This is a little embarrassing. I've been taking 20 minutes to pump up my tires any time I want to ride.

The problem is the air seems to be getting stuck in the pump tube. I've devised a way to stand on one leg and use the other leg to find the perfect angle to allow air to flow into my tires while my upper body pumps. It is quite the show. It doesn't matter which bike, I have to do this dance for both.

This morning, I'm going through my routine getting ready to ride to work because it is a beautiful day, the back tire pumps up so easily (still on one foot with the other foot in the air angling the head of the pump) and I'm done in minutes. YAY! Front tire... not so much. I finally gave up after 15 minutes of not getting anywhere and now a visibly bent valve. *Sigh* So we know that valve is bent. I moved it back with my hand but I don't know if that is good enough.

Is it me?!?!?! Am I just completely inept? Is there a way I can check for a problem with my pump? It blows air normally if it isn't attached to a valve. Have I somehow managed to bend all my valves and don't know it?! I feel like a complete idiot and I'm frustrated that for the last eight or nine months this pump has been causing me grief. I guess this morning was the last straw. (And darn it!! I really wanted to ride to work!)