I took off on an '89 Ironman, no partners willing, on a 25-miler. Having already had one flat this year, I made sure to have my kit.

Sure enough 7.5 miles in, a small rock started that rhythmic hissing sound I've come to know and dread.

Off the bike I hop, doff the helmet, take the bag off the bike, pull out the CO2, tube, lever, reach down and....

....anti-theft skewers. No wrench in the bag, which has been on a carbon bike w/QR.

7.5 mile walk home, pushing an Ironman, carbon-soled shoes with Look Delta's. Dozens of cars and trucks and vans whizzed by.

I saw several dead opossum's, a raccoon or two, maybe a couple of cats, couldn't quite tell. Didn't matter, as I wasn't that hungry. One kind of looked like stromboli.

Only took 90 minutes or so, glad the shoulder is mostly grass and still soft.