17 is the new 40

The weather is nice so I had planned to get in 40 miles this morning on a route around Grapevine lake.

Last night being poker night, I was a little slow getting out of bed and on the road this morning. I probably should have viewed it as a "sign" when it took me 3 tries to gather everything for the ride.

The first part of the route is one used by the local bike club. Another one of those "signs" was when one of the riders passed me for the third time and commented about it being like the "tortoise and the hare".

I can understand why the route is popular. It winds down the Eastern edge of the lake before crossing the damn and then meandering near the marina. Watching the sailboats as I was riding I couldn't help but wonder if I'd be preparing to sail around the world if Dad had decided to sail rather than bike.

Without knowing it I had selected a route that took me through the Vineyards Campground. This was really pleasant until I hit the tall fence at the other side of the campground 5 feet from the road I needed to get to.

Turns out the fence was well timed because as I started to ride out things got a little bumpy. Seems my back tire had decided enough was enough. Given the tires I've been riding on are probably 20 years old I've been really lucky to get this far.

While I had a spare tire with me the tools I was carrying were pretty limited so when my wife agreed to come rescue me the 17 miles I had already completed seemed like a good way to end the day.