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03-02-07, 05:18 PM
Like many of us I've been suffering from cabin fever. Today was Sunny and 56 degrees, the best day so far this year, I had to hit the road. I did figure I'd be wading through a few flooded roads with the melting snow and 1 1/2 inch of rain last night, and so I was. Went thru the usual walk around the house to gather my things. Hat, new gloves, mp3 player, sun glasses, get water bottle from refrigerator, then hesitated when I was about to pickup tube, changing bars and pump. I hadn't a flat in 3 years, and had no way to mount pump on new bike, so figure it's a great day, will no doubt have no need, so left pump and stuff behind. I suppose I could end right here, you know what happened.
I had hoped to get in at least 20 miles, didn't mind the slow downs at all the water running across the road. The 15 mph wind didn't bother me as it was a warm wind. But at the 9 1/2 mile mark I felt some roughness from rear of bike. Road didn't look that bad?? Rode onto next turn on a smooth road, just paved last year. Still rough, but only at one spot on wheel. Got off brushed away stones, nothing bad, back on and ride again, no change, I'm thinking wheel bearings just went bad. Stopped at bridge across the local Manatawny Creek, which was swollen to 3 times it's size from the earlier rain. No cows in the creek today. Anyway while adjusting seat I finally put some weight on bike and noticed rear tyre was flat. As it turned out I was 5 miles from my car. No spares, no cell phone. I really didn't want to walk, so I mostly rode back to car at 5 to 7 mph on a flat tyre. I didn't understand the strange thump I was getting as I rode on the flat. I don't know if it's normal, but my tube appeared to have stretched and folded over itself, creating a lump under the tyre. Tube seems of normal size now that it's removed. But I found 2 leaks rather quickly, probably more, so it is trash in my book. Tyre seems ok, but it probably isn't with rim riding directly on sidewall. Anyway I have a surplus of used tyres, so it's also trash. Another warm day tomorrow, so besides mounting another tyre and tube, I will mount the pump from other bike. I apparently force my luck and lost. :(
I had hoped to get in at least 20 miles, didn't mind the slow downs at all the water running across the road. The 15 mph wind didn't bother me as it was a warm wind. But at the 9 1/2 mile mark I felt some roughness from rear of bike. Road didn't look that bad?? Rode onto next turn on a smooth road, just paved last year. Still rough, but only at one spot on wheel. Got off brushed away stones, nothing bad, back on and ride again, no change, I'm thinking wheel bearings just went bad. Stopped at bridge across the local Manatawny Creek, which was swollen to 3 times it's size from the earlier rain. No cows in the creek today. Anyway while adjusting seat I finally put some weight on bike and noticed rear tyre was flat. As it turned out I was 5 miles from my car. No spares, no cell phone. I really didn't want to walk, so I mostly rode back to car at 5 to 7 mph on a flat tyre. I didn't understand the strange thump I was getting as I rode on the flat. I don't know if it's normal, but my tube appeared to have stretched and folded over itself, creating a lump under the tyre. Tube seems of normal size now that it's removed. But I found 2 leaks rather quickly, probably more, so it is trash in my book. Tyre seems ok, but it probably isn't with rim riding directly on sidewall. Anyway I have a surplus of used tyres, so it's also trash. Another warm day tomorrow, so besides mounting another tyre and tube, I will mount the pump from other bike. I apparently force my luck and lost. :(