Montgomery County MD

**Jen** · 02-10-2006, 04:07 AM

Any riders in Montgomery county? Any groups that ride that would accept a newbie? Yikes! I'ver never changed a flat, Well, maybe once about 20 years ago.

**Selkie** · 02-10-2006, 01:49 PM

Hi Jen - I'm in Arlington County (Va). You should check out Potomac Pedalers. I belong but haven't been on one of their rides yet---they offer a lot of different group rides (vary by skill level, distance, terrain, etc). I think the website is www.pptc.org or .com.

**tulip** · 02-11-2006, 09:38 AM

Learn to change a flat, or you will be sorry. Potomac Pedalers is the big groups around here, but there are others. Check at a few bike shops. Do you ride your bike to work? That's a great way to get in some miles in the time you would otherwise be crammed into a Metro or cursing the traffic in your car.

**Jen** · 02-13-2006, 04:39 AM

I belong to ppc also. Haven't been on a ride yet. Need to become more comfortable and sure of myself on the bike first. Come on Spring. And yes, I should practice fixing a flat. I have a pump an and co2 cartridges and packed directions in my saddle bag. I should take off the wheel and try myself.

**Jen** · 02-21-2006, 03:39 AM

I am mainly worried about getting a flat on the back wheel. Is it tricky to remove the back wheel, taking the chain off and all?

**tulip** · 02-21-2006, 07:53 AM

Originally Posted by Jen

I am mainly worried about getting a flat on the back wheel. Is it tricky to remove the back wheel, taking the chain off and all?

The key is to practice. When I got my driver's license, my father would not let me drive by myself until I had driven 1,000 miles with him AND had successfully completed changing each tire on the car.

The same should be required for everyone who rides a bike. Practice changing a tube until you are comfortable doing it. Winter is a great time to practice.

You do not take the chain off. The chain stays on the bike, but does come off of the cassette.

Check local bike shops for basic maintenance and repair classes. I have access to a bike repair stand and can give you a few lessons if you would like sometime. Just send me a PM.

**Jen** · 02-22-2006, 04:57 AM

I'll give it a try. Soo, for the back wheel, you lift the lever to open the brake pads then release the quick release lever, take the chain off the back cassette and remove the wheel. Then, in my case for practice, remove the air from the tire and slip in a tire iron to start removing the tire, hook it to the spoke??? then remove the tire from the front of the rim by hand till you can get the tube out. Replace with new tube, put back on rim, inflate ( now or later) and put it back on the bike, hook up the chain to the cassette and go. Sounds easy, but can I do it? Not sure how to use the co2 cartridges.

**tulip** · 02-22-2006, 10:47 AM

Originally Posted by Jen

I'll give it a try. Soo, for the back wheel, you lift the lever to open the brake pads then release the quick release lever, take the chain off the back cassette and remove the wheel. Then, in my case for practice, remove the air from the tire and slip in a tire iron to start removing the tire, hook it to the spoke??? then remove the tire from the front of the rim by hand till you can get the tube out. Replace with new tube, put back on rim, inflate ( now or later) and put it back on the bike, hook up the chain to the cassette and go. Sounds easy, but can I do it? Not sure how to use the co2 cartridges.

You are almost there! To get the chain off the cassette, push the derailleur pulley forward toward the front of the bike and fiddle the chain off the cassette while pulling the wheel backwards. Confused now? It's a whole lot easier on a bike stand, but you can turn the bike upside down.

For the tire iron part, hook one tire iron like you described opposite the valve, and hook a second one a few spokes away. With the third iron, remove the tire from one side of the rim. Then you can take the tube off but the tire stays on the rim (one side).

I am not a fan of C02 cartriges. Always carry a small pump as a backup because no matter how well you know how to change a tire, if your CO2 cartridge fails, you won't be able to pump up your tire like a balloon.

Make sure your wheel is centered when you put it back on. Practice with someone around who can help if you need it at first. Your hands will get dirty.

**MomOnBike** · 02-23-2006, 07:33 AM

If you're at all like me, you might want to practice the back-wheel removal-flat fixing process at home with nobody around to criticise - or worse, take over when you stop to figure out the next move.

In other words, practice at home, it's easier on the ego - and faster on the road.

**Jen** · 03-01-2006, 04:11 AM

Potomac Peddlers club has a ride at Lewes Beach in May, weekend ride. Looks like so much fun. I want to try to learn how to ride this bike better so that I am totally comfortable on it by May. Don't think I should ride with a group till I feel solid on the bike. Think that is enough time? I really want to go. Don't know a soul so I will really have to push myslef to do this.

**Selkie** · 03-01-2006, 01:33 PM

Jen - Lewes is very nice. Check out Cape Henlopen when you are there. I would like to do that ride but won't be able to make it. Sounds like it will be the perfect thing---very low key. You can also take the ferry from Lewes to Cape May, NJ.

**withm** · 03-01-2006, 04:40 PM

Jen

There is beautiful riding in Lewes - go ! You will love it. I live just a few miles down the road from there, and ride there sometimes. My bike club has on its calendar that Potomac Pedalers are coming to town that weekend and I think we are joining them for something - not exactly sure just yet. Let me know if you decide to do the ride.

Martha
A former Montgomery Countian (lived in Gaithersburg for 20 yrs.)

**bikerz** · 03-01-2006, 04:52 PM

(Sorry - OT!)

This thread keeps catching my eye - I lived in Rockville from when I was 8 to 16 - I get such a hit of recogniton everytime I see the title!

**Jen** · 03-02-2006, 03:38 AM

Hey there former Montgomery Countians!! Good to hear from you. Do miss it? The Lewes ride sounds awesome. Since it is for entire weekend, I should be able to meet some nice Biking people. The terrain is flat, easy ride but fun. I am going to make myself go. I have no friends that bike and spin like I do. Guess I'll have to go alone and make some new friends.

**dingster1** · 06-27-2006, 04:44 AM

Hello

I'm getting back into cycling after a few years. Deciding between a comfort and a MTB at the moment to commute to work and class and hit a few trails here and there. Not a hard cyclist.....yet may get there eventually

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