Pacific Northwest - Jesus, rock on the road...

Riding into work this morning heading down the Woodinville-Duvall Road between 156th Ave NE and 132nd Ave NE (just before the light where Woodinville-Duvall goes left and heads down into Woodinville). It was dark, raining and there was a ton of glare from the cars coming behnd me.

Riding down the shoulder at about 25MPH when I ran over a big rock - WHAM! Immediately blew out my front tire. Changed the tube, inspected the tire for damage (I could find none), rode to work, parked my bike in my office, took a shower and got to work.

About 11:00am, I hear BANG! PSSSSSSSSTTTTT! My front tube let go. I pulled the tire off to examine the tube when I realize that the rock I hit put a dent into the sidewall of my rim on one side. Damn! It looks like when I remounted the tire in the dark, the bead where the rim was dented was not completely seated allowing the tube to peek out and blow. I am lucky that I made it to the office (16 miles from where the tire blew) without having to change it again.

I was able to change the tube and get the tire bead to completely seat. Pumped up the tire and rode home without problems tonite. Amazingly enough, the rim is still true.

I need to check the rim for cracks, and will probably take it down to Woodinville Cycle tomorrow and have them take a look at it. I think I will need to replace the rim.

It's that time of year where it's getting hard to see in the darkness, wet and glare, even with lights on. Be careful out there!

So where was Jesus?

So where was Jesus?

It was in the outline in the patch he used. There are now candlelight vigils around alot of the LBS in the Seattle-area.

Jesus Innertubus!

Ofercryinoutloud :):):)

Bent rim? Were's that hammer?

There are few problems in life that can't be fixed with percussive maintenance. And those that can't usually respond well to the judicious application of explosives.

bumper

Bent rim? Were's that hammer?

There are few problems in life that can't be fixed with percussive maintenance. And those that can't usually respond well to the judicious application of explosives.

bumper

I'm likin your philosophy

Bent rim? Were's that hammer?

There are few problems in life that can't be fixed with percussive maintenance. And those that can't usually respond well to the judicious application of explosives.

bumper

Hammer? I thought that's what the Jesus Rock was for: Application of Divine Impact. One whack and it's fixed.

Hey woodway, I know that hill pretty well since I often come from 212th (up past Mink Rd.) to my lab which is just past the light at 175th. Along with the big rocks, watch out for the 6" round utility cap which is missing! Just as you round the corner to the straightaway section of W'ville-Duvall there's that divider/barrier in the center of the roadway. Right around there is a spot where you'll want to swing left to avoid the storm drain, but there's a hole in the road from a missing utility cap which could easily ruin a wheel at high speed.

Thanks for the heads-up Clifton. I've not hit that one yet and will keep an eye out for it.

I went and looked for the rock that evening when I rode home. I was about 3" around (and I could swear it had an image of Jesus on it :roflmao2:) and I hucked it into the woods.

After examining my rim at length, I've decided that the dent is not bad enough to cause any problems. The bead of the tire is seating, which was my main concern, and I have a couple of work rides under my belt and everything seems fine. I need to keep an eye on the rim to see if any cracks develop. I'm still impressed that the wheel took a shot hard enough to dent the rim, but remained true. Nice work by the wheel builder!

So where was Jesus?

behind a bush...laughing