The Hotel Owners in Seymour, Texas — and the Wrench
Quick Answer: On a long-distance bicycle tour, a broken spoke miles from help can turn into a nightmare — unless you have the right tools and a little luck. A multi-tool with a spoke wrench and a spare spoke or two can save the day, and sometimes, the kindness of strangers makes all the difference. My first day on a tour out to the city of Pensacola was brutal — over 100 miles in just under 100-degree weather. My destination that night was a tiny place called Guthrie, Texas, where I ended up sleeping in a football stadium restroom. The next morning, I rolled out early to beat the heat. I was headed for Seymour — only about 65 miles — where I had a serious upgrade waiting for me: a camper trailer instead of a concrete bathroom stall. I figured I’d arrive early, get some rest, and be ready for a longer ride to Bowie the next day. But the universe had other plans. Just five miles outside of Guthrie, I heard the unmistakable sound of a spoke snapping on my back wheel. I’ve al...
