what a morning…where to begin? it was cloudy. again. so bummed. i was in a funk again – one of those where i could probably be very productive, if i could just push myself over the edge. i took a few moments to have coffee and yogurt and then decided that yes, i would go for a bike ride. i went to pull my bike out and !!! (flat rear tire). actually, it’s funny how a setback or limitation can prod you into creative mode, which is exactly what happened this morning. i decided to change the tube instead of going for a ride. to make a long story short, i examined, changed, and tested the tube/tire in less than 35 minutes. i remember sitting on the kitchen floor in my sfo apt once, trying to put skinny tires on my rolf dolomite rims. i probably sat there for almost 2 hours. (in fact, come to think of it, i think my attempt spanned 2 days…) i finally accomplished my task but my hands were red for a week. so imagine my surprise when the tire and tube both came off and went back on with nary a muscle twitch. it’s now 9.20am, plenty of time for a ride: 10.81 miles / 45.31 mins / 14.2 avg mph

(i should also note that my trusty tire kit contained a tube of cement that had evaporated so i resorted to a park tool super patch. i had never used them before and i’ve probably had them since 2000 when i got my park tools and toolbox. they are f’ing brilliant! instant bonding glue. no waiting. worked immediately.)

cut to my ride: 3 blocks from home, i think i’m going to be hit by a car. i’ve actually dismounted from my bike and am waiting at the stop sign for my turn to proceed. the car to my left passes through the intersection and now it’s my turn. i get into my pedals and am watching both of the cars to my left and right out of my peripheral vision, but i focus more closely on the car on my right and next thing i know, the car on my left is advancing toward me. WHOA! it seems to me like the driver has no regard for me, but in reality, it’s possible s/he was just trying to be an a** and either scare me or stake a claim to the intersection.

it gets better…i turn onto ocean ave and head north, hearing helicopters off in the distance. i soon realize that 4 helicopters are positioned over ocean ave and san vicente boulevard. of course, i am headed straight toward them – am i going to die? (yes, but hopefully not today.) ultimately, i never discovered what they were monitoring. plenty of walkers and bikers and drivers and dogs going on about their business. so that’s what i did, too.

that was my weird morning. some days you just shouldn’t be productive and should stay home in jammies doing nothing. having said that, fixing my flat tire was highly satisfying.