Today was supposed to a long ride north, in preparation for the populaire in a few weeks. I hoped to do 30 or 40 miles, testing out the new rando setup and feeling out the hill climbing abilities of the Steamroller’s new gearing. This was not, hoever, to be. About two miles out, cresting a short rise out of Sharpsburg, my tough-as-iron Bontrager Hard Case rear tire got a flat. Now, after nearly 4000 miles without a flat, this was to be expected, I supposed. The rear tire was riddled with cuts, and even though these days I rarely skid or skip-stop, the rubber was running thin. I pulled off the road and promptly changed the tube. Then I considered my options. I didn’t have another tube or a patch kit, so I was facing another 30 miles without a safety. I turned around and grudgingly rode home.

Several hours later, and I’ve attached my head light, and I’m heading out in the dying evening night for a short ride before the kids go to bed. I decided the forgo the (dark) ride out into the suburbs, instead enjoying mostly empty roads by heading downtown through the Strip District. I rode up the Jail Trail, enjoying the relatively still air and pushing a decent pace, crossed the Hot Metal Bridge, then looped through the South Side and back up through Oakland, and home.

Yes, it wasn’t the length I expected, but it did give me a good chance to feel out the setup for the new (used) Carradice saddlebag. I do need to fiddle with the mounting system a bit, as it hangs a bit low and a bit too far forward. It was a bit odd at first climbing out of the saddle with bag on, especially with my headlight battery back there too. But, it was good to ride with my full repair kit, a pump, a shell, wallet, phone, and a bit of food without everything on my back in the messenger bag.

Related–this bike is quite nice.

Posted on 8 October 2006