OH My That Bulge! (7 IMAGES)

Finally!  For the first time in two years I was going for my very first bike ride of the Season.  I pushed that heavy barn door up, and when open, carefully wove my way towards the back where my bike was sitting, missing by a hair’s breath my knees getting skinned on the jumble of machines.  Managing to get that bike out without hurting me or one of those machines, I discovered two flat tires.  Yup.  No surprise there.

Instead of wasting hours hunting for where hubby had placed the tire pump I saw my neighbor over at his barn, so taking bike I strolled over and asked him if he would kindly put air in my tires for me.  (smile)  Bless you, Mr. Al.  It was a struggle but you did it.  Thank you!

Of course that bike was filthy, and running for a bucket of soapy water, I washed it and wiped it dry.  Lubricated the chain, checked to make sure brakes were working and all gears, I was confident that bike was ready to go.  Yup.  I was ready!  Dumping my bucket of dirty water and replacing it empty where I found it (note to hubby … learn this!) I stuffed my [now blonde] hair into a scarf and put my riding helmet on.  Darn it!  But it was too big!  Huh.  Either my head shrunk (don’t go there!) or I actually had hubby’s helmet.  No way was I again about to waste precious time looking for the other helmet so I adjusted the straps so it would properly fit my head.

I had a 3-hour window to have fun!  Yippee!!!

My fanny pack with water around my waist together with cellphone and CD player I was off! OH did it feel good to fly again!  I did however have to choose a windy day so going against a stiff 30 mph wind I zipped my gears down into second and still I found out within no time hiking muscles aint the same as biking.  Whew!  But I had a grin!

I had plans on exploring an area I’ve never been before but to get there I had to travel on back country roads that now sadly were expressways.  Thank you, progress and subdivisions explosion.

[Photo taken in Como Park after hubby fixed tire …. no head scarf.]

Wearing a neon yellow tank top and purple riding shorts I knew I would be seen but you better believe I hugged that shoulder.  No sorry.  There was no shoulder.  The road became a white line and had from there about 3 inches of blacktop before meeting gravel and rocks and lots of weeds.  Not much room for error.  I still though just could not stop grinning.  I was sprung!  And free!

Around the 6 mile mark I felt something wrong with my front tire. Looking down I saw to my horror a bulge in my front tire.  NO NO NO NO NO NO!!!!! This could not be happening!  I either could:

• Turn around and take a slow and careful ride back home.
• Turn around and walk the bike back home.
• No third choice.  None.  I had no one to call for help.

I opted for choice two.  Not a problem from where I saw things.  My legs strong from a 7-mile very challenging hike could easily make this.  So began my walk home, with fanny pack now belted to bike and pedals in position so as not to hit my leg.  Down one street, turned the corner to another street and that is where trouble began.  Those darn weeds hit my pedals and before I knew it my shin was slamming into that pedal.  OUCH!  I tried changing positions.  Nothing worked.  I just had to keep going.  What other choice did I have?  I wasn’t about to take a chance riding my bike and have that tire blow sending me God knew where and ending up hurt.  Uh uh!

So I listened to Josh Groban, gazed at the clouds, stopped to take pictures, and truthfully was in my Bliss zone.  I was not going to let a tire bulge ruin my day!  Now if those pedals would stop moving!  After the third slam that left huge welts and broken skin, chivalry arrived.

Two vehicles on the other side of the road pulled over and stopped.  Before I knew what to expect a man in the first vehicle said something, and because I had ear buds in my ears, I had to take one out and ask him to repeat what he said.  He asked if I needed a lift.  He knew I was in trouble.  The man in the second vehicle when he heard man number one ask me his question actually got out of his vehicle and when man number one saw this, he got out too.  As I stood there stunned they seemed intent on competing as to who could get to me first.  Over me?

Huh.  And here my blonde hair was not even in sight.  (laughing)  To have not one but two really nice men not only stop but act as though I was a damsel in distress (which I was) well, this woman preened.  A smile broke out across my face and I beamed.  Christmas in June!  No fear was felt because in scanning both men not a single hair spelled danger.  Besides man number two had his 3-year old son in the back seat.  I waved to him and said, “Your Daddy is a really nice man!”

I did something I never have done in my life.  I accepted the ride from man number one after both men had to thoroughly examine my tire and come to my exact same conclusion …. um, yes sure enough, a bulging tire *silent laugh*.  They made such a fuss over me.  Oh my.  *blush*

So man number one put my bike in the back of his jeep and I hopped in the passenger seat after he opened the door.  *faint*  He was just so darn nice I could not get over it.  It seemed as if I had stepped into a beautiful dream.  I was nervous, mind you and it showed when I spoke.  My tongue fumbled.  LOL  In the conversation that ensued one of the things that was revealed was this man actually knows my neighbor and asked me to say hello.

What a small world!

OH did I ever thank this man and wished him all the very best when he returns to school in Maine for his Masters in Forestry.  I’ll never forget that man or his name.  In today’s world when you hear of so many evil goings on, what JOY it is to know there are really decent nice people out there.  And let me tell you, I’m still glowing having not one but two men wanting to assist me when in trouble.  It’s been a long time since I glowed like that.  Oops.  *claps hand over mouth*

[Photo taken in Como Park]

Photography/ “OH My That Bulge!”/ June 2017©AmyRose
http://www.herladypinkrose.wordpress.com

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