SOMETIMES I JUST DON'T THINK THINGS THROUGH ALL THAT WELL, PT 2

Or 3, or 4......or whatever.

I've been so geeked for the Death Valley Ride that lately I've actually been paranoid about gettin' hurt before we leave. That's a first, as far as I can recall. As I rode to work yesterday, and then rode over to the Holland Stadium to see about the 'cross race course and then back I was extra-mindful of cars and the regular daily dose of risks that I guess I take every day just to get around. I mentioned it to Ted, John J and Dennis @ various points throughout the day so it's on record, that's all I'm sayin'.

So.....keep that in mind 'cuz, as I once heard a guy in a bluegrass band say from the stage - "I told ya'll that story so I can tell ya'll this'n"..............

On the Tuesday Night Ride I noticed that the rear wheel on Dave Z's Salsa was in a world of hurt.... outta true, outta round, outta everything. The bike's fairly new so I asked him whether he had ridden or driven to the shop - tryin' to get an idea of when we could get our hands on it. You see - I kinda get the vibe that Dave's a member of what we call the "shut up and ride club" (folks that aren't all that fussy about their bikes) PLUS I know that he's a very busy dude and I was skepical that he'd be able to get it to us asap - which is what needed to happen. When I realized that our route would take us through his neighborhood and that he had the same pedals as I use an idea worked it's way through my soggy brain. "Hey Dave", says I "How 'bout I leave my bike w/ you and ride yours to the shop? That'll save you a trip and we can get'cher wheel fixed up tomorrow." "Great idea" says he "Can you ride my bike?"

A fair question since it's about 3 sizes too big.

"Oh sure - I can deal w/ it for 4 miles" I say, thinkin' to myself that at least I can clip in even though I'll hardly be able to reach the pedals from the saddle.

So I tell the group what I'm up to and Dennis right away asks if I want him to hold up the group. "Nah", says our clever narrator "I'll be fine and right behind you guys." So off they go.

Dave and I get to his house and do the switch. I climb (I use the word in it's literal sense) onto his bike and realize that I WOULD be able to clip in to his pedals IF I was actually wearing my road shoes but since they are on the truck on the way to DEATH FREAKIN' VALLEY I'm not.

Oops.

Oh well, no biggie, I can carefully stand on those little tiny slippery Speedplay pedals in my slick nylon soled off-road shoes for 4 miles, right? And I can ride this bike w/ the rear wheel feelin' like it's gonna collapse at any second, right? And......oh yeah, no lights and the group's up the road.

Oops, #2. (Or #3, or #4, or whatever, I've lost count)

So - now I'm THAT GUY again! Riding through town, in the dark, with no lights, on a bike that's WAY too big, that I can't clip into, with a sick rear wheel.

Way to be extra-careful huh?

Well, since you're reading this and I've written it I musta made it, and I did. Once again whatever Guardian Angel that drew the short straw and got stuck w/ watchin my back came through and I got away w/ it. Again. Still - I was compelled to go home (my headlight died on my commuter bike en route, of course) and confess to the Lovely Linda that she was married to an idiot.

She did not seem surprised.

So......Death Valley tomorrow and as previously stated I can not wait! I dyin' to see the Panamint Mountains, Furnace Creek Ranch, Jubilee Pass and all that stuff but I'm even more excited to get another dose of the all-powerful JDRF medicine. It's good for what ails ya!

If you read this drivel (and I have no idea who does - or why) I assume that I'll be carrying your best wishes for our Team as we head out to the Valley and for that I thank you. If any of you have seen fit to support any of my Team Mates w/ a donation then I thank you once again. (It's not too late - go to www.ride.jdrf.org, click "donate" and choose a rider!)

Thanks for reading, thanks for caring - if you do. (It's cool either way!) I'm not sure that there'll be internet access in DV so I might be "off the 'net" for a bit. I imagine the world will survive!

Be safe! Ride lots! Get passionate about something! Take care!
MC