flat tire | madameblogalot

Aug 2

flat tire

Posted by madameblogalot at 1:37 pm in something new

My husband almost never goes with me on my long work out on Saturdays. Last night we decided it would be fun to go together, so we both got up early and headed out to the pool. We cycled there and back. On the way back, I got a flat rear tire. This has never happened to me before and I was really glad my husband was with me.

He had already prepped my bike with a spare tube, tire tools and a hand pump. He showed me how to get the tire off the bike, how to get the tire off the rim, take out the tube and replace it and get the tire back on the rim. Then we tried to pump it up. That hand pump just would not get the job done. After several minutes with no seeming effect, he looked and found he had some CO2. At this point another cyclist stopped to help us. (Thank You!) He had used the CO2 before and stayed to see how we did with it. It worked and got my tire nearly half full of air, enough to get us home. (At this point a group of cyclists rode by and called out to see if we needed help. Thank you to ya’ll too!)

I replaced the wheel on the bike and we headed back home. This was a really good experience for me and I am so glad it happened when my husband just happened to be along! (THANKS!)

flat tire has 4 Comments

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Shelly wrote:
August 3rd, 2008 at 6:27 pm

It’s good that you were prepared. I have been out with a group of friends cycling before, and none of us had a spare tube with us. When one of the group got a punctured tire, we had to push the bike back about 3 miles, in the middle of the night. (It was fun!)

I usually change my own tires (unless I am just lazy). I like the chance to double check my rims and spokes, and just generally look at the condition of the bike. I probably don’t do as good a job maintaining it as I should, but I find the whole cycling experience more enjoyable when you are able to take care of the minor problems that crop up from time to time.
madameblogalot wrote:
August 4th, 2008 at 1:09 pm

I did learn a lot this time! I need another “opportunity” to reinforce what I learned and make sure I got it right (not that I am really asking for another flat tire!) One thing my husband mentioned was before longer rides that we need to go over the tires to do a quick check.

I think I need to get another tube and some CO2 to keep in my pack too, just in case….
madameblogalot wrote:
August 4th, 2008 at 1:09 pm

oh yeah, it’s always more fun w/ a group of friends!
Shelly wrote:
August 5th, 2008 at 6:05 pm

I do always carry a tube of CO2 as well, even though I have always carried a fairly good pump on my bike. The pump is not working well now, as of the last few months. With the boys here this summer, I haven’t gone to replace my on-bike pump, but did buy a new clunky thing to keep at home (in the truck right now — ever ready!).