Gabby Parsons
Posted by Pat Gallagher on August 10, 2009
After 5 flats in the last 2 weeks, I have come to realize that bikers are generally a great bunch of people. Yes- too many of them run red lights, ride on the sidewalk or ride the wrong way on a one way street. But basically they are really good people.
The first 3 of the 5 flats came at convenient locations (if there is such a thing)- at home, at the office, 3 blocks from my destination. The last 2 (hopefully the last 2- but more likely the more recent 2) came at less convenient locations.
It was only supposed to be about a 30 mile ride on Sunday, but the first flat of the day came 15 miles into the ride. I happened to be riding past a park when I flatted, so I found a nice spot on a park bench and pulled the back wheel off the bike (why does it have to be the back wheel when you’re out on the road?). It was at this point that I realized that had had not returned all the proper equipment to the bike bag when I fixed flat #3. No tire-levers. So I called my wife to ask her to come get me. Before I finished on the phone with Laura another rider came along with tire levers- pulled the tire off and rode away (he wanted to get home before the heat advisory at Noon), so I told Laura that she didn’t have to come get me. I pulled the old tube out, checked the tire for any foreign objects, grabbed a new tube (the last one in the bike bag) and a CO2 cartridge. But there was no adapter for the CO2 cartridge. I called Laura again- “come get me.” Only this time she was in the shower and didn’t notice the answering machine when she got out. A few minutes later another rider came along- not only did he have an adaper, but in his car (right across the street) he had a floor pump- so I didn’t have to use my last CO2 cartridge! Minutes later my tire is changed, I call Laura to tell her not to pick me up and I’m on the road again.
I told Laura that I would call her when I was 10-15 miles from the end, so she could then come meet me for lunch. When I got to that point I called her and then started riding towards Brasserie V, where we would meet for lunch. About a mile after turning on to Seminole Highway, I flatted again! This time I had no spare tube, so I called Laura to tell her where I was and this time she really should come pick me up. As I walked towards Madison, waiting for Laura to get to me, about 3 out of every 4 riders (and if you have ever been on Seminole Highway, south of Madison, you know that’s a lot of riders) stopped to ask if I needed a tube or anything else.
When Laura picked me up I told her about the experience and told her that I realized that bikers are basically good people. I also told her that I realized that it’s time for a new set of tires.
It was my first bike ride of the season yesterday–and I must say it felt great. There are some fantastic bike trails in Middleton (near the new Costco of all places)…and once you dart through all the traffic it’s really quite peaceful..and the best part…not too hilly.
