Eight Flats and a Handgun

It was another wet and foggy morning. The air was warmer and thicker than it had been yesterday, and as I rode out to the Starbucks on wet streets I wondered if anyone would show up.  I myself was planning on doing something like I'd done the day before, perhaps riding out to the end of Hayne before turning back.  I knew the muscles in my upper back would be screaming by then anyway. 

I guess there were a dozen riders this morning.  Keith had announced the return of the TVR rides, and given the small group, wet streets and fog, I figured I may as well do that ride since it heads back toward the levee and the pace stays generally under 20 mph.  The mist was so thick when we left that it was essentially raining, but that eased up and we had only the damp street to deal with.

We rode out on Metairie Road down to Central Avenue where we turned toward the river, crossing the multiple railroad tracks underneath the Earhart expressway.  Just as we got there I noticed something on the side of the road and said, "Was that a holster?"  One of the guys had seen it too and it was indeed a holster containing a 9mm handgun.  He picked it up, removed the clip and we rode on, eventually handing it off to a levee district police officer (they had him sign some paperwork for that). 

Anyway, it wasn't long after we'd gotten onto the bike path that the flats started.  I think he ultimately had three or four, and along the way we had another three or four.  I think the total was eight.  On the plus side, the frequent stops gave me time to stretch out the injured muscles in my back.  Somehow I myself escaped flatting.

The muscles in my back are still a long way from fine, and unfortunately they hurt most when I'm riding, so I think it's going to be another week or two before they are back to normal, assuming there isn't some other more serious injury there.