Last weekend I had my first flat on my new bike. It had been many years...20 at least... since I'd changed a flat. I had kept saying that I needed to practice before I got one, but of course I hadn't gotten around to it yet. I had my cell phone and had prewarned my husband that he'd have to come get me if I broke down. I was 12 miles from our cottage and he had just gotten his boat to a favorite fishing spot when he got my call.

I got a nice lesson the next morning from my daughter's LBS mechanic boyfriend (in exchange for help on his college math assignment....he definitely got the bad end of that deal). I took notes and he had me practice each step a few times. I was glad it was on the rear so I know how to mess with the derailler as well. Next rainy Sunday I think I'll go over it all some more so I'm confident I can do it by myself when I need to.