A Little Ingenuity

You've been doing race events for several years now.

After a 4 month break, it's time for the first race of a new season.

So you mark the date on your calendar, send in some money, and make a hotel reservation.

When the date arrives, you pull out your race kit from the previous year and pack up the truck.

You savor the familiar feel and routine of getting ready, while at the same time feeling the unfamiliar--it's been awhile.

Each year, the first race of the year is held at White Sands Missile Range. This year the race runs into some glitches. You end up leaving your truck outside of the base gate, and riding in with your race gear on your back. The delay at the gate means there is less time for pre-race prep.

So with minutes to spare you hurriedly rack your bike.

Then.

You pull out your racing flats.

As your shoe leaves the cloth storage bag that it's been in since the last race of last year, you suddenly get that sinking deja vu, "oh yeah, didn't I use that shoe lace for something?" feeling... and your left shoe makes it's appearance--naked and incomplete.

Then you remember: That sudden stop on the I-25 on-ramp when 3 dogs decided to cross just as you were starting to accelerate to merge onto the highway. You avoided hitting the dogs, but the person behind you made a remarkable dent in your rear bumper (fortunately, no injuries), and you tied on your broken and bent license plate with... your shoe lace.

Now, the race is about to start.

So you dig out two plastic zip ties (one white and one black) and attempt to close the shoe gap.

Then, your girlfriend donates the shoe-string-like lanyard from her key ring.

The result looks like this:

The system is adequate, but loose.

So, you dig one more time into your race bag.

And you end up with this:

The race goes as well as can be expected after a 4 month hiatus.

You don't even notice the duct tape and plastic on your left shoe.

It's your RIGHT shoe that becomes untied, which requires a stop to re-tie.

Still, you enjoy the competition and finish 5th place overall.

There's something to be said for a roll of duct tape

and

a little ingenuity.