Fortunately, I was stopped this afternoon when I discovered that I was one bolt short of a happy touring rig. As I straightened out my BOB/bicycle (the bobcicle, as Jess calls it), part of of the BOB fell right off the cycle. Realizing that I was either going to leave this trailer behind or just set up camp on the side of the highway, I began riffling through my gear in search of a spare bolt. Much to my surprise, I actually had one that fit perfectly! But much to my dismay, I found that it was useless to keep the BOB on the skewer unless I had a perfect nut or washer or something...duct tape wasn't going to solve this one. So we made a plan that I'd ride the 8 miles back towards Silver City, get some parts to hopefully do the trick, and ride back. I had made it half way to the appropriate side of the highway to begin my jaunt back, when a gold minivan pulled up in the middle of the road and the driver started asking me all about my bicycle trip. Of course I was happy to tell him all about it. I also told him of my current predicament, which was even more tricky to explain with cars whizzing by than it is to describe here in this blog. I shared my plan to ride to the hardware store. After asking me twice if I needed anything, I finally caved and asked for a ride. I cannot explain how thankful I felt to Joe Wade, Sr. and Joe Wade, Jr. as they drove me up and over those eight miles of hills I had just ridden down with a tailwind. They helped me pick out a nice selection of parts that would hopefully do the job.
On the way back, we chatted all about cycling and how much Joe Wade, Jr. is enjoying it. From his experience he knows the importance of carrying extra gear. He had driven by at the prefect time to observe the "riffling" part of my above story and thought he better turn around to see if we needed help. I talked with his lovely wife Karen on the phone to give her our blog address. I discovered that she grew up in Pacific Beach where we started and Joe Wade, Jr. grew up in Florida where we're ending. I'm quite thankful that 20 years of marriage has landed them happily and (very helpfully!) in the great state of New Mexico.
Delightfully, the parts worked! And I have a handful of spares if I need to make adjustments.
I struggle to ask for help. I am so thankful that today I met such generous folks who didn't struggle to offer it!
Keeping with the trend, we are currently bedding down in a cozy trailer in Hanover, NM. A kind man insisted we sleep in it so we "don't end up in the jaws of a mountain lion." But that's another story for another blog post.
Goodnight!
Caley
Location:Nm Highway 90,Bayard,United States
I remember a time long ago in my youth when I brought two bicyclists on their way from Missouri to CA into my home for showers and a real bed. I fed them breakfast in the morning and off they went. Tad's father always gives backpackers a ride to the CO Trail from town so maybe we can claim credit for a bit of your good karma. Stay safe!
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