Routine includes flats

What time we set our alarms for is determined by breakfast. For example, today breakfast was at 0630. That means alarms go off at 0530, we start rolling up our bed, don our cycling gear, pack our bags, load our personal gear on the trailer, fill the coolers, fill the drink coolers, grab breakfast, pack the remainder of the food, load it on the trailer, load the additional support vehicle, clean the church, and then assemble outside with bicycles for instructions, devotion, and prayer. Melissa then leads the cheer, "Roundup to Harlowton" and all answer "Oyee!" ("Oyee" is an African word of approval Millard Fuller learned from his mission work).

Then we hit the road, some sprinting to the lead to race to our destination, others forming groups to take a more casual ride. I'm usually last, just before the "sweeps", because I'm fiddling around with my camera, forget to take my cleat covers off so can't mount my pedals...whatever. I'm in no hurry, and once on the road find my pace and go with it. Some days I might feel inspired and head toward the front, chasing the leaders, or just somewhere in the middle or rear. We have riders that typically remain last so I rarely end up there, unless I get a flat.

I had a flat yesterday, and again today. I was doing so well, too, but the seal is broken. Last year I had well over a dozen in 3,700 miles. If near the rear of the group all will pass (offering help of course) and the sweeps will catch up. Their duty is to remain with the rider until repairs are made and is cycling, or arrange for a pick-up. I resumed my ride, and came across a group of riders stopped for one of them to repair a flat. As they were doing that, one of them had his second flat of the day- it was just one of those days. Other than that the roads were just fine, the climb very gradual, and the weather most favorable.

We are the guests of Harlowton Wesleyan Church. It is an older, modest building in an old modest western town, on the slopes of the Crazy Mountains. Our showers were at the community pool, in which I took a dip just to soak myself. For wi-fi we have the White Mountain Coffee Company shop a couple of blocks from the church. Routine. It continues from here; relax, repair inner tubes, dinner provided by the church and then we give our presentation, clean-up, and lights out.

Coffee shop is closing...gotta go.