Personal Bests

Sometimes things just don't work out like you planned.
Waited for the roads to dry until about 9:30. About 10 miles into the ride it was raining. I'd even thought about taking the "B" bike, but noooooo it was going to get hot, humid, and sunny. Even with the rain I was plenty warm.
Had to keep it slow though. Just wasn't in the mood to go down on slick roads or paint.
I put on about 25 miles and was back by my place, and the sun was coming out. The ride was getting a little bouncy, yep another flat. Oh well, I'll stop at home, change the flat, re-apply the rain-washed-off sunscreen, and be on my way to salvage maybe another 50 miles out of the day.
Sunscreen on and tube repaired I was....F&%K about two miles later two more flats (two separate cuts in the tire, two repairs). I decided to walk it home. Numerous cyclists asked if I was OK, if I had the tools I needed. One guy got off his bike and said, "I can change a flat faster than anyone". I had to wrestle my bike back out of his hands. Almost too good of a Samaritan.

Got home and figured I needed a change. The day was a total loss, but I figured I could take out my De Rosa fixie and get some miles on it. Five miles later another flat. Trust me here, I'm leaving out a lot. There was a ton more bad stuff going on. For some reason, I couldn't get the fixie tube to hold air.

UNBELIEVABLE, but who shows up on his bike. RON! Can he help? No. We were about 6 blocks from Erik's Bike Shop, so we walked over there, borrowed some tools and got the tube to finally hold air. It was a major pain in the ass, but it was so good to see Ron we almost had fun.

We rode back to my place certain that fate would have one last laugh at my expense, but pity was taken. Ron and I rode the lakes well below conversational pace and enjoyed the mid-summer scenery....lots of cassettes.

Pre-flats pictures from the morning ride.

Minnehaha Creek has looked like a bike trail, up until yesterday.
Roads were turning into rivers
The weather front had gone through earlier this morning, but decided to re-visit during my ride.

Gold Medal Flour Mill From The Mississippi

Train Bridge Trusses Over The Mississippi

Personal Bests you ask?

I achieved my highest number of flats ever in one day, and on top of that, never have more expletives passed my lips in 4 hours before. Something to be proud of.

I estimate 43 miles today.