I went cycling today - or at least I tried. The my trusty old mountain bike is a bit on the dirty side, and probably in need of a service. I haven't been riding in a few months, and I hoped a spot of "white lightning" would do the trick. And it did, sort of...
Around the first corner, could feel the tires skidding, and I looked down to see the months of standing has taken its toll, and I have two limp tires. A quick check revealed that for the first time in as long as I can remember, I forgot to take my pump. I usually take it off when I transport the bike, in case it falls off and gets lost, and I just didn't put it back. Luckily there's a petrol station down the road and the friendly pump assistant helped me to put the air back, and after that I realised just how much I enjoy the feeling of riding my bike.
The plan was to go to the promenade, but that means going through the city centre. Not really a problem at 5:30 am. As I turned a corner, I could feel the wheels skid once again and I had a slowmo fall - the kind that happens when you can't clip out your shoes in time. My audience was the CCID city guards (those guys do an awesome job) and I assured them that I was perfectly fine, I just got back on and cycled around the corner to do a stock take.
It seems my front wheel has gotten a slow puncture or something. I have a full repair kit in my onboard bum bag, even a spare tube, but alas, no pump! And there is no petrol station in that part of town. My options were limited to walking back to the same garage as earlier, or walking past it, home. I was about 3km away, not really what I would call an epic cycle, but far enough for a good walk. I would have preferred 2km, since I was walking barefoot.
The city is quite something in the early morning. I walked back through the Company's Gardens, and I got to see some squirrels, joggers, other cyclists and a homeless guy humping his bag, picking it up, and walking on. Never a dull moment!
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