We started cycling on Saturday with an unsettling clicking noise coming from the rear of the bike. We had tried to trace the problem the previous day with no luck and decided to press on hoping it would sort itself out. It’s not as daft as it sounds as the long chains on the tandem often click on the running gear.

After 20 miles we found the source of the problem. A rear wheel spoke had broken and wrapped itself around the hub. We suspect this happened on the flight over.

I was reasonably happy as I had imagined all sorts of problems with the rear Rholoff gears. Essentially if that had been knackered our journey was over.

So off we set, noise free and happy.

Here’s a picture of Susan on the bike at a time of happiness.

Our happiness lasted 10 miles until another spoke went down. Spokes are like dominoes – when one goes down it puts additional pressure on its buddies. By the time we reached Palatka (44 miles) the rear spoke platoon was down 3.

Now the best place to get the wheel repaired is Gainesville which is on our route. So early the following day we set off cycling to Gainesville.

Within 5 miles another 3 spokes were down. Bang. Bang. Bang. It was clear we would never make the landing in Gainesville so we retreated back to Palatka with no further casualties.

That’s great Susan thought ‘back safe and not stranded on the highway’. Unfortunately she has a hopeless optimist for a husband. By my reckoning it had all settled down and we could still go for it. So we turned the bike around and headed back to Gainesville.

Now this is where I begin to believe there is a higher power watching over me because we hadn’t gone 200 meters before we lost another. It’s like someone saying don’t be so stupid. Bang. Spoke down. Now turn around.

As it now stands we’re sitting in the conference room of a hotel at 1030am waiting for a room. Susan feels like she has cycled all day and looks like she has cycled all week. I’m still thinking maybe we could still get to Gainesville.

What happens now? We’re not sure. I expect it’s going to take a couple of days to sort. Our war planning meeting will be held this afternoon in Steamboat Willie’s over a cold beer or two.

So the trans America cycle started with a bang. Well 7 bangs to be precise.

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