Bill, you're a tribute to the boy scout motto.

What kind of tire was it that blew like that? Any idea why?

I'm riding on Continental Top Touring tires that have a reputation for premature sidewall failures. They also come with recommended max pressures that are 10-15psi lower than the same size tires from other manufactuers. It's been speculated that the TT failures are a result of chronic underinflation, but I've never seen anything but anecdotal support for this. But I nevertheless keep mine pumped to 95 instead of the 80 stamped on the tires. 3500 miles on them, no cracks or other problems in the sidewalls, no flats.

RichC