The Bicycle Gauntlet

So, the family and I are on vacation for two weeks in the Outer Banks. I have been getting up early and either jogging four miles or riding a blcycle for ten miles. I like doing it because I'm down to 174 pounds, and the sidewalks are full or walkers, joggers, and cyclists.

Every time I see one go by me, I always say hi or good morning. Everyone is friendly here, so it's a nice change from my town.

So today, I got to mile five, where I would turn around and head back. There was a guy, elderly, who refused to move over so I could pass, after I asked politely. Finally I went off the walkway and went on the grass. Two seconds later, the chain popped off.

I may or may not have screamed the F word at the guy.

I tried to fix the chain, but it wasn't happening. So, I walked the five miles back to the house. Now I'm not saying I was asking for help, but a ton of people walked right past me and never asked, "Hey, are you okay?" Or, "Can I help?" Nothing. I guess they were all too busy.

Any hoo, I walked back to the house, bicycle in hand, and I tried again.

I wanted to finish my ten miles, and she tried to stop me before I went out again. When I got home, I saw she fixed the bike. The missus tried and thank goodness she fixed it.