Stupid flat!
I flatted today. That was the first time that’s happened in a couple years I think. I’ve been very lucky. Today I was just stupid. I ran over a pretty rock; clipped it with my front tire and immediately heard the whooshing of my tire going flat. To make matters worse (or at least more interesting), the flat actually happened at about the farthest point on the ride from where I started. For those of you in LA or who know the PCH, I started at Ocean and San Vicente in Santa Monica and my plan was to ride out to Big Rock, turn around, ride up Latigo, down Kanan Dume and head back – about 90 miles. My turn around at Big Rock was the farthest I would be from my car, about 35 miles. And that’s exactly where it happened. Well, to be honest, it was about 100 yards before where I was turning around. Nonetheless. Anyway, long story short, it worked out fine. I changed the tube and finished my ride as planned. BUT, there is one more detail to share. This stuff:
totally saved my ass. Vittoria Pit Stop. I’d never used it before but I did see someone successfully use it the other week. I bought it mostly out of curiosity, but I am a BELIEVER! Here’s what happened: I changed the tube fine, but when I went to fill it with the CO2, my cartridge must not have been on very well because nearly all the CO2 went out the sides into the air. I had one extra CO2, but I was worried about screwing up again and then really being SOL. So, instead I used the Pit Stop. And it worked like a charm. It’s so easy to use. It filled my tube with foam and CO2. It didn’t fill it close to the 115psi (the instructions say to use a hand-pump after the Pit Stop), but it was enough to get me back on the road. Supposedly (I only say that because I haven’t tested it) the Pit Stop will work even on a damaged tube, so you don’t even have to take the time to change the tube. That’s perfect for races. The drawback is that it’s sort of expensive (~$13 I think), so I’ll only use it in emergencies or races, but those times, yee haw!
In other news, on Saturday morning, Elizabeth, Charlie and I are headed to New York for about 10 days. Mostly we’ll be in Wainscott, but we’ll also hit the City for a few days. That’s the reason I did my long ride today. Well, that, and the fact that I can! I don’t want to be without a bike for that long, so I’m bringing my Felt road bike. I’ve never traveled with a bike before. I borrowed a Trico Iron Case from my friend Will and will be lugging this across the country:
I was a little nervous about taking the bike apart and jamming it into the case, so I did it a few extra days early. It took a little while, but was really easy. Essentially, it’s wheels off, back derailleur off, seat post off and handlebars disconnected. I didn’t have to mess with any cables or anything that requires more than an allan wrench. Here’s what it looks like:
A big piece of foam goes on top of the bike and then the wheels, then another piece of foam. Then the straps get tightened and voila!
Taking it apart was easy, but let’s see what happens when I go to put it back together!! Keep your fingers crossed!
Brick – June 18
Total Time: 5:21:30
Bike:
Distance: 90.2 miles
Time: 5:06
Average heart rate: 129
Course: PCH to Big Rock, up Latigo, down Kanam Dume, back on PCH
Transition Time: 3:53
Run:
Distance: 1.5 miles
Time: 11:30 minutes
Average heart rate: 142
Run Course: Ocean Ave
Conditions: Overcast and cool (low 60’s) start, then hot and sunny by middle of ride