The trail eases up, and I climb back on my bike and begin peddaling. The rocks turn to mud, and I hear Tony -- who's riding point -- in the headpiece again: "Easy gear, mate. Easy gear." We begin to climb and dismount to pass through a gate. After we're through the gate, Jason realizes his rear tire is flat.
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| Jason fixes one of several flats he suffered during our rides. |
"I haven't had a flat up here in six years," I say, repeating the words Jason had spoken only a few hours earlier during the 30-mile drive from Abergavenny to Brecon. Tony and I both bust out laughing as Jason curses his bike, the tire and the rain.
Actually, I need the break. While they work on the tire, I pant and take a few swigs of water.
"Look at that," Jason says, holding up a nasty thorn that he just plucked from his tire.
We're ready to ride again, but then Jason realizes his front tire is flat, too. This is more than we're prepared for. Tony tells Jason to double back to the road. We'll radio Richy, who's driving the support van, as soon as we're in range and tell him to go back and pick up Jason.
Jason picks up his bike and goes back through the gate while Tony and I proceed forward. The going is much easier now, and I'm enjoying the ride. The rain has let up some and I'm catching my second wind.