Flat Tire and Rainbows

So after that great swimming experience it was time for a 20 mile bike ride. Similar to the swim, we were to ride to a certain halfway point and then meet up before heading back. The route was mostly a common one I take from my house so I was familiar.

Several us got to the halfway point which is a bar on a small lake and we waited for a bit. Then we decided to head out and as soon as I started I ended up with a flat rear tire.

So now this kinda a big deal, but if you are going to get a flat, probably best to do it on a group ride with tons of people with you to help and right next to a bar when you can just go in and call your wife and have a drink while you wait if you decide not to fix it.

So I carry a spare tube, CO2 inflaters and tire levers to do the job, but I have never actually changed a bike tire before. I had watched some youtube videos so I was familiar with the premise of how it worked, but I had not actually done it. I also carry a $20 bill in case I need to buy beer while I wait for a ride home.

It was funny that several people that were with me said they had never changed a bike tire before. So it turns out that I wasn't alone and I was going to be doing a demonstration for the group.

I managed to get the old tube out and the new tube in. Getting the tire back on was a bit of a chore but I managed that too. Then I had to figure out how the CO2 cartridges worked (really well is the answer), and finally I was ready to get back on the road. It took 15 minutes for me to change my tire.

A quick ride back to the car with a couple of sprinkles of rain along the way and my evening of successful firsts (open water swimming and tire changing) was complete. As I got in my car and drove away, A double rainbow appeared to the east. I thought it was a fitting end to my evening.