Changed my first *&^)_&&^%$ tire

[OakLeaf]

Oh goodness, it's putting the chain on the smallest cog to take tension off the chain/derailleur springs, and have the derailleur closest to the dropout.

No wonder you're having trouble!

Try it that way next time...

[Crankin]

No, I just wrote it wrong.... I know which cog to put it on.
I am trying everything I can to avoid working on my part of a group therapy simulation I have to do for a class, so my mind is kind of jumbled. In fact, I think I am going on a group ride and will do my work afterwards!

[OakLeaf]

Hmmmmm...

Learning to trust people you might not ordinarily interact with.

Mutually allowing each other into a position to do each other serious harm, trusting that they won't.

Learning to set appropriate boundaries, getting very close to get the "job" done, but not so close that you get interlinked and bring the whole group down.

Letting other see you at your worst.

Is that group therapy, or a paceline?

[Biciclista]

My consolation is that my commute is 4 miles and I've already walked it a half dozen times this year; so if I do get a flat, I can push the bike up the hill and get to my nice warm house to attempt to fix a flat (or wait for DH to get home!)
ps if i didn't have DH, I'd go to the LBS for flats, probably!

[Crankin]

Very funny, Oakleaf. My co-leader and I are doing a simulated group for teenagers (14-15) of deployed parents in the military. We have developed a good activity, developmentally appropriate, based on research, blah, blah, blah. I have to write up the rationale, which is the biggest part, and I have some good sources. It's just sitting down to do it. Of course, who knows how the people playing our clients will react. I just have to remember to make my process comments. It's not for another month. Oy, I sound like a therapist and it sounds weird.
I went on the group ride and kept saying to myself, "I can leave at any time," since the ride was never more than 7 miles from the start (although it was a 35 mile, fairly hilly ride). I did not go to the lunch, though, as it was at the local bagel place, 3 miles from my house. I rode home and led a few others back.
OK, now I have to work. After I shower, etc.
And I will practice the tire changing again.

[MartianDestiny]

Sorry you had a bad first time! Sounds like most of your trouble was with the quick release axle. A few (hopefully helpful) hints on that front: 1) you don't need to unscrew the nut and take the axle out of the wheel. Pop your quick release open (yes, it's not fun) unscrew 2-3 turns and pull your wheel straight out. This allows you to leave the axle in the wheel and not worry about the little nut or spring going flying (and is why it's called a quick release). 2) when you put it back on don't tighten it all the way and then try to flip the lever closed, the lever is designed to take the last bit of tension (hence why there are springs, etc. in this contraption). This takes some feel because you don't want it too loose, but if you can't close your lever with the meaty part of your hand back the screw out 1/2 a turn or so until you can.

[tulip]

Crankin, try turning your bike upside down to replace the rear wheel.