This ride was brought to you by the word "scatterbrain"

[Owlie]

And the number three.

It was cooler here today, finally. Well, in the mid- to high 80s, plus humidity, but after heat indices in the 110s, I'll take what I can get! I got out for a ride today, no length in particular. I got there at about 11:30, started putting my stuff on the bike and realized that I couldn't find the seat bag! I usually stick it in my helmet for transport and to keep the helmet from bouncing around, but I checked everywhere else in the car just to make sure. No sign of it. I thought about heading home to pick it up, but it wasn't getting any cooler and I'd never had a flat, so I figured I'd just ride carefully and make it short. (Was also not looking forward to a ride with a potentially mis-adjusted seatpost...)

The trail didn't make it easy, since there were sticks everywhere and I was making sure to keep a lookout for glass and whatnot. My luck held, though, for once! I did have a scare in the last half mile--I heard a metallic noise and then hissing. When I checked the tire, it was perfectly fine.

Tiny issues with car (woman ignored stop sign on a driveway that crosses the trail, where trail users have right of way), though she was going slow enough that she didn't come anywhere close to hitting me, but it scared the crap out of me. Also issue with parks department truck, so I spent part of the ride with a mouthful of leaf litter particles.

I passed someone on a road bike. This someone seemed to be trying his darnedest to be a trail salmon, so he forced me to pass on the right. Not a situation I wanted to be in, so I really pushed it so I could get as far away as possible. Apparently, this man has a fragile ego in addition to not having common sense, because he didn't seem to like the idea that he just got passed by someone who was probably 20 years younger than him and a girl. He gave me a dirty look as I passed, and a couple seconds later just blew past me. I passed him again later--he was sprawled out under a tree.


17 miles. I didn't really have to worry much about the seatpost.

Fun fact: My seat bag must weigh a quarter of a ton, because I definitely set a few new speed records again (19 mph northbound, which is uphill just enough that it's harder but you can't tell why!). Ms. Princess Road Bike also handles differently without it--much nimbler, but a hair twitchy.

Maybe I'll ride again tomorrow...and the seat bag will be the first thing I put in the car!

[redrhodie]

I was waiting for the saddle bag to be stuck to the top of your helmet.

[Velocivixen]

It sounds like you handled everything brilliantly even without your seat bag. Good for you. I was expecting to hear about a major breakdown in the middle of nowhere. Sounds like a ride that kept you on your toes!

[Bike Writer]

Glad your ride was a bit cooler and not as eventful as you were concerned about. Generally my luck has it that the 1st and only time I forget something I usually need it.

Funny story about guy on rode bike, not so funny story about leaves in mouth.

[Roadtrip]

I'm sure the leaves aren't what you had in mind in terms of extra fiber in your diet! Yeaaaaaa.

Been too busy at work to ride, but can't wait to get out again perhaps tomorrow evening after work as it's supposed to be even cooler.

We will just have to see.

Shannon

[azfiddle]

I too had a scatterbrained ride today.

I commuted to work, but it's a very busy week getting ready for the start of our (year-round) school next week. I changed backed into my jersey and shorts, put on the HRM, socks, shoes, sunglasses & mirror. Put on my Ipod, backpack with computer .... double-checked and had my regular glasses.

The school I work in is located in a suburb with about 5 miles of open desert/air force base to traverse before getting back into a more city environment. So I was already into the desert section when I saw another cyclist in my rear view mirror- which made me realize I had forgotten my helmet! And my gloves. And since it was about 97 degrees out, I had no interest in turning around to retrace my path to get them .... When the other cyclist caught up - he said "don't feel bad, I forgot my water" and I looked down to see his empty bottle cages I offered him my extra bottle but he wouldn't take it.

I actually don't do that well in the heat, despite being a desert rat. About 2 miles from home I started to feel a little sick and overheated. The slight downhill grade and a little tail wind helped, but when I got home I had to lie down right away, and a have a cold drink.