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Tonight the weather cleared up and so Andrea and I rode down to GPAC for Tuesday night ride. Memphis Velo pretty much dominated the ride tonight with probably at least 8 of the 14-15 riders who started. Matt, Chris, Dale, Rob, David, Michael, Chuck, and myself. Several of the boys either had a rough day at work because the punishment was doled out all ride even by those who raced on the weekend.

The one notable thing about this ride is general bad attitude from a few drivers (who probably also had bad days at the mill). It is enough to taint the ride, in my opinion, I will have to come out occasionally to test the legs in the group, but I don’t plan to be a regular.

About 20 miles into the ride, just after a group splitting attack, I heard a pop and my rear tire quickly deflated. Pulled on over and started to get my stuff out my seatpack while Andrea took off my tire to speed up the process. After a few seconds she pointed out the now obvious issue with the tire… it was worn down to the threads in one spot.

After asking around, a ketchup packet appearred from the group, I guess he found on the road (I honestly don’t remember who handed it to me). Put that it, trial inflated…had a tube bulge (tube under the bead) and redid the tube, reinflated. Back in business. Rode the rest of the ride taking it pretty easily over every bump (stand and unweighting, etc). Split off the group and rode with Andrea back to the house. Was literely right in front the house turning into the driveway when the tire blew again. Good timing. Glad I didn’t have to walk or wait for Andrea to come back and get me from somewhere out on the road…. R.I.P. Specialized Turbo Cipolini tire (an old tire in good shape I have trying to wear out this spring…. locking up the brakes and skidding will do that every time, better an old $30 tire than a $60-$100 tubular!).