I've owned my bike for about 1.5 years. I have avoided learning how to change a tire like the plague. My strategy has been, "If I get a flat, I'll just call a friend." or "If I get a flat, I'll just run home (barefoot?)"
The idea of changing the inner tube of a tire just seemed like this impossible feat - and a skill I am not interested in learning.
It all kind of relates to my disdain for the sport of "road biking". In order to go road biking, my routine is:
If I want to swim: suit on, swim cap, goggles, drive to pool.
But last week, I found a staple in my back tire, and faced reality that "changing a tire" would need to be added to my resume of skills.
I live with a very handy husband, who would be willing to change my tire. However, he was not his helpful, usual self in this situation. He told me, "You need to learn how to do this. I'm not doing it for you." #toughlove
I whimpered a little, making brazen statements such as, "But I'm too pretty change my own tire." or "Lance doesn't have to change his own tires!"
Needless to say 45 minutes I was covered in grease, I had 3 broken nails, but I had a fixed tire!!
Let me just tell you, the French man in my you-tube video must have paused the video and cut out all the grunting, nail-breaking, sweat, and tears. He made it look effortless! And he even kept saying "See? It's simple!"
It was not simple. No passe'. Pulling off the chain from the tire, removing that outer tube....it all sucks. But now I know if this were to happen in a race - I wouldn't be utterly screwed!
Or maybe I really am just too pretty to change a tire.
The idea of changing the inner tube of a tire just seemed like this impossible feat - and a skill I am not interested in learning.
It all kind of relates to my disdain for the sport of "road biking". In order to go road biking, my routine is:
- check tires
- air up tires to 90 psi
- get my helmet out
- get my cycling shoes out (which you can only wear cycling - they have funny clips on the bottoms)
- make sure my "bike bag" is all set with the appropriate tools, tubes, drivers license (in case I get hit by a car and end up in the trauma center & need to be identified.....Just kidding, Mom!)
- Then I have to load it onto my bike rack.
- Make sure it's bungee corded down.
- Drive it to a meeting spot, unload, cycling shoes on......
- Blah!
If I want to swim: suit on, swim cap, goggles, drive to pool.
But last week, I found a staple in my back tire, and faced reality that "changing a tire" would need to be added to my resume of skills.
I live with a very handy husband, who would be willing to change my tire. However, he was not his helpful, usual self in this situation. He told me, "You need to learn how to do this. I'm not doing it for you." #toughlove
I whimpered a little, making brazen statements such as, "But I'm too pretty change my own tire." or "Lance doesn't have to change his own tires!"
Needless to say 45 minutes I was covered in grease, I had 3 broken nails, but I had a fixed tire!!
Let me just tell you, the French man in my you-tube video must have paused the video and cut out all the grunting, nail-breaking, sweat, and tears. He made it look effortless! And he even kept saying "See? It's simple!"
It was not simple. No passe'. Pulling off the chain from the tire, removing that outer tube....it all sucks. But now I know if this were to happen in a race - I wouldn't be utterly screwed!
Or maybe I really am just too pretty to change a tire.
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