in the end, I rode 5 miles in the dark, honestly fearing for my safety! However, I made it home safe and sound, thanks largely to divine providence. Seriously folks! Now I am not trying to turn this into a religious blog or anything like that (even though I am a Christian and not ashamed to admit it). Yet tonight, there was far more coincidence than could be simply justified away as... well... coincidence.

I had a beautifully clear night to ride with an almost-full moon, and I was able to see the road clearly enough to stay safely on it. But if that wasn't enough, every time that I was coming up on rough road, a pothole, loose gravel, or some other obstacle a car would happen to come by at that moment and I had light sufficient to safely navigate around any potential problem area. I was also blessed with many considerate drivers, who ALL moved into the far lane away from me while riding. This is something that NEVER seems to happen. Usually drivers want to see how close they can get to me.

At any rate, it was a night where there was potential for disaster through numerous safety issues, but all came through just fine. In the end I remained safe and actually feel very good thanks to the ride.

But just to let you know how much respect they give cyclists around here, this is what they consider "sharing the road."