Road Cycling - Threw in the towel for my ride today

Or maybe named "God is trying to tell me something". ;)

I left out this morning with a plan to do a long-ish ride. I also had to pick up my sister-in-law's birthday cake about 5 miles from home on the return trip.

I finished my first 31 miles feeling pretty good. I ran into a guy on the street and we talked for a couple of blocks, and that was fun.

Then somewhere into the 37th mile of the 55 miles I had planned, I felt my back wheel wobbling- immediately, I thought my ride would be over. Until then, I was doing so well- I had to pick up the cake at 8am, and at the rate I was going, I'd be able to pick up the cake at 7:45am and still make it home before 9am. But when I got the first flat, I wasn't feeling hopeful. Still, I jumped off my bike, and using the new lever I bought, I got the tire off in record time (compared to before, when I was having trouble getting my Conti 1000 tires off and changed within an hour). I quickly located the small puncture and repaired the damage with my patch kit. I got the tire back on, used the pump to pump the tire as much as I could, then pulled out my CO2 cannister- empty! Shoot, but I had another cannister on me and I reloaded the gun and blew up my tire the rest of the way- perfect! I was so excited- it only took about 10 minutes to get all that squared away. Still, once I got everything squared away, I still saw that my brakes were right against the rim, so I turn the bike upside down again, take out the skewer and readjust the tire, and this time, when I turned the bike back up and squared away the brakes, the pads were fine. All said and done, I'd only lost 15 minutes, which was no big deal.

So I'm riding along, and 4 miles later, I feel the back wheel go wobbly again. "What the f@*k??!!" I said to myself again, as I pulled over. This time, I'd reached the beginning of the Skokie Sculpture bike path, and I got to a park bench and inspected the damage- the rear wheel was flat again. :( I couldn't believe it! I wasn't sure if the patch I did was bad or if there was another puncture. I knew they were doing construction on the streets, but I couldn't believe it was this bad! I decided to not go the full 55 today, since I had a lot I had to do, and I was getting short on time. So instead of rushing, I decided to take my time and really figure out what was going on. So I take my new lever out again and pull the wheel off- no problems with that. This time, I pulled out a cloth and cleaned the inside of the tire thoroughly, just in case there was something inside the wheel that I hadn't gotten out before (I was sloppy- should have done this when my rear wheel went flat on Sunday!). Then I took my pump and blew up my tube, but I couldn't see any holes. Still, I had an old patched tire that I kept- my second spare (used my first one on Sunday when I changed my flat from my Saturday ride), which I blew up and tested- no holes, air held perfectly! I was beginning to think there was hope. So I put my spare in the tire, wrestle the tire back in, put away my patch kit and my defective tube, and begin pumping up my tire. This time, however, it wouldn't pump. I pumped for about 5 minutes, thinking I was just not pumping hard enough, then pulled the pump off. Lo and behold, the tip end of the tube broke off in the pump so air wasn't getting in at all! :eek: F*#k! I was getting mad. But still, I calmed down and pulled out the other inner tube and my patch kit and decided to get proactive. So I blew up that tube, and this time, I found the source of the puncture- just millimeters from the other puncture! So I put the glue on it and while it was drying, I pulled out my new lever again. I peeled the tire off the rim, pulled out the inner tube, and by that time, the glue dried on the other inner tube, so I patched that one. Then I tested the tube- checking to make sure there weren't anymore holes, and this time, there wasn't. So I get the repaired tube in the tire, then wrestle the tire back onto the rim, which was no problem, except my thumbs were killing me from pushing that tire back onto the rims! Inspected the tire all the way around to make sure I wouldn't have a pinched tube, then kneaded the tire all the way around to make sure it was sitting on the rim properly. Then I pulled out the pump and pumped it as much as possible, then got out my CO2 pump and tried to inflate it because my hands got tired, but guess what? I'd wasted most of the CO2 pump with the first flat, so I had almost nothing left. Crap, crap crap. So I had to pull out my hand pump and pump over and over, but I got about 80 psi in there, I think. While doing that, I accidentally activated my shrieking alarm I have in case someone tries to grab me, so I had stop and turn that stupid thing off. Then got the wheel back on the tire, turned the bike right side up, and inspected the brakes- rubbing a little, so turned the bike upside down again, pulled out the skewer, adjusted the wheel, put the skewer back in, readjusted the brakes, and everything worked!

To add more misery, by this time, my bladder was totally full, and I knew I wouldn't make it to the bakery, so Koffee had to squat in the bushes in a public path just a few yards from a major street that had squirrels living in the tree and listen to them rustling next to my butt! Uuugh, I hate squirrels! I knew God was telling me something when I suddenly decided to take along that roll of toliet paper this morning!

I took off, and immediately, I felt that the bead was not seated on the rim right, so it felt like I was bumping- like a whup, whup whup feeling, but I didn't care. I got to the bakery (had called them to tell them I'd be late) and got my cake and stuck it in my bag. Then I whupped, whupped, whupped all the way home. I felt like I was limping. Then I kept checking my tire to make sure it wasn't flat again. I just got this feeling that another flat would happen at any second, and at that point, I was going to use my emergency stash to get a cab. But I made it home, locked up my bike, and got upstairs and washed up. I was filthy, my ride got cut short, I got home over an hour late, but lemmie tell you, I still thought overall, it was a good day. All I need to do now is get to my brother's for this birthday!

*sigh*

So many flats, so little time....

Koffee

My wife was a gymnast for 16 years. She recalls something she heard Shannon Miller say during a bad workout. It was along the lines of 'at least I'm in the gym' (paraphrased). Some of my best rides have been the days when everything that could go wrong did but I was still on the bike.

Better luck next time!

Ive had those rides. I had three flats in a row once. Two punctures, and a patch that didnt hold. I was an hour late getting back. My wife thought I had been hit by a car or something. :D

My very first bike flat occured on the first major ride I did, the BRAG. On the way to drop me off, my mother-in-law asked me what happens when I get a flat tire. I told her I had all the tools to change it and repair the tube, but I'd been riding for over two years and that I don't have flats. Eight miles into the ride on the first day, I flat. And that's when I found out that my tool kit was in my suitcase, on the semi, being taken to the next camping area.

First flat tire I was 5 miles from home. No tools, no pump, no cell phone. Long walk home PO'd. Fast forward to this weekend. Same area, flat tire. Have tools, NO pump (smart eh?), have cell phone this time. Call for ride home.

Figure by now I will have learned my lesson, although maybe not. Planning on riding tonite, but still haven't picked up a pump. Dumb dumb dumb....

how did you carry a cake on your bike? wouldn't it get smushed?

Originally posted by Koffee Brown
I took off, and immediately, I felt that the bead was not seated on the rim right, so it felt like I was bumping- like a whup, whup whup feeling, but I didn't care. I got to the bakery (had called them to tell them I'd be late) and got my cake and stuck it in my bag. Then I whupped, whupped, whupped all the way home. I felt like I was limping. Then I kept checking my tire to make sure it wasn't flat again. I just got this feeling that another flat would happen at any second, and at that point, I was going to use my emergency stash to get a cab.

strange how the mind plays tricks on you... It always seems that after I change a flat a few miles down the road I think it's going flat again (but it normally holds the air just like it should) I guess I'm just paranoid.... :p

as a side note I only carry a super small bag on my bike filled with 1 tube and 1 co2, so if I get more than one flat I'm toast.... but if I lived in chicago I could certainally carry more stuff as those are some vicious roads :rolleyes:


Originally posted by Phatman
how did you carry a cake on your bike? wouldn't it get smushed?

it's likely that she has some sort of pannier bags. On my commuter bike I can bungie cord down almost anything to my pannier racks and bags..,.. the largest item I have carried to date was a 18 inch floor fan, but I sure did get some strange looks when I was riding with it :D

anyhow at least you got some riding in Koffee, you could have had 3 flats in the first mile ;)

A bad day riding is better than a good day not riding.

But some of those days - like my three flat/two crash day - are rather frustrating! Having been in the Navy for 22 years, I have a very full vocabulary of curse words in several different languages and dialects, so I was able to vent fully!

Flats suck.

:)

I had a huge messenger bag, so I carried the cake in my bag. It was slightly pushed off to the side, but it was so little that no one even noticed. And that cake was mmmm mmmmm good- just got back from a day of celebrating with the sister-in-law.

I was just glad I carried extra tubes and that patch kit AND that CO2 pump. I actually carry a little of everything, but when everything seems to go wrong anyway, it's like I'm walking around saying "why bother to even prepare?".

I absolutely hated peeing in public- I could handle anything thrown in my path except having to take my pants down and squat in a bunch of trees while cars drive by in the near distance. I kept thinking, "well if a squirrel gets in my butt and I go to the emergency room, how will I explain this one away?" :lol: I could see myself categorized with the sexually deviants! ;)

I kept thinking of Lotek's story he had a while back- similar to mine, and when I remembered that, I just packed in my towel and called it a day, just like he did. It probably kept me from blowing up completely!

Koffee

Originally posted by Koffee Brown


I absolutely hated peeing in public- I could handle anything thrown in my path except having to take my pants down and squat in a bunch of trees while cars drive by in the near distance. I kept thinking, "well if a squirrel gets in my butt and I go to the emergency room, how will I explain this one away?" :lol: I could see myself categorized with the sexually deviants! ;)
Koffee


OMG Koffee I about peed myself reading this I was laughing so hard!:D I am sorry..... I am glad that things worked out for you!

OMG the Visual:D :) ;) never mind I am off to sleep

A few months back I copped three flats in the space of a kilometre on a ride of around 165km. All it actually did was make me more determined to finish the damn thing! As far as peeing in public is concerned, there's nothing wrong with that at all. Give me a decent sized gum tree anytime! It surely must be more hygenic than any of the public toilets around here.

Hey Koffee-
You should get flats on the LFP (I know you said before you do not care for it). I stop for people when I ride it in the AM and PM. I have noticed that few others do. I even carry spare tubes...just bring some messenger bag cake for me.
I'm the guy with the inner tube wrapped around his top tube and stickers on the down tube...AND A COFFEE CUP TATTOO ON HIS LEG:

Hey 165, thanks for thinking of me!

I had everything I needed, it's just that it seemed like everything was going wrong that day! Yeah, I can't stand the path, but I still ride it, provided that I can finish my ride on the path before 6:45AM. After that time, it seems like there's too many people on the path!

Yesterday, I was on the path, but it was early in the morning, and I had no problems there. It was once I left the path where I think I got the punctures from the construction of the roads they're working on (they're really trying to get a lot of roads in decent condition before winter hits).

I really think the path is the best place to get a flat- so many people stop and ask if you're ok, or if you need help, that sometimes I feel like there's no need to even bring tools! Still, as early as I ride, there are rarely any people on the path, so I bring all my own stuff for all emergencies. More often, I find that I'm stopping to help other people, as I tend to have a lot of stuff on me, and I always stop and ask if someone needs help. However, I will start looking for you. Maybe we can ride the lakefront together, looking for folks in need. You can pull out a park tool stand from your bag, and I'll provide the tool kits!

;)

Koffee

I feel like I've been auditioning for "The Omen" part 2.

Saturday morning, I found a guy lying prone, unconscious and unmoving while out riding at 4:45AM. He looked pretty bad off, so I called 911 and got the ambulance there- that freaked me out.

Saturday night, I came across nails on the street while riding, and I was going to fast to avoid them, but when I didn't get the flat, I figured I was ok.

Sunday morning, I went out for my ride- I got the flat, and boy was I frustrated for assuming I wouldn't get the flat!

Monday, I was off riding.

Tuesday, I had the two flats I told you about, peed in the bushes with squirrels nearby, and a very long morning and long day in general.

Wednesday (today), I got hit by a flatbed truck on the way to my indoor cycling class that I teach. This one was crazy- the truck turned at the stop sign onto the street where I was headed southbound. It was my turn at the intersection, so I started going. The truck was going slow and had just cleared the intersection, and I attempted to veer to the left of the truck when all of a sudden, it started backing up! When the guy did this, he hit me. I started screaming, and he stopped and pulled up and drove off. I was just freaked- I really thought he may have hit my bike. Funny enough, my first thoughts were that I didn't want my bike damaged, so as the truck was backing into me, I was throwing my body against the truck and pushing my bike backwards. When I think about it, that was not smart. Anyway, some intern from the hospital was outside having a smoke, and as he attempted to check my leg for the scratches, I kept insisting to everyone that I was fine, and please check my bike. After adjusting the chain, which had slipped, we tested the bike, it was fine (whew), and by this time, the driver came running up apologizing, and I told him no problems, just please let people know when he's backing up after he's turned and cleared an intersection! Then rode off because I didn't want to be late for class.

I am not feeling too keen to get back on my bike today. I decided after class, I would skip my ride and just take my bike back home and thoroughly check it for any damage. Luckily, I don't see any damage. If there is stress to the frame, we'll see in the coming weeks. I'm going to get back on the bike tomorrow and see if I can have a calmer ride.... :-/

It's like The Omen- when everyone finds out Damien is the antichrist, and the animals are attacking the car at the zoo, and people are getting decapitated, and there's all kinds of catastrophes happening and there's nothing you can do to stop it... sheesh, I had someone checking my hair for the 666 symbols when I got to class.

*whew* No sign of symbols imbedded at the base of my skull! ;)

This is turning into an eventful week!

Koff

i was driving along mccormick ave when i saw this woman squatting in the bush...and a squirrel sizing her up.....that was you?

Uh-oh... that was me.

Hope you had my back(side) when it came to that squirrel! ;)

Were you the guy I found on the path too? ;)

i've been busy lately but will call you soon. maybe even get down there for a nice training ride!!!

p.s. i thought you were posing for a new sculture (or fountain)

pulled out the skewer, adjusted the wheel, put the skewer back in,

Do you really "pull" the skewer? And not just open the quick release? If so, why?

I always take the skewer off the wheel so I can pull the wheel off the bike.

I must be missing something. Just flipping open the quick release lever lets you take the wheel off, right?

Do you have a special setup? :confused:

No, for the rear wheel, you have to take the skewer off, or you can't get the wheel off the bike. I don't know why that's the setup, but it's more than just a quick release. It only takes a couple of more seconds... no biggie...

For the front wheel, definitely. I just need to flip open the quick release lever, but the back wheel requires that I take off the skewer.

Koffee

Sometimes, esp with racks and stuff, the nut side (not the lever side) of the skewer has trouble getting between bolts holding the rack on and the big bearing/spring/bolt that holds on the rear derailleur.

Usually some coaxing and such can do it and then sometimes it is just easier to remove the nut from the skewer. I've seen this problem...

How about another shouldn't be that is... A friend of mine has a Specialized road frame that requires you put the rear tire on WITHOUT AIR. If you try to do so with a pumped up tire then there is a bottom small bit of tubing between the chain stays that prevents you to get the axle into the dropouts. Let the air out and presto it just drops in... Wouldn't believe it until I tried and sure enough... Wierd eh?

I hope your hard ride has faded enough in your memory to fully enjoy this. It made me laugh up a lung when I first saw it. :)

http://www.timepasstown.com/text.php?nodeid=134

cAPS

Pretty funny, cAPS! So what's next, if you walk, then you suddenly trip over a rock and break your foot? ;)

:lol:

Koffee