Well I rolled out of town today feeling pretty cocky. My legs felt good. I'd updated my blog and by the afternoon, it was looking as though I might make Pie Town by dark. A solid 100 mile performance.
But my plans were thwarted around 2pm. I was flying across the Mesa with the wind at my back zipping right to left across the road to pick the smoothest line and avoid any sharp rocks as this entire area is built up on lava rock.
About then I noticed that my rear tire was low so I pulled over. What I discoverd was that the rear tire had no less than 20 thorns in it. When I pulled out the first one I heard a disconcerting hiss. So I spent the next 30 minutes pulling thorns out with my pliers and replacing the tube with the spare.
Then just as I was about to ride off, I thought.."Hmmmm, what are the odds of getting 20 thorns in your rear tire and none in your front tire?" Answer....zero.
So now I notice that my other spare has a tear in it. So I patch up the large holes in the front tire and spend the next 10 miles limping to the campsite. Ride 15 minutes, pump 2. And repeat.
By dark I found a campsite and spent the night putting patches on the various holes. Trying to piece together 2 tubes that might get me the last 30 miles to Pie Town where I hoped to find a patch kit to get more tubes.
I pumped up my tires and set them outside my tent. Telling myself that I should't get my hopes up.
See picture attached of road with thorns in the center. Looked like dead grass to me too.
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