Once again we are able to cycle away from our campsite after we have agreed where we will meet down the road and once again we are starting on a paved trail. It seems that at least through the small municipalities the trail is paved and only changes to gravel once you leave town. Today we have cooler temperatures and a slightly overcast sky. It is an ideal day to cycle. We won’t overheat today. The trail is a hard packed cinder base and while a little slower than the paved trail it is still excellent.
I get my first flat tire. As luck would have it we are in a small town. The flat happens just outside a bike repair shop so rather than put a new tube in myself we take the bike in and they are able to accommodate us immediately. A few minutes later and a few dollars lighter we are on our way. Unfortunately, it is only another 20 km down the road that I get yet another flat. Two flats in one day. David put tubeless tires on his bike and perhaps I should have done the same. Later that same day after we load the bikes on the back of the RV and head to camp David discovers that the back wheel has somehow fallen off my bike. After driving up and down the road we finally give up looking for the wheel and head into town to try to find a bike shop. The first bike shop informs me that the configuration of this bike probably only happened for one year. It is highly unusual to have bike with an 11-speed cassette, disc brakes and quick release. They only have one wheel that can accommodate that combination. They agree to build the new wheel while we go for dinner. We just need to be back before the store closes at 7 p.m. Bad news they call to say the wheel cannot accommodate the cassette. No charge, we collect the bike but now need to wait until tomorrow to try another bike shop.
The Rotary Ride for Kids 
Leave a comment