I learned about cycling from that... (long post)

Now that the days are getting longer (and slightly warmer) I've been itching
to get out on my road bike. Today was it! A little windy, but warm (68) and
clear. As usual, I was in a hurry, trying to cram a short ride into a busy
afternoon.

Normally my pre-ride bike inspection is rather cursory (are the wheels on?
OK, let's go), but today I set a record. Somehow I noticed both tires were
low on air and pumped them up. I also noticed the rear wheel did not spin
easily, so I fiddled with the brake positioning. This seemed to help, and I
thought no more of it. Stretching quickly, I threw my leg over the top tube,
clipped (rather awkwardly) into my pedals, and rode off.

I have a seat pack, which usually holds my tools, but did not bother to
check it before leaving (mistake). I also left my wallet and identification,
keys and cell phone at home (bigger mistake). After all, it was just going
to be a half-hour ride around my neighborhood, and I couldn't possibly need
that stuff.

It wasn't long before I was into the groove and decided to make a "slight
detour" out of my neighborhood. I was cycling into heavier traffic the
further I rode, eventually turning onto a five-lane major thoroughfare.

I confidently took my place in the right lane, demonstrating correct
vehicular riding. I stopped at several traffic lights. Trying to be a good
(and thoughtful) vehicle operator, I was accelerating quickly from the
lights.

About halfway through my ride I was stopped again. When the light turned
green I really stood on the right pedal. About halfway through the
powerstroke I heard a distinct "ping!" and my rear wheel became somewhat
mushy. Crap! I'd broken a spoke! (At least I hoped it was only a spoke.)

Pulling over to the sidewalk, I quickly found the loose spoke. No problem, I
thought. I'll just get out my trusty spoke wrench and true the wheel enough
to ride home. I had done this some years ago (on the same bike) while riding
in the countryside. Piece of cake, right?

Opening the seat pack, I discovered - DOH! - NO TOOLS! Double crap! I was
not totally without luck, however, as there was a LBS within half-a-mile
further along the five-lane.

However, time was becoming of the essence. In half an hour I was scheduled
to pick up my daughter at a birthday party. At this point I wavered between
riding (er, limping) home, hoping the wheel would hold up, or riding on to
the LBS for help.

I decided to try the LBS.

Fearing the worst from my rear wheel, I rode (s-l-o-w-l-y) on the sidewalk
instead of the busy street. I met a couple of pedestrians. They ignored me
(probably because so many idiots in this town cycle on the sidewalks, yours
truly included as of today).

As I neared the LBS, I had another revelation -- I had no money to pay for a
repair! I had no change to make a phone call! Mulling it over, I decided to
beg for loan of a spoke wrench and do the job myself (which, I told myself,
I could have done quite handily with my missing spoke wrench).

Parking my bike near the front door, I entered the LBS. Every employee was
engaged with a customer! There was a nice woman about my age trying out some
clipless pedals on a bike mounted to a stationary trainer. (It was
apparently her first attempt).

Another (younger) man and his wife were discussing whether they should
replace the wheels on a bike he was selling. Another older guy had brought
in his department store "suspension" bike for a repair quote (and wanted
some info on upgrading his components!) Time was really running out, but I
decided to wait.

When my turn came, one of the mechanics asked what I needed. I hastily
explained my problem and asked to borrow a spoke wrench. He suggested I
bring in the bike and he could replace the spoke and true the wheel. Then I
had to explain why I had no money to pay him for the job.

He offered to remove the spoke and true the wheel so that I could safely
ride home - no charge. I was very relieved, to say the least!

After a few comical moments of watching me remove the rear wheel, he took it
to the shop area. I watched (standing in the showroom holding my one-wheeled
wonder by the saddle) as he removed the spoke and quickly (within a minute)
trued the wheel.

Another comical interlude ensued as I mounted the rear wheel. I asked about
the cost of a tune-up, promising to return for one within the week. After
thanking him profusely, I quickly cycled away and rode at a fairly fast clip
home, at least until I hit a manhole cover, jarring my frame pump loose.

I braked as it clattered along the gutter, got off the bike and trotted back
to retrieve the pump, leaving the bike on the roadside. Back on the bike, I
shifted into a higher gear and surged onward. I made it home with about five
minutes to spare.

The moral of the story? Don't leave home without stuff you really might
need, or hastily check your bike before departing, even for a "short" ride.
Short rides can turn into detours on beautiful days, and detours can easily
become misadventures!

And don't underestimate the generosity of fellow cyclists!

Horatio

On Sun, 22 Feb 2004 01:34:47 GMT, "beas"
wrote:


And don't underestimate the generosity of fellow cyclists!

Horatio


There are more things on heaven and earth than are dreamt up in your
philosophy, Horatio. (OK, I couldn't resist!)

I had a *total* blowout once, about three miles from home, with no
change, no phone, no tools. Two-inch cut in the casing, trashed tube.
I walked the bike the three miles home.

I was a half-mile from home when a red VW with a road bike on a roof
rack pulled over. He got out, rummaged about the car, and offered me
a spare tube. I was touched--but I politely refused it, saying that I
was nearly home anyway, and a spare tube was no good with my casing
ruptured as it was.

Solidarity forever!

-Luigi

"We must never adopt an arrogant attitude of great-power chauvinism
and become conceited because of the victory of our revolution and
certain achievements in our construction. Every nation, big or small,
has its strong and weak points."
-Mao Tse-Tung

www.livejournal.com/users/ouij
Photos, Rants, Raves