Much like Blanche DuBois, Ted and I have very much relied on the kindness of strangers when we find ourselves in a pickle during one of our road trips. That happened again today when we experienced four flat tires between the two of us. I led off the puncture parade two miles into the day giving Ted the slightest bit of satisfaction as his bike had always been the recipient of such bad luck. It was extra frustrating as it took a Herculean effort to remove the tire from the rim.
With that we figured our bad luck was over: Wrong. Over the course of the next 30 miles, Ted had three flats. With each one came increased frustration and puzzlement as to its cause. But worse, we had used up all of our spare spare inner tubes. As luck would have it (and it wasn’t that much luck) we were only 3 miles away from a bike shop. Time to start trucking.
But within 10 minutes of our walk, a small off-road State vehicle passed us. We first waved simply at it then manically hoping it would stop. It did. Its driver, Don LaMont, who works for the State agency that maintains the LVRT, inquired what was our problem. We told him asking if he would be so kind as to drive Ted and his bike to neighboring Hardwick. He responded in the positive, picking up Ted’s bike placing it in his cargo bay.
They sped away with me following in the dust.
Soon we were all in Hardwick in front of Riverside Cycles. We thanked Don profusely and Ted brought his bike into the shop. The bike mechanic started to work on the bike; Ted and I went for food and hydration.
As it turned out, there was a minuscule piece of glass embedded in the tire that would insert itself into the inner tube sporadically when jostled in a certain way. So Ted had a new tire and tube installed; we were ready to go. But just to be on the safe side, Ted and I each purchased an extra spare tube.
When adversity has greeted us on our bike trips, we have always been the fortunate recipients of kindness and help. Perhaps it is because we are cyclists and appear vulnerable. Perhaps it is because we are a couple of geezers. Perhaps it is just karma. Regardless of reason, however, it warms my heart to see how perfect strangers can become perfect people to those in need.
1 Comment
Interesting blogs, one is all descriptive experience and the other is all pain and suffering. You were very lucky to find Bob. He knew the way and the town. Glad you are having such excellent accommodations. Why so many poisonous plants on the roadsides? A very different part of the state . Enjoy your travels today. Love from all of us.