BAM!!! tinkle, tinkle,tinkle. It sounded like a glass bottle exploding on the pavement right in front of me except the handlebars shuddered in my hands.

I had just left work two hours late after another emergency project to cap off another busy, busy day...but everything went smoothly and satisfyingly. I was looking forward to the ride home. The ride in on my main commuter (2015 Charge Plug non electric) was fast and smooth and easy with temps rising from 32F to 40F along the way.

The temperature had fallen back down to 43F when I finally left at 7pm. I hopped on the trail and descended to the first underpass. It was full of people huddled around a makeshift fire, their belongings and trash squeezing me to a narrow passage on the opposite side of the path...then

BAM!!! tinkle, tinkle, tinkle.

The front wheel shuddered and began slowing the bike. I didn't want to stop in the underpass so I pushed on a few dozen yards. Both tires held air but the front fender support had come out of the breakaway front hub clips. I pressed the right clip back together but the left clip was missing.

I was able to ride another 1/4 mile until the fender began rubbing against the tire. I pulled out a zip-tie I had in my bag but it disintegrated before even tightening it. I had an elastic band in my bag and used it to keep the fender in a workable position for the ride home

I believe I have another fender mounting clip in my bike stuff in the shed.

Still better than driving.