And I do mean Part Duh. Happily and warmly driving home talking about the upcoming sled season (appropriately enough in the snow), and we hear the typical thumpity-thump associated with a flat tire. We were only 2 miles from a rest area so we slowed, applied blinkers and got to safety.
No problem, we had a spare, this shouldn't take too long. that is, unless you don't have the special wrench required to remove the spare from the trailer tongue. the flat was more than flat at this point, more shredded than flat. it was removed and discarded. Took the third bike and loaded it into the truck ok that problem solved, now what about this little trailer. No tools at the gas station or McD's.
Now I want to make perfectly clear the #2, our Pez, clearly instructed us to push the empty trailer into a corner of the parking lot and come back for it later. #5 asked the question: what would happen if we just rode it on the rim? #23 was like Switzerland and remained neutral. #2, made one last attempt to inject reason into this mad thinking, but #5 was more curious about just how bad could 100 miles on a steel rim really be. The decision was left to #23 since it would be he that needed to return to the scene.
Off we rolled making more than a racket and I'm quite sure there were faces turned our way with the unique and universal expression of: is it possible that they don't know they are about to pull onto a high speed public roadway without a tire on that trailer??? what's that?
It was mentioned more than once that the trailer seemed to be getting quieter as we rolled on and there were no signs of swerving and pointing as cars passed us by... until... two young travellers pulled up beside us and implored us to pull over. Now when I saw what was where the steel rim used to be the only idea that came to my mind was that I was looking at a meteorite at the end of the axle. with my questioned answered, we tried to make it to the next exit to leave the trailer but not before Massachusetts finest came to our rescue.
I thought he would throw me in jail, he was pissed, and I really don't blame him one bit. After 15 minutes the flatbed showed up. we disconnected and he gave #23 a card where the trailer was being taken. The officer was a real prince in light of the stupid risk I had taken and I will be ever grateful. You're never too old to stop learning - and boy did I learn that day. Thank the great spirit no one was hurt from my poor judgement. And better yet, #2 never even said "I told you so". He is a good spirit too.
The salvage of the trailer is another story, but not too funny or interesting. But we did "raise the Titanic" and get 23 trailer home safe and sound the next day. It was a pretty good "trail fix" but I can tell you that #23 will never forget the spare tire wrench again.
