Reply With Quote
I'm so sorry you had trouble. Will you be able to get a replacement tire there so you can still ride? How long do you plan to be in Mobile? One of my co-workers has a son-in-law there who rides. I hear it's got some great options.
Welcome guest, is this your first visit? Click the "Create Account" button now to join.
Results 1 to 15 of 16
-
08-08-2009, 04:20 AM #1
f/k/a Mr. S.
- Join Date
- Dec 2006
- Location
- Blessed to be all over the place!
- Posts
- 3,433
The mist unusual flat at the Redneck Riviera!
To disable ads, please log-in.
So, we're at Silver's family reunion on Mobile Bay in LA - "Lower Alabama".
I decide to geta quick 25 miler in before the fast approaching sunset...which is always beautiful over Mobile Bay.
I'm 1 mile short of finishing and hammering along at 23mph and my rear wheel locks up and I'm skidding for about 50+ feet before I can stop.
My saddle pack disconnected from its clips and wedged itself between the spokes and the rear wheel frame.
So, I'm 600 miles from home, 1 mile from my completion, the sun just set, the mosquitos are swarming, and I HAVE A TWO INCH HOLE WORN IN MY TIRE FROM THE SKID! Heck NO, I will not call Silver to come get me.
Using a trick that a friend taught me, I quickly line the tire with a $5 bill from my pack, changed and reinflated the tube, and made it back just before total darkness!
But now, in addition to a ruined $80 tire, I also have a $5 bill ruined by the road friction! Why didn't I grab a $1 bill instead??
If you don't grow where you're planted, you'll never BLOOM - Will Rogers
-
08-08-2009, 05:17 AM #2
Cindy
- Join Date
- Sep 2006
- Location
- MS
- Posts
- 220
-
08-08-2009, 05:50 AM #3
Registered User
- Join Date
- Oct 2004
- Location
- Arlington, VA
- Posts
- 1,993
Looking on the bright side, you didn't crash and you were clever enough to figure out a way to patch it. And you got to see the sunset.
I have no shame about those things and would call my husband to come fetch me.
Luna Eclipse//Terry B'fly
Luna Orbit//Sella Italia Ldy Gel Flow
Bianchi Eros Donna//Terry Falcon
Seven Alaris//Jett 143
Terry Isis (Titanium)//Terry B'fly
-
08-08-2009, 05:59 AM #4
Registered User
- Join Date
- Apr 2004
- Location
- Southeast MI/Northern IN
- Posts
- 143
I had a similar thing happen when the toolkit (the Topeak one that straps to the frame) became wedged between the seatpost and rear wheel. Why I thought it was a good idea to strap the toolkit to the seatpost I will never know! My friend was riding behind me and I provided the entertainment for that day! She said smoke was billowing from the rear and I was doing all sorts of gyrations to keep from going down. I didn't go down and to this day I'm not sure how I saved it. At least you didn't use a 20$! I usually only carry a 20$ so I should learn something from your experience. I do carry Park tire boots however (along with scissors as you and Silver know
). Glad you survived and trust me you will enjoy recounting the story many times. We laugh hilariously at my lockup! Having lived along the Gulf coast I can envision those mosquitos feasting!
Susan
Try not. Do or do not... there is no try.
Yoda
2004 Airborne WASP (road)/Selle An-Atomica
2010 Bike Friday New World Tourist (commuter)/Selle An-Atomica
2010 Bike Friday Pocket Rocket Pro/Selle An-Atomica
-
08-08-2009, 08:38 AM #5
gravel grindess
- Join Date
- Jul 2007
- Location
- foothills of the Ozarks aka Tornado Alley
- Posts
- 4,193
Well we ARE in a recession.
Originally Posted by Mr. Silver
...I also have a $5 bill ruined by the road friction! Why didn't I grab a $1 bill instead??
Looks like your Boy Scout training came in handy.
-
08-08-2009, 02:47 PM #6
I heart my bike
- Join Date
- Apr 2006
- Location
- where the wind comes sweeping down the plain
- Posts
- 5,251
I've always heard you could do that, so I keep money in my pack (and an empty gu packet). Now that I know it works, I'll use the gu packet and not ruin my money.
It made me laugh that you seem more upset that you grabbed a $5 bill instead of the 1 than with having to deal with the whole incident. hee hee
Check out my running blog: www.turtlepacing.blogspot.com
Cervelo P2C (tri bike)
Bianchi Eros (commuter/touring road bike)
1983 Motobecane mixte (commuter/errand bike)
Cannondale F5 mountain bike
-
08-08-2009, 04:05 PM #7
f/k/a Mr. S.
- Join Date
- Dec 2006
- Location
- Blessed to be all over the place!
- Posts
- 3,433
The Pictures
Here are the pics of the tire.
The "white" thing you see in the gash is actually the $5 bill:
This is the $5 bill with three holes worn in it from the 1 mile trek back:
If you don't grow where you're planted, you'll never BLOOM - Will Rogers
-
08-08-2009, 04:14 PM #8
Meow!
- Join Date
- Sep 2006
- Location
- Central Indiana
- Posts
- 6,034
You are the McGyver of cycling, Mr. S! I'm sure glad you didn't crash and got home safely!
Live with intention. Walk to the edge. Listen hard. Practice wellness. Play with abandon. Laugh. Choose with no regret. Continue to learn. Appreciate your friends. Do what you love. Live as if this is all there is.
--Mary Anne Radmacher
-
08-08-2009, 05:00 PM #9
Ride Your Bike!
- Join Date
- Mar 2008
- Location
- Atlanta, GA
- Posts
- 714
Very, very clever!!! You know what they say, necessity is the mother of invention!!
----------------------------------------------------
"I never made "Who's Who"- but sure as hell I made "What's That??..."
-
08-08-2009, 07:26 PM #10
Ooo, talk tri to me!
- Join Date
- Jul 2006
- Location
- Olney, MD
- Posts
- 3,063
Your bike handling skill must be really good. I'm just amazed that your tire was still ridable!
The $5 is definitely still spendable.I'd rather be swimming...biking...running...and eating cheesecake...
--===--
2008 Cervelo P2C Tri bike
2011 Trek Madone 5.5/Cobb V-Flow Max
2007 Jamis Coda/Terry Liberator
2011 Trek Mamba 29er
-
08-08-2009, 07:29 PM #11
In-app purchases
- Join Date
- Sep 2007
- Location
- Uncanny Valley
- Posts
- 14,498
I would need a blood transfusion if I had to wait more than five minutes among southern mosquitoes. Originally Posted by mickchick
I have no shame about those things and would call my husband to come fetch me.
The reason Mr. S. was riding along at 23 mph is because at 22, the mosquitoes will chase you down and kill you.
Good job, Mr. S.Speed comes from what you put behind you. - Judi Ketteler
-
08-09-2009, 07:42 PM #12
f/k/a Mr. S.
- Join Date
- Dec 2006
- Location
- Blessed to be all over the place!
- Posts
- 3,433
That's the truth! And they were Tiger Mosquitos! Originally Posted by OakLeaf
If you don't grow where you're planted, you'll never BLOOM - Will Rogers
-
08-10-2009, 04:32 AM #13
Registered User
- Join Date
- Jun 2006
- Location
- Texas
- Posts
- 56
Good job, Mr. Silver!
PS--I hate those tiger mosquitoes. They torment me.
-
08-10-2009, 05:58 AM #14
Homegrown
- Join Date
- May 2006
- Location
- Suburban MA and Western ME
- Posts
- 1,815
If you're frugal (like me), and don't want to use acutal money to boot your tire, carry a small amount of duck tape in your seatbag, rolled tight. It doesn't take much room, makes a great boot, and saves your $$ for other things.
Glad you kept it upright!
SheFly"Well behaved women rarely make history." including me!
http://twoadventures.blogspot.com
-
08-10-2009, 07:29 AM #15
Registered User
- Join Date
- Jul 2007
- Location
- Rhode Island
- Posts
- 1,365
You know this very same thing (without the flat part) happened to me - TWICE on my mountain bike. That seat bag just does NOT want to stay on. It's at best dangerous and at least annoying. I'm glad you didn't go down!
I can do five more miles.
