Squirrelly J

Got up in time to meet the group for the early ride, but of course I still ended up being late. So I decided to meet them on the return. as I approached the stables I noticed a flashing red light up ahead on the levee. There they are and they are not going hard, yet. So I shift down a few gears and assume the time trial position and hopefully can last long enough to catch them. Doing well so far. After about a mile I have closed the gap to about 100 meters and psst...psst...psst...Fudge! Flat tire again. I decide to give what I have left and get to the group. Thank goodness Jeff took a look back and had everyone slow. I almost crashed into them as I said I have a flat.
Robin was quick to assist. I have no problem with that, since this is what he really enjoys to do and he does a great job. After checking everything out with my wheel and replacing the tube we were off. I noticed it was a small group. Good, no one should be out hammering away since my thighs have been screaming at me from the two previous days. We had a very civil ride out. We all took about two sign pulls and then peel off to the back. A nice clip at about 23-24.
When we turned there was a nice head/cross wind and it was blowing pretty hard. I had to stand on the pedals just to catch up to everyone before I lost them. Ended up at the back of the pack and behind the one guy that seems to always be in a group that just can't seem to keep things flowing. We will deem this guy "Squirrelly J". To make matters worse the eschelon left no room for me to get any relief or very little from time to time, since the levee is only about 7 to 8 feet wide. So I am the odd man out just trying to hang on and my thighs are burning from the two previous solo days in the wind.
Well "Squirrelly J" made me concentrate so hard on trying not to crash off the edge that I didn't think much about my legs. Constant yoyo effect with severe side to side movement. I know he has been told about this many times but it just doesn't sink in. Well it is good test of patience and I know before we finish the ride a few guys will drop off for home.
Thankful for three of them to go, I finally had room in the eschelon. Greatful for the job Donald and Luke did for us on the way home, since they pulled the entire time at about 23-24. I am not going to mess with someone elses workout. I needed that time at the back to spin and clean out some of the lactic acid that had pooled from the previous days. I just hope I can stay clear of "Squirrelly J" on future rides.