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Slow leak, slow train

If it's Wednesday evening, it must be time for the Belleville Area Bicycling and Eating Society's weekly ride. But last night's ride was a bit more interesting than most.

I should have realized what kind of ride it was going to be when I noticed my seat post had slipped an inch and a half. Everyone else passed me by as the BABES took off from Mascoutah.

Now I was feeling pretty good and decided to do the 22-mile option, and everything was going fine as I passed through New Baden. But when I made the turn south on Summerfield Road, I noticed my rear tire going soft. Yep, it was a slow leak. I aired up the tire a bit, hoping I could make it back to Mascoutah without changing the tube. No such luck. I made it across the Interstate 64 overpass, only to find the air had done little good.

After fixing the flat, I got back on the road. I made it to Illinois Route 161, only to find that a long freight train was on its way. I had to wait, and wait, and wait, for the long, slow train to pass. I knew I was going to have a hard time getting back before dark.

Fortunately, I had a flashing rear light on me and a burst of adrenaline that got me back after sundown but with enough twilight to get home safely. Ride leader Jerry Whittle drove out to make sure I was OK, but I only had about a half-mile to go when he saw me.

The evening ended very well. Kathleen Michael, whose rear wheel I fixed a week and a half ago on the St. Libory, Ill., ride, repaid me for my good deed. She promised me a beverage, but she did much better: a copy of the book "Bicycle" by David V. Herlihy. It's a book about the history of the bicycle, and I will be looking forward to reading it. Thanks, Kathleen!

Before the ride, I drove the Tour de Stooges course to make sure I wouldn't have to redraw the map because of road construction. So far, so good. There's a couple of spots with some loose gravel, but I think cyclists won't have any problem navigating those.

Our pre-registration is very strong, primarily because of online registration through Active.com. We almost completely sold out of T-shirts, so all we need to hope for now is some great weather!

Roger 0 comments 12:25 AM