I took off just after 6:00 am this past Saturday, August 3rd, with intentions to do a longer ride, but the rain showed up before I even made it to Purtis Creek State Park, which is 12 miles away. So, I turned around and rode back toward home. As I got back into Mabank on the US175 shoulder, the pavement was dry again, so I decided I would just do laps back and forth on the shoulder near Mabank until the rain made me head for home.

But, I’d barely made it into Mabank when I picked up a large roofing staple in the rear tire. Somehow, it didn’t penetrate and flatten the tube, but it took a sizeable chunk out of the tire, and left the cord showing. I figured it just wasn’t in the cards for me to do an outdoor ride that day, and headed on home to end up with just 20 miles. I rode another 40 on the Xtream on the trainer at home.

That hadn’t been a problem in July. I rode 70 miles each of the first three Saturdays, then did 80 miles on the 27th. It was my first 80 mile ride of the year. I ended up with 560 miles for the month.

The July 27th 80 mile route.