It's been a strange old day.
Got up late, got to work late. Nelson Kite Club committee meeting was on this evening so rather than make two trips into town (one for work and another in the evening) I 'glide' my working hours so I can go from work, to the meeting, then home.
Got rained on as I left work. That's fine... I had my rain gear so no big deal. It cleared just before sunset which made for some dramatic skies. I rode into town, picking up a neat Geocache on the way. Here's the view from the cache site. I then rolled down the hill into town and picked up a kebab for dinner with some turkish delight for desert. This I ate in the Queen's Gardens with a brave and hungry Thrush for company. With 20 minutes to spare I set off to the Kite Club meeting only to find that I must have picked up a puncture just before stopping as my front tyre was now flat. First time I've got a flat on the commute. Never fear, I had my puncture repair kit with me and by the failing light I fixed it, using the duck pond water to locate the leak in the tube. It took me about 15 minutes which isn't bad considering it was in semi darkness. Made it to the meeting 10 minutes late. After the meeting the Xtracycle was quite the attraction amongst the other club committee members. Lots of the usual questions to answer about it. These things sell themselves. I set off into the darkness for the final leg home. The sky had cleared but there was no moon. I actually really like riding at night. If it wasn't for the other traffic I could turn my lights of and ride by starlight. Coming up the only hill on the trip, the Gentle Annie, I got another puncture. Back wheel this time. What are the chances. Months of riding with no flats, then two in one trip. I was at the top of the hill, it was very dark and there was no water handy to test the tube for leaks anyway. I should carry a spare tube for situations where repair is too difficult; I will from now on. I walked the last 4 or 5km home. There was hardly any traffic so most of the way it was just me and the stars. I should have been hacked off and grumpy after such rotten luck, but I wasn't and I don't know why. Something to do with the silence...
I've just finished pactching the tube and just need to check it for leaks, pop the tire back on, and pump it up. Its 11.25, and I'll be up and back in the saddle at 6. I shall sleep well.
11:25:08 PM
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