Geoffolution: Tour of Thorns

I thought I was stopping to lend a helping hand, end up I was the one that got all the helps!

Today's 35-mile ride started from Griffith Park. It was 45'F when I woke up. Again struggled to get out of bed.

The first part was similar to what we did last week (Studios Tour). Followed by a loop to northern part of Glendale/Burbank with a stop at the Sunland Produce market. Challenge of the day was riding up La Tuna Canyon, a 4.5-mile steady inclined.

From Sunland Produce, we took a right turn to La Tuna, there were a few workers working on the roadside. We didn't pay much attention to what they were doing. Less than 50 yards from the site, I saw Brian, who was riding behind me pull over to check his bike. As we always do as a group riding buddy, I stopped and see if he needed any help.

He believed he had a flat, because there were some thorns on his tire. I looked at my tires immediately, and realized there were thorns all over my tires! Once I pull it off, I started to hear the unwanted leaking noise. Argh...!

At first I thought I was helping him, end up I need help myself! It has been over 3 years since I had a flat, and glad to find out I still remember how to change a flat tire. However, the problem was the tube I put in had a big hole. I had to put in another tube. This time, the tube's valves broke when I tried to pump in some air. I couldn't believe this was happening to me.

Then Mel and Chris along with Tony and Jen rode by (they were behind us as the sweeping team). Mel help fixed my rear tire, since I ran out of spare tubes, he loan me one! On the other hand, my front tire had the same problem too. I thought I was going to ask for another tube from them, end up Chris decided to patch the hold instead, which was great. So Chris and Brian helped me fixed the front tire.

With a nearly 30 minutes delay, we continue our ride up La Tuna Canyon, my first hill climb in 3 years. Half way through the hill, my front tire was starting to loose air. So once again, I pulled over to the side, with Chris' help, we found a second hole! Once again, my fourth of the day, we patch the hold.

I'm glad we all made it to Montrose, where we had our 2nd rest stop. Then I realized Brian and I weren't the only persons with flats from the thorns. Everyone else has at least one flat! (Except the 4 TRLs). It really wasn't my day, but like Chris said, "at least you're with us" which really made me feel better.

The total number of flat - 15! I had 4 and top the list!

Despite all of these thorns, the ride was great. Weather went up to 60s by the time we finished.