Gary put the climbing gears (12-27) on the road bike for this weekend’s mountain ride so I figured I’d take it for an easy spin to make sure everything was kosher. About three pedal strokes into the ride I got my answer and it sounded like this— pssssssst! My front tire had gone flat. I didn’t think I’d run over any sharp objects other than the gravel in the driveway, but I inspect the tire and see a little gash had gone all the way through. I didn’t need just a new tube, I needed a new tire.
Fortunately, Gary was nearby doing yardwork, and being three pedal strokes away from the driveway meant that I hadn’t gone anywhere yet. So off he went to the shed to fetch a new tire. G comes back with tire in hand pulling on it warning, this hasn’t been stretched out yet carrying the silent message “this is going to be a beeyatch to get on the rim.”
Now, I could take the girlie way out and have my man fix everything up while I watch, but I figure things happen for a reason and now is as good a time as it will get to practice a tube & tire change. Weather’s nice, I’m in no hurry to get in a specific workout, and here I am with a punctured tube and sliced tire with replacements handy. I take the wheel and tire and get to work.
I put the bead into place on the rim, am reminded to blow a little air into the tube, which I do, and recall how I’d seen the process done before. Step by step. Totally relaxed– no stress, no rush. So I finish up and it’s ready for air in less than five minutes, at which point Gary remarks, “well, you made that look easy.” Ha! I feel a sense of flourish and victory quickly succumbed by “oh crap, I made that look too easy.”
Yes, ladies, I realize the error of my ways. There is a sort of power in refusing to be self-sufficient when men are around to fix things for us, and I have diminished that power. The next time I try and look helpless with a flat tire and replacement tube in my hand, I will be reminded of this event and the fact that I’m not helpless, which I knew all along, but now there can be no doubt. Heck.
Had a nice, little ride though, thanks for asking.
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