Today, with just clouds in the sky and nothing falling from them, I intended to do a 55+ mile ride. It was not to be.

My first clue was that the Buena Vista Ferry was closed due to a mechanical issue. So, instead of crossing the ferry and riding in the Wells Landing area, we began our return along Riverside Drive. Approaching the Independence Bridge my rear tire blew. It suffered a sudden, complete and total loss of air containment. The side wall failed.

I used a five dollar bill to boot it, inserted a new tube and inflated it. It seem to hold air and I decided to continue on. The boot lasted for perhaps 1/4 mile, just long enough to ride across the bridge. I quickly decided that I would not try to boot it again and called for rescue.

Today, I saw my first truck full of Christmas Trees. The harvest has begun.