So Far, It's Not My Summer
@teamfreak16 (43418)
Denver, Colorado
July 15, 2016 3:02am CST
Every year, my goal is to ride my bike at least 1000 miles. Most years, it's fairly easy to do, although there have been years I've fallen short. 2016 might be a year I fall short.
It started off well enough. By the end of May, I already had 300 miles, and I wasn't even, due to weather and such, able to ride consistently. We're now midway through July, and I don't even have 350 miles.
Halfway through June, my front tire went flat. Even if I were mechanically inclined, which I'm not, I was broke. I couldn't afford a new tube, let alone labor at my favorite locally-owned bike shop. There went two weeks.
July 1st, I finally got it fixed, and managed a 19-mile ride, after which it again went flat. I got it fixed, again, and went on a short 6-mile errand ride two mornings ago.
Now, the back tire is flat, and again, I'm broke. That's another two weeks, a total of one lost month. Not to mention, once I'm able to start riding again, I'll have to rebuild up to the riding shape I was in. (During this down time, I'm going to try to get back into jogging just to try to keep my cardio up a little. )
Needless to say, it's a bit frustrating.
Meanwhile, here's a photo of me with my bike, taking a break while mountain biking in Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs a couple years ago.
8 people like this
11 responses
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
15 Jul 16
I've not had any luck with sealant. Tires are a possibility, but they are fairly new. I think I'm just having some bad luck this year.
1 person likes this
@Dextoi (1845)
• Philippines
15 Jul 16
@mammots at least they don't flat out as much as tubes do...that's what they say...
@teamfreak16 must be some road dents and debris that caused the early tear
2 people like this
@koopharper (7601)
• Canada
15 Jul 16
I finally have an operational bike again but it still needs some adjustment and work. I hope to reduce some of the back and forth with the family van to work. Can't make a regular commute out of it though. 20 km each direction. I have done close to that in the past but I'm not getting any younger and I tried to do that back in my twenties and couldn't hang with it very long. There is also the issue of arriving at work looking like I've been dragged through a hedge backwards. I have to be presentable. 1000 miles per year is a pretty good goal.
3 people like this
@koopharper (7601)
• Canada
15 Jul 16
@teamfreak16 In the not so distant past I had a motto for my cycling. All season, all weather all the time. My restriction though is the fact that I have to look presentable on the job and the distance is at the absolute limit of my reasonable range. What is doable is if my wife needs the vehicle and riding home would save a trip's worth of gasoline. Several times a week that would have a positive impact on the family budget.
2 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
15 Jul 16
I used to commute to work. You're right, there are days you just can't do it.
2 people like this
@mammots (3209)
• Philippines
15 Jul 16
I envy you for having a bike. Pardon me for having to use the word envy but i do feel that way. I've always wanted to own a bike ...hmm not a mountain bike like yours ... but i still have to save up for it. Biking is a excellent form of exercise.
2 people like this
@mammots (3209)
• Philippines
15 Jul 16
@teamfreak16 I think all muscles are used when riding a bike though i am totally afraid to ride a mountain bike ...i just like to ride the small bike so my ...hmm short legs can reach the paddle 
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
15 Jul 16
It is. It's my favorite exercise.
2 people like this
@toniganzon (72281)
• Philippines
16 Jul 16
I feel you. Good that you could jog during those days you can't ride. I experienced having to rest for months and when I went back to riding my bike, I had a hard time. Now i only get to ride during the weekends and i'm trying to gain back my strength.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72281)
• Philippines
16 Jul 16
@teamfreak16 My brother just asked me this morning if i'm really for an 86 kilometre ride tomorrow. I want to try.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
16 Jul 16
I know. I'm going to have to ride myself back into shape again.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
15 Jul 16
I hope so. Thanks for the encouragement.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109846)
• Los Angeles, California
15 Jul 16
It appears your 1000 mile goal is falling flat.
2 people like this
@amadeo (111938)
• United States
15 Jul 16
@teamfreak16 anything we can do to cheer you up
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
15 Jul 16
Sorry to hear about all that trouble with your bike!
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
15 Jul 16
It happened a couple years ago too. I'm really going to have to push it once I can get going again.
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
21 Aug 16
No, unfortunately, it's not fixed. This summer has been a disaster! 
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
15 Jul 16
I know. It happened to me a couple years ago, too. I think I still managed to hit a thousand, though.
1 person likes this
