So I’m trying to bike to work more… Hopefully much much more…
So yesterday I’m all dressed for riding, got my clothes packed, laptop arranged… Grab my bike - flat tire!
Only one spare tube, so I skip riding and stop on my way home for more tubes. I go to fix the flat and discover my tire treads have a hole right through them (rock, or something stuck in it). That’s fine, they’re old (original on the bike) so its probably time for new tires anyways.
So this morning I have new tires and new tubes. I’m all set and ready to bike to work! Nothing seems wrong - I hopped on and got pedaling…
Four miles in, I notice a regular scraping sound. Look down and my tire is bumping against the brake pad. I gently stop and get off the bike… The tire had gotten loose from the rim! Great - I need to deflate the tube and reset the tire…
Barely touch the tire to take a look and - HISSSSSSSSS… now the tire is seated just fine, but the tube is empty (and punctured!)…
Luckily I had a spare, but my little pump is pretty worthless (as I discovered!). Had to walk over a half mile (in bike cleats!) back to The Depot, which thankfully is bike-friendly and has several tire pumps on hand…
Did I not notice myself cutting off a bicyclist, that my bike karma is that bad?!