Everything hurts, but it's all good.

[Owlie]

I just broke a number of personal barriers/streaks when it comes to riding. I managed 44 miles today, thanks in part to this awesome weather we're having--relatively dry and in the low- to mid-80s. My original plan was a 36-mile ride up to Fort Ancient and back. Well, ten miles in, I broke my 25-month "no flats on rides" streak. I have, however, plenty of experience changing flats, and luckily it was a front. Someone was nice enough to stop to give me a hand, even though I didn't need it.
Well, I thought I didn't. A section of tire jumped off the rim while I was inflating the tube, and only noticed it when I took the CO2 pump off. My second cartridge had vanished from my bag. The woman who stopped to help managed to flag down someone with a frame pump. Whew. I limped back to my starting point, stopped off at my LBS's new location (right on the trail!) for a tire top-up, a new spare tube and CO2 (and a metric ton of shot blocks because they're cheaper there than at Kroger). I didn't think to top off my bottles until I started running low about 5 miles from my planned turn-around...so I rode another three to get to my usual turn-around with a water fountain.
By mile 35 my legs were toast. I'm not entirely sure how I made it home...probably because I spent the last ten miles needing to pee, with no suitable shrubbery in sight. (The one convenience store near the trail doesn't have a bathroom!)
So my legs are sore, my back hurts, my arms hurt. Still, not too bad a ride, and I broke my 40-mile mental barrier. I think I need to invest in a frame pump...

[Velocivixen]

I'm very proud and you should be too! You went with intent, had a plan, came prepared, got help from a stranger, didn't give up or pee yourself! Now that's what I call a good ride and great accomplishments.

[westtexas]

didn't give up or pee yourself!

+1


Congrats!

[Roadtrip]

Yipppeeee Owlie!!

Congrats on the milestone!

[Catrin]

Yayyyyy! Congratulations!

[SheFly]

Sounds like an awesome ride! I don't use CO2 cartridges - too many people I know have had issues, and no pump. It might take me awhile to inflate my tube with a pump, but I know it works .

Nice job!

SheFly

[Catrin]

Sounds like an awesome ride! I don't use CO2 cartridges - too many people I know have had issues, and no pump. It might take me awhile to inflate my tube with a pump, but I know it works .

Nice job!

SheFly

I have had to loan my pump to too many riders who had problems with CO2 cartridges for me to even consider using them...

[Bike Writer]

Go Owlie! Nice buncha milestones there.

[Owlie]

Thank you! I'm still a little sore, and my legs whined most of the way out on my ride this morning.
Mom is now pretty much convinced I need a pump...