The Big Muddy (Day 3 and 4)

 Yesterday, Sunday, we left Hermann MO, heading to Jefferson City (the capitol of MO, which I did not know). The Big talk before we left was the weather. Around noon severe thunderstorms we predicted. Also, I had looked to see if Jefferson City had any bike shops because the day before I had my inner tube changed on my back tire and the it really wasn't the right size. If there was a shop (there was) I would by a proper sized one and have that one put in. The shop closed at noon on Sundays. So we had 45 miles to ride and looming in the back of my mind was the thunderstorms and getting to the bike shop on time. The ride started with beautiful weather and was going splendidly. At our half way point refreshment/water stop I called the bike shop. He had the correct inner tubes and would reopen his shop fore if I was going to be a little late as I wasn't sure I could get there by noon. I told Charlene I was going to ride ahead to try to get there before he closed. I normally don't use my pedal assist on my ebike but this was an exception. I turned it on and rode (as my dad would say) hell bent for election ( which I believe is as fast as a bat out of hell). About 6 or 7 miles out, my tire went flat. I was in udder shock. The sky was getting very dark. I had just enough air to still plod along. I did run into a guy who had a pp so I added a little air and I continued on. Still using my pedal assist I was able to hobble to the bike shop 20 minutes before he closed. I was able to get the tube changed and get an extra. I thanked him and excitedly rode back to camp. I beat the rain and life was good.  

Fast forward to today, we left Jefferson City on a ,49 mile ride to Booneville. We were more leisurely riding as the weather was ideal and my tire problems were solved. We stopped along the way to read historical plaques along the route describing the Lewis and Clark expedition, as we were on the same route. It was truly Gorgeous out. At mile 37 there was a beautiful little restaurant right on the trail. We ate and talked for probably an hour. We left and got on our bikes only to discover my tire was flat, OMG!!! 3 days, three flats. There is a team of guys who help with problems and injuries on the ride and one of them happened to be there then and we decided I would just load my bike in the van and skip the last 12 miles. We talked for a while as he had to wait for another guy to ride in. After a while we flip my bike upside down and took a look at my tire. He took it off and found 2 tiny pieces of glass imbedded in the tire. He felt confident that that was my problem, so he changed my tube. I was still a little unsure but asked him what he would do if he were I. He said the weather was so nice that he'd turn the bike on full power and blast out the lady 22 miles, which I did. Booneville has a Walmart, so I thought I'd buy a new tire and more tubes just to be safe. They didn't have the exact size tire I needed so I thought I could go smaller ( and a couple guys concurred with me). I came back to camp ready to swap out tires. The bike repair guy helped me. We put the thinner tire in the front and started on the back tire when suddenly the front tire blew ( like a gunshot). So much for my an. I am back to my original tires except we swapped front with back. Tomorrow will be the real test. Fingers crossed. 

Here is a Lille Gem We Found in Hermann, a Pork Vending Machine