Friday, May 30, 2008

What are the odds?

After fixing my flat yesterday, I went for a nice ride last night to get some exercise. It was a fun 15 mile route that runs along the canal, railroad track, and power lines nearby.


My bike is geared for climbing and I've been lookinging into either regearing it, or setting up a new set of wheels for the more flat riding that I am doing now. While researching how to build a wheel, I stumble across various articles; one of them was about chain maintenance. Since I can't remember the last time I cleaned my chain, I went out to do so.


WHAT THE F***? My front tire was flat again. Now that the kids are in bed, I went out to see what was going on with my front tire. Did I put the tube in wrong? Did I pinch it? Is it a bad tube? I took the tube out and found that it had been punctured. I decide to check the tire for something that may be there and popping my tube. I laid the tube next to the tire with the stem next to the hole in the rim and investigated. Ahaa! There it was. A decent sized thorn. (see picture)


As I mentioned in my earlier post. There are different hazards out here than in San Diego. I think I just found what they've been telling me. I guess I'm glad the tube hung in there for 15 miles before giving up.


What did I learn? If/when I flat again, check the tube, find the problem and clear any crap that may be stuck in the tire.


No comments: