JB called in sick... OK, no hurry then, I had an extra cup of coffee.
Got half way down my street and realized I had my regular glasses on - turned around to get my sun glasses and extra warm gloves.
Got half way down Walnut Ave and punctured - piece of glass I probably picked up on the Dam Road Tuesday. While I was fixing it I thought "Well, that'll probably be my last flat of 2013".
Got a half mile past the North Gate and flatted AGAIN! Jeez, maybe I didn't get all the glass out? Didn't find any more glass and couldn't find the puncture... I think I left the valve unscrewed though so maybe the air just leaked out as the core wiggled around. I always have two tubes and three CO2 carts in my saddlebag so I was prepared, but now I had no more reserve... I think I'll get a glueless kit to go in there too.
By mile 3 the wind was just ferocious. Bits of dirt and gravel were pummeling me around some of the corners. At least it had warmed up a mite.
Above Junction it got almost bad enough to make me think about turning around at Juniper... I finished my Clif Bar there and it was difficult just to stand still. But I didn't come this far just to quit.
Mercifully, the Summit Wall was kind of calm - I don't know if because it's shielded or the wind was taking a break. The ride back down was a real white-knuckler, but I've done it enough times to know where all the tricky bits are... and no more flats!
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New Christmas gloves! |
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Walnut Avenue Puncture |
![](//1.bp.blogspot.com/-zCnlMOVions/Ur9T8slwh3I/AAAAAAAAPdY/MmMuuib5ILs/s320/9.jpg) |
I like this shot because you can see the "sharp turn"
sign up above for folks coming down. |
![](//3.bp.blogspot.com/-byq_VoerD2w/Ur9T8fkZbTI/AAAAAAAAPdg/XBxvx7pMQFk/s320/8.jpg) |
I love it when a capture a rider in front of a great background. |
![](//2.bp.blogspot.com/-dMSeZJkZB60/Ur9T8IBweLI/AAAAAAAAPdc/NmCJstGWRVY/s320/7.jpg) |
Passed-me #5 or 6 |
![](//4.bp.blogspot.com/-1B1o6PQNzxE/Ur9T78b6bBI/AAAAAAAAPdE/wbStk2N6Nys/s320/6.jpg) |
#6 or 7 |
![](//2.bp.blogspot.com/-tx1BjsBrO4o/Ur9T6-iWesI/AAAAAAAAPdI/of3k9w2X5rs/s320/5.jpg) |
7 or 8 |
![](//4.bp.blogspot.com/-FWG9hGuXKXQ/Ur9T59FpEoI/AAAAAAAAPcg/EvYV-jlynpQ/s320/10.jpg) |
Don't try this on a horse. |
![](//2.bp.blogspot.com/-wTzDs600Qqc/Ur9T5p6AZZI/AAAAAAAAPcc/hy3m4R7MaTg/s320/12.jpg) |
These guys asked me to take their photo on an
iPhone - I don't know if they noticed my handlebar
cam was getting the same shot. |
![](//1.bp.blogspot.com/-mnneupxAOWk/Ur9T6K-BTII/AAAAAAAAPcY/zuyZLefxkFQ/s320/13.jpg) |
Winding AND windy |