The Wingnuts Wanderings

 Aggravation and frustration are just a few of the things that I'm feeling now. These tires I'm running are not supposed to flat. Supreme puncture resistance is supposed to be their claim to fame. The other morning I awoke to a flat rear tire. I did everything you are supposed to do. Check the inside of the tire for anything sharp protruding the inner belts that would cause a flat. I felt one small sharp wire through the tread and thought I removed it successfully.  Installed a new tube and off I went. 35 miles into my ride I felt that tell tale wiggly of the rear end. Another flat. What the hell? Not wanting to pull the panniers to change a flat on the side of a hot, sunny busy road I decided to try and pump up the tire and see how far I could go. Wiggle wobble a short time later it was soft again. With less than four miles to town I pumped it up again. Hopefully I can get there.  Baker City is a small city in eastern Oregon.  I arrived in town, and with a rest day planned. I

9 days total, 8 days riding , one rest day Camped 5 nights, hotel/motel/Holiday Inn 4 nights. 384.6 miles, 16,110' of elevation gain.  The tour began in Astoria Oregon on July 1, 2023. Almost a month after I really wanted to start. Three days south along the coast to Pacific City. The scenery was astounding 

 Decisions! Who gets to decide? What contributes to that decision. What about the doubts and the indecision. The more you think about it the harder that decision becomes.  I have had the urge to travel for awhile now. Originally I was going to convert a van into a rolling home and wander widely. The pandemic and more indecision made that path lead to a dead end. For years I have followed people who rode the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, a 75% off road bicycle touring route. I have often thought about riding it myself. Although cyclists complete the route solo, it is recommended you don't because of the remoteness of the route. Someday maybe. Another decision. April of 2019 I retired and in May of that year I started my first cross country ride. 3/4 of the way through The Trans American Trail I detoured in Kentucky north missing the last 1200 miles of the Trans Am. Why not go back and ride it from end to end. Really? More decisions. The bike was ready, I have all of the gear. Ju