I had no plans for actual labor this Labor Day, but it kinda worked out otherwise.

Amy went to work, while the boys and I had a plan to take a bike ride before Asher’s nap. Before we could ride, I had to fix the flat on my bike (lousy patch job on the last flat). Last time I had a flat on the rear tire, I just left it on the bike instead of messing with the chain. This time, I planned on actually replacing the tube, so I got a little greasy with the chain. Easy repair though.

Next step was to hook up Asher’s tag-along bike to my bike for the ride. He hadn’t ridden it much, and I wanted it to be in good shape for the ride. I’ll spare the details but it took a half a dozen tries at various configurations before I finally removed my rear rack and used old inner tube to shim the tag-along clamp. More grease and I’m kinda frustrated now, since it took longer than I expected.

Ready to go? Not quite yet. Truman’s bike is at his cousin’s house. Load up the other bikes, and go get Tru’s bike. Kinda late now…need some food. We head to McDonald’s for take out on the way to the park where we’re planning to ride.

Wait! WHAT’S THAT NOISE? Sounds like something is seriously messed up somewhere in the front of the car. Lotsa thumping, especiallly when I apply the brakes. Not good. We pull over into the nearest parking lot to investigate. I remember that while I was working on the bikes, I briefly saw Asher squatting near the front passenger side tire. I gently ask him if he did anything with the tire. “No”, he replies. I’m sure he’s the culprit. We’re stopped now, so I question further, assuring him that he isn’t in trouble. Our driveway is gravel…I suspect there might be rocks in the brake shoe. Asher finally gives it up and we do a quick walkaround the car. He shows me where he put two rocks into the wheel. I investigate further and sure enough, there’s a large rock wedged between the wheel and the brake. I can move it around with my fingers, but it’s not coming out easily. Looks like more greasy hands on the horizon.

I head to the back of the car, empty out the kids bikes, figure out where the jack and tire iron are (they’ve apparently never been used before this) and get to work jacking up the car and removing the wheel. I get four of five bolts off and the rock drops to the ground. I walk it back to Asher and hand it to him, saying gently but firmly, “Never do that again.” He gets it.

Put the tire back on, replace the jack and stuff where I found ’em, load the bikes back in, and finally head to McDonalds. A quick bite, and no further complications.

We had a real nice ride around Champoeg Park. The bike odometer says we went 7.4 miles, which was pretty good for Truman. He only had to push his bike up one hill, though I did put my hand on his back up a couple of others. Asher was a champ on the tag-along and loved every minute of it. He also got lots of admiring smiles as we passed people. Must’ve been his attire. The shorts and cowboy boots are a trademark.

Asher had a looong nap when we got home, too. It was a good day to end the summer. Truman starts second grade tomorrow and Asher starts preschool next week. Onward.