Day 7: Salome-Avondale

I'm cursed! I had mentioned that 3 evenings ago after the very difficult 70 mi ride, as we were puting the bikes away I noticed my rear wheel was soft. Changing the tube the next am I also replaced the tire because it had been damaged the first day. Then last night before lights out I found the same wheel was soft and found a pinpoint hole in which a tiny wire was still imbedded (from the steel-belted tires and treads cast off by big trucks; such debris is encountered all along the interstate and such punctures are a special hazzard of travel on the inerstate), I fixed the the flat and turned in. The followind morning I was informed that people sleeping near my bike heard a loud pop at 10:40 pm and this am found my rear tire was flat again. So I had to quickly replace the tube. We had had to get up at at 5:00 am because the chidren were arriving at 7:00. We headed out at 7:00. The temp was 45F but wind conditions were good and the terrain was flat and the skies were clear so it gradually warmed up and all made good time, especially the first 30 mi so overall it was a good day's ride for all. Most had arrived at the Salvation Army after an 87 mi ride by 2:30 pm. We're feeling more confident. We had an outdoor shower then headed out to a Mexican restaurant. So far my tire is holding it's pressure.