California fires smoke has reached the canyon lands. Morning sunrise greets the day with an orange haze. Tom didn't sleep well, knowing Lockhart was waiting.
Jerrol has an hour head start. Tom is carrying liters of water in a backpack for drops 20 miles or so down Lockhart. The first trials bike rear tire goes flat. Tom returns for a second bike. The overflow hose breaks and shoots the topped off gas tank into Tom's face. Tom returns for the third. Jerrol now has a two hour head start. Early into Lockhart, a bolt is sheared from the rear sprocket and chewed up. Tom loses rear brake, a necessity on Lockhart. There is no more time and there are no more bikes.
Tom passes Jerrol and fights through Lockhart to the drop off point. On the return stops to say goodbye to a brief friendship and a grateful Jerrol. They are few, with huge hearts, tons of courage, always moving, the wandering souls of the Hayduke.
1 comment:
I knew you would it!
-h
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