When problems arise...

Stranded.

11 miles from our destination. After 3.5 days and 200 miles of cycling my friend's bike broke down. (Like rear derailleur hanging off the bike. No chance of fixing it on the road.)

We pulled off the road. In the parking lot of the Frankfort Ilion Veteran's Hall, he tried to salvage his bike.

11:30am now. The train was at 12:42pm. What do you do?

Ask for a ride? Polite declines.

Call 911? Here's a list of cab companies.

Call cab companies? Out of business, out of business, no vans or SUVs, one can be there in a hour (too close to depend on).

Call an Uber? Should have thought of that sooner. We found a driver!

End of story?

Nope. Problems arise...

A mudslide in Westchester. No trains are going south of Albany.

Stranded again.

But where? Can we rent a car in Utica? Enterprise is closing.

Do we take the train to Albany and rent a car? Yes, let's go!

Is there a rental car company near the train station? Yes, it's closed :(

Now what? Split up, leave the bikes at the train station, take a cab to the airport, rent a car, drive back to the train station, load the bikes, and drive back home to NYC (phew)

When problems arise we often (too often) curse and yell, blame others, or throw our hands in the air, as if nothing can be done.

But sometimes, in rare moments, we think clearly enough to solve the problems in front of us, step-by-step, without any drama.

If only I could get 10% better at doing this in daily life...