DIY tire-changing lesson falls flat in the mountains
Tuesday, August 16
Students and parents in vehicles crammed with boxes, bedding, beanbag chairs, lamps, fans, computers, and assorted electronic gadgets begin arriving on campus today. It is move-in day for students living in the residence halls. Parents are as excited as the students, hauling multiple loads from their vehicles to their new home for the next year. With all the activity, it’s a good day to ride to work.
With three weeks to go until the Buffalo Bicycle Classic, I decide to ride my Bianchi road bike. It’s always a drag when you’re set to go and discover a flat. I decide to take the cruiser instead and deal with the flat later.
I left a note for my husband, Joe, to call the bike mechanic and have the tire fixed (which means I’m asking him to fix it). Later, he tells me his plan is to teach me how to change a flat. I need to be able to handle a flat tire if I’m out riding somewhere, lest I end up stranded, he intones. I hardly think a person with a cell phone and a credit card who stays close to civilization will be stranded.
I’m annoyed by all this, as I think he should just fix it. I have that attitude as we commence our tire-changing exercise that evening. I got some satisfaction when Joe had to take over with getting the tire off the rim. He struggled, as the tire was stuck on the rim—as if it were glued on. He said he never had a tire like this before. He had to use three of those plastic tools tire tools, one of which snapped off during the process.
While I watch him struggle with this, it’s pretty clear that there is no way I could do this myself by the side of the road, wallowing in the dirt and brush, beaten down by the hot sun and the beleaguered by the noise of traffic. I grow more annoyed that I have to “learn” how to change a flat tire. After we get the new tube on, pump it up, and put it back together, I see that I’m covered in grease—legs, arms and all over my hands. Joe doesn’t have a speck on him.
I admit that when someone guides you through every step, changing a tire isn’t that hard—provided you have the strength to wrestle those tires and tubes on and off the rim. However, my plan is to have the bike shop fix my flats if my bike-mechanic husband is either unavailable or unwilling.
Sunday, August 21
We went to Breckenridge with another couple this weekend to ride bikes in the cool, mountain air. The goal was to ride from Breckenridge to Vail Pass on the bike path. My girlfriend was recovering from a bad cold and declined to ride. My husband and his friend are comparable riders, so the plan was that I would start with them, but they would go at their own pace. We parted less than a mile into the ride.
Six miles into my ride, by back tire blows. I have an extra tube and those little plastic tire tools, but I’m not even going to try to change that tire. I have visions of pulling the whole thing apart and not being able to put it back together. I’m only six miles out, so the best alternative seems to simply walk it back to Breck and hang out with my convalescing girlfriend.
As I walk back, a couple of bikers ask if I need help. I decline. About a half-mile into my walk, a biker guy riding in the opposite direction stops and asks if I need help. I tell him no, that I’m heading back and everything is OK. He asks me how far I have to walk, and I tell him five or six miles. He dismounts his bike as he declares that six miles is simply too far and he couldn’t in good conscience leave me to walk my bike. In a flash, he’s flipped the bike over, taken off the back wheel and pulled out the tube. The tube I had replaced the day before during my tire-changing lesson was pinched near the valve. (Thanks, Joe.) He pulled out his own tube and began pumping the tire when his friend caught up with him and stopped to help. His friend pulled out a CO2 cartridge, filling the tire in seconds.
I pressed some cash into his hand, but he refused it. He said taking money would mess up his karma—that this was about helping a fellow biker in need. I insisted he take the money and buy a beer for himself and his friend as a thank you.
There was no longer any reason I couldn’t finish my ride, so I picked up where I left off, heading to Frisco, thinking about the good will and kindness offered by a stranger. I wasn’t planning to ride up Vail pass, as that’s beyond my stamina level, so I decided to shoot for Copper. Around Officer’s Gulch, I was really dragging and knew I’d better save enough energy to get home. Fortunately, there was a supported ride happening that day, Circle the Summit http://www.circlethesummit.com/ , and I happened upon an aid station. The volunteers at the aid station were very nice, letting me fill my water bottle and enjoy a few orange slices. At that point, I had ridden 15 miles and was pretty tired. It made me appreciate the Buffalo Bicycle Classic and the placement of aid stations every seven miles or so. Not only do they have plenty of food and drink, they also have volunteers who can fix a flat.
I chatted with the other bikers for about 20 minutes, giving myself time to recover. Considering how tired I was, I decided I better head back to Breckenridge. My total ride was 30 miles, and I was beat.
The next morning as we were loading the bikes on top the car for the drive back to Boulder, my husband pointed out to me that my brake was dragging. I was dumb struck at how hard it was to turn the pedals to move the back wheel. No wonder yesterday’s ride was so hard! It wasn’t that I’m that out of shape or that old. The brakes were stuck. I decided my 30-mile ride was the equivalent of 60 miles at least. Maybe even 100.
Thursday, August 25
I attended the Buffalo Bicycle Classic recognition event at the Julien Hotel. I salute all our sponsors, donors and volunteers as the BBC, now in its ninth year, would not happen otherwise. I learned that 75 percent of registered riders from last year’s event, which was cancelled due to the Four Mile Canyon fire, opted not to request a refund. You’ll be able to recognize those riders on ride day because their bib will have a gold medal sticker on an upper corner.
Elevations Credit Union announced that it has committed to a 10-year sponsorship of the BBC. Most companies will commit to a sponsorship for two or three years at most. A 10-year commitment is unique and special because it says a lot about the importance of what the BBC does—raises money for student scholarships.
With the BBC surely around until at least 2021, maybe I might start toying with idea of training for a century ride. Especially since I might have just done one.
Sunday August 28
The Pro Cycling Tour has been happening in Colorado this week. It’s an awesome event, evidenced by all the fans who have attended various stages during the week. We have a lot of enthusiastic bikers in this state. I enjoyed watching the highlights of the race on television in high definition as the scenery is amazing, and I recognize many of the roads that I have traveled myself—Vail Pass, Independence Pass, Swan Mountain Road.
With two weeks to go until the BBC, I checked out my legs to see if they look as fit as those pro bikers’. I’m not even close, but I definitely have more definition from when I started my training this past spring. I didn’t have a dramatic weight loss as I’d hoped, but the tummy pooch is much less. All in all, I’m feeling confident about riding 50 miles.
Along with paying attention to my hydration and nutrition these next two weeks, I’m going to concentrate on my flexibility and core strength by routinely doing my yoga exercises. When I’m on the bike, I want to be able to easily turn around and see what’s behind me without straining something. I’ve also learned that yoga is a huge benefit with minimizing neck and shoulder strain on a long ride.
On ride day, September 11, I’m looking forward to seeing all the teams and my friends who are both riders and volunteers. The volunteers are great! Along with getting the ride organized and set up, they also provide endless encouragement throughout the entire ride—especially that last climb up Folsom Street where you are greeted with cowbells, cheers, and acknowledgment that you’ve accomplished something significant. After the ride is over, and I’ve secured my bike in the valet parking area, I love joining up with the other bikers under the tent for pasta dinner and hearing stories about their rides. The smiles are big. So is the sense of satisfaction.
I encourage you to ride and experience it yourself.
The Elevations Buffalo Bicycle Classic, which raises funds for scholarships, includes ride distances of 14, 35, 50, 70 and 100 miles. To learn more about the Sept. 11 event or to register, click here.
August 2011
Students and parents in vehicles crammed with boxes, bedding, beanbag chairs, lamps, fans, computers, and assorted electronic gadgets begin arriving on campus today. It is move-in day for students living in the residence halls. Parents are as excited as the students, hauling multiple loads from their vehicles to their new home for the next year. With all the activity, it’s a good day to ride to work.
With three weeks to go until the Buffalo Bicycle Classic, I decide to ride my Bianchi road bike. It’s always a drag when you’re set to go and discover a flat. I decide to take the cruiser instead and deal with the flat later.
I left a note for my husband, Joe, to call the bike mechanic and have the tire fixed (which means I’m asking him to fix it). Later, he tells me his plan is to teach me how to change a flat. I need to be able to handle a flat tire if I’m out riding somewhere, lest I end up stranded, he intones. I hardly think a person with a cell phone and a credit card who stays close to civilization will be stranded.
I’m annoyed by all this, as I think he should just fix it. I have that attitude as we commence our tire-changing exercise that evening. I got some satisfaction when Joe had to take over with getting the tire off the rim. He struggled, as the tire was stuck on the rim—as if it were glued on. He said he never had a tire like this before. He had to use three of those plastic tools tire tools, one of which snapped off during the process.
While I watch him struggle with this, it’s pretty clear that there is no way I could do this myself by the side of the road, wallowing in the dirt and brush, beaten down by the hot sun and the beleaguered by the noise of traffic. I grow more annoyed that I have to “learn” how to change a flat tire. After we get the new tube on, pump it up, and put it back together, I see that I’m covered in grease—legs, arms and all over my hands. Joe doesn’t have a speck on him.
I admit that when someone guides you through every step, changing a tire isn’t that hard—provided you have the strength to wrestle those tires and tubes on and off the rim. However, my plan is to have the bike shop fix my flats if my bike-mechanic husband is either unavailable or unwilling.
Sunday, August 21
We went to Breckenridge with another couple this weekend to ride bikes in the cool, mountain air. The goal was to ride from Breckenridge to Vail Pass on the bike path. My girlfriend was recovering from a bad cold and declined to ride. My husband and his friend are comparable riders, so the plan was that I would start with them, but they would go at their own pace. We parted less than a mile into the ride.
Six miles into my ride, by back tire blows. I have an extra tube and those little plastic tire tools, but I’m not even going to try to change that tire. I have visions of pulling the whole thing apart and not being able to put it back together. I’m only six miles out, so the best alternative seems to simply walk it back to Breck and hang out with my convalescing girlfriend.
As I walk back, a couple of bikers ask if I need help. I decline. About a half-mile into my walk, a biker guy riding in the opposite direction stops and asks if I need help. I tell him no, that I’m heading back and everything is OK. He asks me how far I have to walk, and I tell him five or six miles. He dismounts his bike as he declares that six miles is simply too far and he couldn’t in good conscience leave me to walk my bike. In a flash, he’s flipped the bike over, taken off the back wheel and pulled out the tube. The tube I had replaced the day before during my tire-changing lesson was pinched near the valve. (Thanks, Joe.) He pulled out his own tube and began pumping the tire when his friend caught up with him and stopped to help. His friend pulled out a CO2 cartridge, filling the tire in seconds.
I pressed some cash into his hand, but he refused it. He said taking money would mess up his karma—that this was about helping a fellow biker in need. I insisted he take the money and buy a beer for himself and his friend as a thank you.
There was no longer any reason I couldn’t finish my ride, so I picked up where I left off, heading to Frisco, thinking about the good will and kindness offered by a stranger. I wasn’t planning to ride up Vail pass, as that’s beyond my stamina level, so I decided to shoot for Copper. Around Officer’s Gulch, I was really dragging and knew I’d better save enough energy to get home. Fortunately, there was a supported ride happening that day, Circle the Summit http://www.circlethesummit.com/ , and I happened upon an aid station. The volunteers at the aid station were very nice, letting me fill my water bottle and enjoy a few orange slices. At that point, I had ridden 15 miles and was pretty tired. It made me appreciate the Buffalo Bicycle Classic and the placement of aid stations every seven miles or so. Not only do they have plenty of food and drink, they also have volunteers who can fix a flat.
I chatted with the other bikers for about 20 minutes, giving myself time to recover. Considering how tired I was, I decided I better head back to Breckenridge. My total ride was 30 miles, and I was beat.
The next morning as we were loading the bikes on top the car for the drive back to Boulder, my husband pointed out to me that my brake was dragging. I was dumb struck at how hard it was to turn the pedals to move the back wheel. No wonder yesterday’s ride was so hard! It wasn’t that I’m that out of shape or that old. The brakes were stuck. I decided my 30-mile ride was the equivalent of 60 miles at least. Maybe even 100.
Thursday, August 25
I attended the Buffalo Bicycle Classic recognition event at the Julien Hotel. I salute all our sponsors, donors and volunteers as the BBC, now in its ninth year, would not happen otherwise. I learned that 75 percent of registered riders from last year’s event, which was cancelled due to the Four Mile Canyon fire, opted not to request a refund. You’ll be able to recognize those riders on ride day because their bib will have a gold medal sticker on an upper corner.
Elevations Credit Union announced that it has committed to a 10-year sponsorship of the BBC. Most companies will commit to a sponsorship for two or three years at most. A 10-year commitment is unique and special because it says a lot about the importance of what the BBC does—raises money for student scholarships.
With the BBC surely around until at least 2021, maybe I might start toying with idea of training for a century ride. Especially since I might have just done one.
Sunday August 28
The Pro Cycling Tour has been happening in Colorado this week. It’s an awesome event, evidenced by all the fans who have attended various stages during the week. We have a lot of enthusiastic bikers in this state. I enjoyed watching the highlights of the race on television in high definition as the scenery is amazing, and I recognize many of the roads that I have traveled myself—Vail Pass, Independence Pass, Swan Mountain Road.
With two weeks to go until the BBC, I checked out my legs to see if they look as fit as those pro bikers’. I’m not even close, but I definitely have more definition from when I started my training this past spring. I didn’t have a dramatic weight loss as I’d hoped, but the tummy pooch is much less. All in all, I’m feeling confident about riding 50 miles.
Along with paying attention to my hydration and nutrition these next two weeks, I’m going to concentrate on my flexibility and core strength by routinely doing my yoga exercises. When I’m on the bike, I want to be able to easily turn around and see what’s behind me without straining something. I’ve also learned that yoga is a huge benefit with minimizing neck and shoulder strain on a long ride.
On ride day, September 11, I’m looking forward to seeing all the teams and my friends who are both riders and volunteers. The volunteers are great! Along with getting the ride organized and set up, they also provide endless encouragement throughout the entire ride—especially that last climb up Folsom Street where you are greeted with cowbells, cheers, and acknowledgment that you’ve accomplished something significant. After the ride is over, and I’ve secured my bike in the valet parking area, I love joining up with the other bikers under the tent for pasta dinner and hearing stories about their rides. The smiles are big. So is the sense of satisfaction.
I encourage you to ride and experience it yourself.
The Elevations Buffalo Bicycle Classic, which raises funds for scholarships, includes ride distances of 14, 35, 50, 70 and 100 miles. To learn more about the Sept. 11 event or to register, click here.
August 2011