Today was one of those days when you really believe there is a God.
Okay. I had to get to my agency. It's that 30 mile one way route I've been taking pics at above. Why I did not bring my camera today I do not know. I had to get there cause I get my host home check on the 20th of each month. It's a plus that it's absolutely beautiful out thank you spring is finally here but I really don't have any choice today to take Moop cause I'm dirt poor and there's no gas in my truck.
All week I've been stressing about my back rim. My NoMoreFlats tube is so awesome,man and I've taken it to it's limits when I originally ruined my tire and then I broke two spokes from my kickstand that I've removed,my speedometer also went south big deal though. Anyway,bottom line I needed to fix my back wheel. With no money this whole week,my last change was for a gallon of gas for Moop I scrounged around and laced my own wheel finally I get it right but when I installed it the entire rim is offset to the right. Then I find a used tire and fit my NoMoreFlats tube on there with lots of soap and water and it's done.
So here I go off to my agency to get my host home check. Not even one mile out I make a turn and feel a little weird back there. I stop to look and 2 inches of my tire bead on the right side has left the rim. So I'm thinking here. I have no gas. All I have is Moop to take me there. I don't even have money for the bus. I know the route. I've taken the bus there many times before. It's no big deal.
So I decide to continue the Moop ride to my agency. I am a TRUE BLUE BELIEVER of the NoMoreFlats tube. NOTHING will stop you cold with this thing. I made it there alright slowly with the "thump thump thump" I don't think I went any faster than 10 MPH. Then I stopped at my bank for that ATM deposit and my allowed 100 dollar I can pull out at my ATM. Then back on the bike trail thinking this all thru. "Okay,I'll go to garage sales this weekend. I'm sure I can get a 10 to 20 dollar bike for another rim. Now that I got some money this thump thump thump has got to be warping by trusted NoMoreFlats tube so I'll get another one ay Wal Mart. I'll get a new tire too.
All this I'm thinking as I'm riding down the Denver Trails and suddenly something caught my eye. I stopped,turned around and there it is. A 26 inch back rim with a tire and a blown tube. Just the wheel. No bike. So I'm thinking "Now how in the heck can someone just leave a wheel here? Where's the rest of the bike? How did this guy make it out of here without his wheel?
Then I inspect it. 36 spokes. You want 36 spokes for in my experience,36 spokes mean NO INTERFERENCE when you bolt up the Happy Time sprocket. I spun it and it's straight as an arrow.
See,with Iran going on and the recession and no hope for our next president whomever that may be,sometimes you have to wonder if somebody is REALLY looking out for me. This simply does not happen.
So I take my cable lock and wrap it and my new wheel around my handlebars and take the remaining 10 or so miles to where my truck is parked at the park where the trail starts. I like to drive my truck up to the park to avoid this massive hill getting to the trails. It's only like 2 miles away.
Then I go home,grab my camera and took these shots.
Pic 1 ~ This is what happens to a tire when it seperates from a rim and continues to be used for 59 miles. Do you see the wires?
Pic 2 ~ And this is the wheel just sitting on the side of the trail just waiting for me to find it.
Now I could believe a broken down bicycle on the side of the trails. But just a wheel?
Man,I think that GOD HIMSELF must have planted that for me.
I better go to church on sunday.
I'm off to Wal Mart after my client goes home for his bi-weekly home visit and I'm gonna FINALLY get that wheel fixed. No more thump thump thump for me!
I want a Wheelmaster wheel. Maybe next go.