Tire Boot on Bear Creek

Another warm yet dry afternoon here in Colorado Rockies.  Decided to do the same Bear Creek loop that I enjoyed with friends recently.  Riding alone I was able to cut out some time.  Too bad time wasn’t the only thing to get cut today.  A sharp rock cut the side-wall of my new rear tire as I was descending.  Soon enough, it was nearly flat.  Stopping to pump it, I prayed it would hold.  A mile or so later, it was flat again.  No problem, I’ll just throw a tube in that tubeless tire along with a boot to ensure the tube doesn’t protrude.

Oh, wait, no tire boot!  Remember I lost the contents of my seat-bag a couple days ago?  Ya, well, I was able to get most things from Absolute replaced yesterday but they were out of boots.  Figures!  Good thing I had one of those power-gel things.  Emptying its contents into my gullet, I installed the home-made boot and tube and continued on my merry way.  Sweet!

Completing the ride, I felt the need to eat; it happens.  Riding home after gorging at Moonlight Pizza, that rear tire sprung a leak that would not hold. Pshh, pshh, pshh, pshh with every rotation.  Guess that gel packet would only last so long; the tube had blown out at the same tear in the side-wall.  So much for that fix, a new tire it is.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/333762103

Make-shift tire boot for that side-wall slice
The view from the first pit-stop

Top of Race Track.
Mmmmm food!