Friday's Child Redux

Sunday I left for what I imagined would be a wonderful long bike ride on a sunny and hot northern Michigan afternoon. Two miles in, I rode through a pothole (was not looking at the road) and just like that, the ride was over. Both tires were blown. I changed the tube in the rear and thought I was good to go on, and then I realized the front was a goner, too. I only carry one spare tube, and it was too hot, and by the time I had changed the rear tube, too late, to find the puncture and patch the front tube.

Rats. I was really looking forward to that ride! I admitted defeat and started walking home. So a great ride on a really nice day turned into a pleasant walk on a really nice day. As I was walking I was thinking about my post last week. Did I say something silly like I thought adversity was a good thing? LOL! Yeah, I did, and it’s also Mercury Retrograde (iykyk), so I guess I had to put my theory to the test that day.

I did, and it stood up. I didn’t rail at the universe. I didn’t feel cursed or that it was unfair, nor did I run through any of my other usual “poor little ‘ol me” mental scripts. I simply walked home, in the sunshine, and felt lucky that I was only 2 miles out and not 10 miles out. I also gently reminded myself that it’s important to watch where I’m going. 🤪

Always.

It was not the first time I’d had a flat, and actually, not even the first time I’d had to deal with both tires being punctured. It’s not a common occurrence, thankfully, but it’s always a possibility when traveling along on something as vulnerable as 2 slim pieces of rubber. Cycling is like everything else in life – mostly it’s a lot of fun and very satisfying, and sometimes your ride is cancelled by a flat tire (or two), and you have to deal with something you hadn’t planned on.

I changed the tube in the front on Monday, so all set to go next time. There were lawns to mow, groceries to get, laundry to do, and, interestingly enough, (and sad), wildfires in Canada blowing smoke at us this week, though, so no ride until tomorrow, but that’s okay, too. All that stuff is important. It’s all a part of my life – the chores and the fun – and that is as it should be.

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, but the reverse is also true: All play and no work makes Jack insufferable. 😉

Mostly I feel lucky that I’m still able to do all that needs to be done without help, and to be able to ride my bike as I have for the last 35 or so years, without modification. Mercury Retrograde will be over next week, and the smoke will clear, and we will be left with our beautiful Michigan summer, that has turned out to be just the kind of summer I love. I’m so glad the earlier forecasts were wrong. It took a while to get started, but it’s here now, and I’m loving every minute of it.

Wherever you are and whatever you’re doing, I hope you’re enjoying every minute, too.

❤️