Three Flats and a Boneshaker

We’ve all had days on the bike where everything came together magnificently; weather, route, body, bike all conspire to produce a ride we won’t soon forget.  Then there are those days where we feel something or someone is determined to thwart our desire to pedal.  This week I suffered the latter.  Or did I?

My plan was to ride north from Salida through Buena Vista to Leadville and back.  About 60miles each way with a gain of about 3100 feet to Leadville.  Rolling out 45 minutes later than intended, the day was getting warm and I was feeling good.

As I neared Buena Vista [pronounced BEW-na Vista, not BWAY-na Vista and nicked named BEW-nie] I noticed my rear tire getting low. Although I do carry a spare for just such an occasion, I didn’t want to get stuck between BV and Leadville without one.  Fortunately, I knew there was a bike shop in town.  By the time I rolled into Boneshaker Cycles, my rear tire was flat.

Devin, the mechanic who met me at the door, was happy to fix the flat while I chatted with Rachel.  She welcomed me to the area and told me of a fast-paced Tuesday night road-ride that meets at Amicas restaurant in Salida, a big supporter of local cycling and racing.  Her husband Glen would often be there.  [Turns-out the culprit of my flat was a small strand of wire, likely from a truck’s steel-belted tire.]

Thanking them both, I was back on the bike, continuing north.   A few miles later, however, I was at the side of the road fixing another flat rear tire.  Although I couldn’t find any debris in the tire or tube, the hole was at the same spot as the previous one.  Though I had it fixed soon enough, I was now concerned about heading north to Leadville with no tube for 30 miles.  I turned around and returned to Boneshaker.  Devin, confused as to how I flatted again at the same spot, took pity on me and gave me a replacement tube, no charge.  He also gave me the shop’s phone number, asking that I let him know if I have any further problems.  He even offered to collect me if I did!  Hoping I wouldn’t need his chauffeur service, I was back on the bike.

By now I was well behind schedule and feeling a little uncertain about the prospects for today’s ride.  Playing it safe, I decided to head back to Salida where I would regroup and possibly head-out for another loop.  Less than 5 miles south of BV, my rear tire was again flat.  THREE flats in one ride!

I pulled over, crossed to the other side of the road, sat under the shade of a tree and sighed.  “Now what?”  Clearly there was something sinister happening with my rear wheel.  It concerned me that if I changed out the tube, leaving me with no spare, I may still flat again.  That would be both a waste of time and waste of money, as well as being just plain annoying.  So, I did what any other cyclist in the 21st Century would do; I took out my phone and made the call; “Uh, hi baby, would you come pick me up?”

Once at home, I thoroughly inspected the tire for debris and found another little piece of wire covered in tar.  Not wanting to take a chance that there was any more imbedded in the tire that I couldn’t find, I decided to replace both the tube and tire.

By now it was early afternoon and it was clear; my ride was over.

Though initially I was rather disappointed by this act of sabotage, it wasn’t a total waste.  After all, I met the very friendly and helpful folks at Boneshaker Cycles.  And since I didn’t feel wasted after riding nearly 200kms, I was in fine shape to help welcome dear friends Mike and Crystal from Texas to Salida.

All in all, a pretty good day.  Guess we never really know what is good or bad.  Life simply is.  And sometimes,  you just get multiple flats.  That’s cycling.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/328349696

Boneshaker Cycles in Buena Vista, thank you thank you!

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