I changed the flat tire on my bike... all by myself.
Late last fall, my back tire went dead. I'd re-pump every time I went out, but the slow leak persisted. Then cold set in and I hung my bike up in the garage and returned to the Spinning room for winter. The poor weather this spring has made it too easy to ignore my bike - especially knowing that I'd have to tackle the flat first. But I'm too stubborn to "take it in" to get fixed. I mean seriously, if I'm going to be a real cyclist, I have to learn to change a flat eventually.
So I got out my hands dirty and figured it out last night. An hour later, her Royal Majesty was fixed up and ready to ride. When my alarm went off at 5am this morning, I gave my running shoes a rest... and reached for my bike helmet instead. There was a giddy excitement percolating inside me to get back on the bike.
The saddle felt small and the tire so skinny. It took me a solid mile to find my balance again... and then I was off like a rocket, my confidence growing with each pedal. I love the FAST feeling that I get from a bike (versus running). Everything sails by so quickly and the wind kisses my skin so cooly. I fall into a deep focus - working the gears with elevation and maneuvering around rocks and cracks in the road (no more flat tires please!) It's been so long since I've ridden my purple beauty... and oh, how I've missed it!
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| The morning sunrise on today's bike ride |
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| Views on my ride |
On my first ride back, I put in 16.5 miles along my favorite country roads. Pure heaven! Time to get back in the saddle again ... and start my training for Venus de Miles in July.
Coming up this week...
Your chance to WIN A FREE ENTRY into the Illinois Venus de Miles bike event on July 28.
I'm giving away a free entry... who wants it??
You look so cute with your bike. Kudos for you changing the tire all by yourself. I am doing a the LATE Night bike ride in Chicago at the end of June. You should do it too.
ReplyDeleteNice job Jess! A girl after my own cyclist heart... I would TOTALLY drive down to Illinois to ride that event with you! That's two weeks before my IronGirl in Pleasant Prairie.
ReplyDeleteSarah
www.thinfluenced.com
I will see ya at Venus!!!!
ReplyDeleteI think my bike's tires have disintegrated into the floor of my garage. :(
ReplyDeleteI haven't been on a bike in years...mine is stuck in another state right now...however it is just a lowly street/mountain bike...not a racing machine. I am kind of excited to maybe see it this fall and get some rides in our hometown in again. On another front, I have been horrible about running as well...out of the routine and that is the hardest part for me. Once I get back into the routine, it is easy for me to stick with it. Have a trip out of state next week for 6 days and after I get back, I plan to hit the road in the form of a walk or run everyday if I can.
ReplyDeletegreat job woman! i've gotta figure this out myself! i think it's irresponsible of me to be out on a mountain bike and not know how to change a tire or fix a flat!
ReplyDeleteCongrats! It feels good to complete a task like that!
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