Pumping up tires

[ridenread]

OK I feel a bit silly with this question but maybe some one can help me.
I pump up my tires before every ride. I have never had a problem before today. I opened the valves (presta) , released a bit of air to be sure they were open, and attached the floor pump the same way that I do it every single time. Today the air would not go in the tire. It was very difficult to pump and I could hear air leaking out. I tried reattaching the pump to the valve, checking to make sure the valve was indeed open and pumping about ten times without success with both the front and rear tires. Finally after about 15 minutes, and much cursing, I got it to work and pumped the tires up. I could not figure out what the problem was and why it finally worked. Any ideas?
Thanks

[Pedal Wench]

It sounds like you didn't have the pump fully seated on the valve. I also let out a little bit of air to make sure there isn't as much back pressure. I have no idea if that helps, but it's a habit now.

[salsabike]

I had an exciting self-created flat some weeks ago. It was because I didn't shove the pump all the way onto the valve--so make sure you push it FIRMLY PAST the point where it lets air out, and it will then lock on and let you pump air IN.

[Becky]

Sometimes the valve doesn't "crack" when you seat the pump head. All it takes is a gentle wiggle of the valve head. You'll sometimes even hear it crack or pop.

For reasons I can't explain, this happens more to me with the rear wheel of all my bikes than the front wheel

[beccaB]

Speaking of pumping tires, what are some good recommendations for a pump? The one we had went with the kid to college. My husband is an OCD/retentive mechanic. He cussed at that pump more times than I can count. So, I need to replace it with a GOOD one!

[ny biker]

This has been happening to me a lot lately. I find that I need to let enough air out for the psi to drop to about 60, and then the pump will work.

However I think it might be a stem problem because I recently put in a new tube for the rear tire and now that one is working better.