HISSSSSSSS.....

I'm one of those people who always over-packs; I'll pack 5 shirts for a weekend getaway, just in case it gets too cold, or too hot, or I spill chocolate on myself. I'm the same way with my bike rides: I of course will have a spare tube, but I also may pack a sandwich, my cel phone, a camera, some candy bars, even an extra shirt. I've been told on several occasions that all I'm doing is loading down my bike with unnecessary weight.

I went on a short ride after work, and for once I decided to travel light. I emptied out my seat bag. I was only going to be gone for about an hour, so I didn't need any food. It was my regular route; no need for the camera. At most I'd be 5 miles from home, so why bother bringing a cel phone. For once, I was a lean, mean, LIGHT biking machine.

I did a rough hill, so I was glad not to have all the excess weight. When I got back down to the bottom on the way home I stopped at a traffic light when I heard that terrifying sound:

Hisssssss.......

I was praying that it was the sound of a rattlesnake about to bit my ankle but no, i had a rear flat. OK, not a problem. I took my wheel off, grabbed the one item left in my bag, the spare tube, and started to take the tire off. I looked for my tire levers. The ones I took out of my bag before the ride. The ones I forgot to put back in.

I tried looking for a stick or some primitive tool to help me remove the wheel but couldn't find anything. I tried using my bare hands, but I'm neither skilled nor strong enough to do it. I was not too far from home and figured I'd just call a friend to pick me up. Oh wait, I left my cel phone at home. I finally resorted to walking home.

Bike distances are a funny thing. You may think you are close to home because it only took you a few minutes to ride your bike there. But when you have to walk over 2 miles home in your socks (didn't want to ruin the bike shoes), it is a long, long way. It's also a little embarrassing. But if I'm stupid enough to go out for a ride by myself without my tools nor a cel phone, I suppose I deserve to do the Walk Of Shame.

Lesson learned.