2015 50 states and 13 colonies

I’m going to roll out at the back to avoid the crowding.

As always, my New Mexico zia jersey will be making its appearance. It’s about the best way to meet New Mexicans as well—apparently, the Taos bike shop where I got it is one of two in the state where you can find the “Ride with Enchantment” jersey.

As for the bike…those of you who know about Marianne Kate Bianchi will probably have no trouble at all finding me.

Ya’ll have fun now, ya hear! I rode 51 miles todayhttps://www.strava.com/activities/390358326 in honor of the (not) 51st state. Knees couldn’t handle another 13 miles to get the 50 States distance in.

I was wearing my VeloDCity red jersey.

@Rod Smith 124090 wrote:

Nice ride! All-Star Boomer Cabarle led, All-Stars Sherri Joyner and Chris Maimone swept. I never saw Boomer, saw a lot of Sherri and Chris! [emoji14]

This what Boomer wore as lead ride marshal [emoji4]

The many looks of a WABA #50states ride marshal:

At the pre-ride safety briefing. Reminder to self: pick up badges at the dollar store!

The bad WABA marshal:

The #BAFS2015 Team-who-must-not-be-named captain SteveC and marshal Boomer:

The post-ride gotta-have-a-drink marshals Man of Steel, Boomer and Bruno Moore:

I must say, the 50 States Ride this year was tough. The rain was okay (expected), making wrong turns was okay (expected), and the beer at the end was okay (expected), but the theme of this ride was the 4 flats that I got (3 on rear tire, 1 on front). Tube leaks in order: 1) rear tube slow leak, replaced with spare at 1st pit stop (no objects found poking in/out of tire/rim), 2) rear tube slow leak, pumped up at 2nd pit stop and later replaced with 2nd back-up, 3) again rear tube slow leak, patched at 3rd pit stop and stayed at full pressure (yay!) for the rest of the ride, and 4) front tube puncture, patch attempted after 4th pit stop but kept losing pressure (no more spare tubes) so I had to repump every 2 miles. To everyone who offered to help me (some multiple times, as I caught up with, passed, and later would be passed by some riders), I am very thankful and appreciative of your concern.

I provided some first aid (first use of my day hiker first aid kit which is the size of a wallet and is very easy to throw in the bike bag) to a cyclist who had crashed at the corner of Texas/Nash. When I encountered her, she was sitting at the corner on the side of the road by herself with a bloody right knee. I was worried that she may have been in shock as she was not moving, so I stopped and offered help. Hopefully the gauze pad and tape I used on her knee stayed on to stop the bleeding (sweat and rain do not help).

I was exhausted after reaching the Mellow Mushroom, so I apologize that I was not in a very social mood (my mood was: I want to be home with a nice hot shower and sleep!) and did not try to seek other forum-members. All in all, I ended up riding 93 miles for the day since I had to get to/from the ride from my apartment near the Mark Center, so I was tired and frustrated from my ongoing bike issues (flats, flats, FLATS!!!).

I will be at happy hour this Thursday, though, so I promise to be a little more friendly (not difficult since I like our group).

Here’s my pics from the day:

pb&j lunch at the halfway point (2nd pit stop)
[IMG]http://bikearlingtonforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=9628&stc=1[/IMG]

front of shirt (white text lists the full set of directions)
[IMG]http://bikearlingtonforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=9629&stc=1[/IMG]

back of shirt
[IMG]http://bikearlingtonforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=9630&stc=1[/IMG]

tired, but not too tired for a free beer!
[IMG]http://bikearlingtonforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=9631&stc=1[/IMG]