Flat Tire

My Saturday started off as a beautiful day. I told G that I wanted to go for a bike ride, but he reminded me that my mountain bike tires were still on my bike.  G snuck out without me even knowing it and put on my road bike tires.  That made my morning.

I headed out for a ride, anticipating to be able to go 15-20 miles.  The ride was gorgeous.  I love the spring air, the sunshine that seems to warm right through me with its rays, and the beginnings of life again.  Combine that with the spin of my tires, the wind blowing through my hair, and thoughts of hitting the bike path for the first time in months, and I was in heaven.  I was nearing my turn-around point and loving every minute of it...

...Right until my tire went flat.

I turned around and kept pedaling, hoping that I could limp it home.  But I didn't want to bend my rim or ruin my tire so I got off and started walking.  I called G.  But his truck was, well, filled a little over capacity:  

(His is the front one.  They were helping a family in our ward move to a new home.)  Good thing that biker didn't need any help.  :)

So, I told him that I would just be walking and he could come get me when he got done.  

I walked for about 15 minutes and was nowhere near home.  I realized the amazing amount of ground I  was able to cover on a bike, especially compared to the amount of ground I was covering at the current moment...on foot...pushing along a bike...with a flat tire.  No fun.

Cars, trucks, and SUVs came and went.  I was off in my own world when a blue Ford truck slowed down and pulled off the side of the road.  I wasn't sure if I should be scared or excited.  A man rolled down his window.  I am a small town girl and this is just what people do, but I live in the city now.  I wasn't sure if this should change how I would normally act.  

Thoughts were quickly whirling around in my head, "What should I do?  Should I walk up to him and talk to him or quickly avoid him and go to the other side of the road? Is he a crazy person, like I hear about on the news?  Was he here to help me or hurt me?"  I realized that there is one person who knew the answers to my questions and it wasn't me.   I said a prayer in my heart that I would be prompted to know whether or not this was a good person, approached the truck, and started talking to the man.  Before he even said a word, I felt like he was a person I could trust and was comforted.

Inside the truck, I saw a kind old  man with white hair, gentle eyes, and a warm smile, probably in his seventies, sitting alone in the driver's seat of his crew cab pick-up truck.  He pointed at my bike and said, "Most people I see out here with a bike aren't walking.  Does that mean you are having a problem?"  

I explained to him that my tire was flat and that I was heading home.

He then posed the question that I have coached my kids for years now to ALWAYS refuse, "Do you want a ride?"  

I told him that my husband was on his way, but thanked him for his kindness.  

He looked at me and said, "Are you sure?  I can take you home right now."  

I called G and asked him if he had left yet and he said they were still unloading and would be a while.  I told G what was happening, and surprisingly, he seemed alright with it.

I took this man up on his offer.  He quickly threw my bike in the back.  We had a great conversation on the way home.  I learned a little bit about this semi-retired man who lived in a city nearby, who liked to spend his winters a little further south in the sunshine.  But what I learned about most was of the kindness of his heart and his willingness to serve a complete stranger through his actions.  

Before I knew it, he was pulling up in front of my house.  I thanked him and before he left, he told me his name.  It is amazing what you can find online.  Even though he wasn't on Facebook, his wife was.  :)

I was so thankful for this Good Samaritan who stopped and helped me in my time of need.  Even though I got a flat tire, it still turned out to be a beautiful day!