Since last Sunday was strictly a one-way affair (I didn't want to ride back in the dark), and today's weather was every bit as spectacular as Mothers' Day, I decided I would reprise the Northborough ride, but start earlier and do my usual loop back up through Hudson/Stow/Boxboro. Today's ride went pretty much like clockwork on the way to Northborough, and I stopped by to say "good morning" to my in-laws, then headed in the general direction of Marlborough and Hudson to start my return segment -- with the express intent of lunching and re-balancing my electrolytes at the Horseshoe Pub in Hudson. Here's a map of today's ride on Google maps.
When I got to Maple Street in Marlborough, I noticed my bike was handling a little "swimmy" -- sure indicator of a tire quietly going flat. I stopped in the shade to check it out and sure enough: rear tire was flat as a pancake. Not to worry, I always carry tubes, CO2 and a pump. So, I quickly changed the tube and got back on my way, by now looking forward even more to a well-done burger an a pint of Rogue Dead Guy Ale... About 2 miles later, I was off the main roads and onto the Assabet Rail Trail -- a very nice bike trail by the way -- and once again noticed that "swimmy" sensation. I pulled over and sure enough, my rear tire had gone flat AGAIN. Now this time, things are not so great. I always carry 2 tubes with me, but today I was riding my "commuter" bike, which has a 26" rear wheel and a 20" front wheel. I only carry one of each size tube with me, so I had no more un-punctured tubes. To make matters worse, I also carry a patch kit (as my last resort), but I never keep it on my "commuter" -- I only carry it on my "fair weather, long ride bike" , which I was notably NOT on today.
Hoping I could make it to Hudson and the Horseshoe Pub, I vainly dumped my last cartridge of CO2 into the tire and got going again, riding as fast as I could. It was no use. I was completely flat by the time I got to 290/85. So, I had to use my one last "tool of last resort" -- my cell phone. I called home and managed to convince my lovely bride that she should get out of the house today! "...didn't you want pick up a few things at Wal-Mart ? Why don't you just come on down to the Wal-Mart in Hudson? Great! Oh, by the way could you please throw the bike rack in the back of the car before you leave ? And maybe swing by the Vocational School to pick me up?" So once again Sandy, my long-suffering wife, came to my rescue in Hudson and we ended up picking up a few things at Wal-Mart. (Some of you may recall that Sandy drove all the way out to Sturbridge a couple of years back to rescue me from another "busted ride". See my "Fiasco Semi-century" story for a full re-telling of that crap-fest.)
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| Waiting for my rescue. Not happy. |
I missed my appointment at the Horseshoe Pub, but there will be other rides in the near future, I am certain.
After we got home, I went to repair the tire yet again. This time, however, I was much more careful in inspecting the tire and wheel for what might've caused 2 separate flats. After just a few minutes careful inspection I found the culprit: what appeared to be part of a staple had poked straight into the thick part of the the tire tread and was just barely sticking out through the inside of the tire. I didn't see or feel it when I swept the tire the 1st time it went flat -- probably because I was in a hurry to get to the Horseshoe Pub. When I put in the new tube, the staple probably punctured that one as soon as I put any weight on the tire. Lesson learned: Take your time changing your tire and take the time to locate the exact cause of your flat before you put your last good tube in.
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| This is the staple that ended my ride. |
I do have to say that on balance, it was still a great day:
- I did end up getting in a nice 40-mile ride
- I got some shopping done with Sandy
- I re-learned a lesson on changing flats and ended up getting both bikes tuned up by the end of the day.
So endeth the lesson. ;-)
