After 20+ years.....

[Randy B]

of riding it was bound to happen. On my way into work this morning in the dark on I680 tooting along at about 75mph in a mild uphill left hander I come upon a nicwe sized rock smack in the middle of the lane (well right in front of my path within the lane) and I hit it. Darn thing was only a tick wider than the tire....ugh. Well the handling got heavy, but the bike was tracking OK with no vibration so I kept on my way to work. I was getting close and there is a sharper right hander that felt REALLY heavy on the bars and I knew something was up. I get off at my exit and sure enough....my front tire was flat. I rode it almost 20 miles....flat. And the tire didn't really look any worse for wear.
At this point I am about 60 miles from home at the PEAK of the morning rush....ugh. A tow truck would have been $130 and hour to get me home. Fortunately there is a forum around here called BARF (Bay Area Riders Forum) and they do a roadside angels and will do their best to help stranded cyclists as best they can. I waited about 1.5 hours, but i got a ride home from a very nice young lady and I filled her tank before we left and after she got me home. I even had a tire in the garage to put on so I'm all good to go.