Lise vs. Tire: Lise Wins!

10 minutes from start to finish. Not hard at all. Well, compared with Monday night. Incredible. What was different?

1. I now understand the shape of the tire and the wheel. Now that I can picture the bead, I can work with it. I went around and pushed it away from the rim on both sides before attempting to lift it. That must be what John meant by "break the bead".

2. Tube ENTIRELY emptied of air before starting. That wasn't hard, since the danged valve was useless.

3. Park Tool Blue Levers. Much, much better. John just handed me three of them. I think I love him.

4. Knowing that I'd done it before, and I could do it again.

Thanks for all your help, ladies. Take home lesson? Don't ride without the valves covered. Always attach and detach the pump carefully, straight back.

Fortunately I have to put the chain back on in the basement, where I can't reach over to the computer and whine, "I caaaan't do it!" L.