Ich Bin Ein Dummkopf!

Not because I did this ride on Saturday:

Not because I did this ride on Sunday:

Because when I returned from that second ride I couldn’t find my car key, and a “thorough” search didn’t expose it. And because I was being “prepared” and had packed all of my non-essential items (including my second car key) into the trunk. And because, though I had left the car unlocked I couldn’t get into the trunk easily because I keep the trunk-lock latch engaged at all times (and the seats require a key to fold them down).

So I did the only thing I could, I called AAA to have them send a locksmith out to the Moreland Day Spa. I had been warned that the locksmith was going to have to make me a new key, at a cost of $175, of which AAA would pay $100. When the locksmith arrived he attempted to pick the lock of the trunk-latch. Upon failing he told me that he’d have to make a key, and in order to do so he’d have to take apart my driver-side door. Ugh! After much struggling I heard the trunk open. Success! Only the locksmith struggled so much to get the lock core out of my driver’s door that he resorted to another technique to defeat the locking system.

After reconstructing the door I made sure all electric locks and windows worked, and thanked the locksmith. Because he never actually made a key for me he didn’t charge me the $175 (whew), and I was on my way.

When I arrived home and started unloading my car I had a strange thought… What if my car key was in my helmet along with all of the other things I took on the ride? I remembered using the key to get a granola bar from the trunk, and then deciding to eat a muffin for pre-ride sustenance, and thought for sure that I had returned the key to the bedroom. But I didn’t.

When I dumped the contents of my helmet I saw — sweaty gloves, socks, sunglasses, granola bar, Clif Bloks, Road ID, and yes, car key. Ugh. I “never” put my car key into my bike jersey for fear of it falling out as I ride. Therefore, it shouldn’t have been in my bicycle helmet, and because I am a creature of habit I never even considered looking for my key in the helmet.

Ich bin ein Dummkopf!