First flat…

I got up extra early this morning to make sure I could get in a nice morning ride before work. It was, of course, still dark. I set off with the intention of repeating my ride from yesterday morning, but with perhaps a wee bit more.
‘Twas not to be.

I made it as far as our local police station when…phftttt…flat. I’d come, I later discovered, 1.63 miles which was just barely enough to get my blood moving. Luckily it was only about a mile to work from there, it could have been much worse.
Fortunately a week or so ago I purchased a spare tube and the tools I’d need to change a flat on the go. Unfortunately when it happened it was still pitch black outside. I had to walk to work with the bike just to get enough light to make the repair.
I was surprised by how smoothly the actual repair went, it seemed to take longer to take off the rear wheel. Putting it back on will probably be just as annoying. I’m going to have to look around for tips on doing that easily. Speaking of tips, though I’d changed tubes before – some twenty years ago, I did quick Google search just to be sure I had decent instructions while I did the job (at my desk where there’s lots of light). I found some very clear instructions on Bicycle South’s website. They are a store in Decataur, Georgia that it seems likely I’ll never visit. Thanks guys, you’ve got a great site!
The culprit, turns out, was a tiny piece of glass. This image isn’t from Honolulu, but sometimes I think it could be. 🙁

I’ve been good about going over my tires after every ride so I most likely picked it up this morning, in the dark. I guess that’s one of the disadvantages to such early mornings. I don’t suppose there is much I could have done differently, so I won’t!
The hardest part of the whole mess, besides walking, was replacing the back wheel. I’d somehow gotten it off without much trouble, though now I wonder how. Getting it on was actually easy too, but getting the brake in place took some doing and some remembering how they actually worked. Still it was five minutes work and led to a quick test around the parking lot – a reasonable break from work. It wasn’t, however, the nice early morning ride I’d planned. I can, however, take solace in the fact that I get to visit the bike store on my way home.
And so it was…
I bought 2 tubes this time, not just one. I suspect next I’ll work on a patch kit, but for now swapping out the tubes seems simpler, faster, cleaner, and probably safer. I also bought a bolt for the seat so I could take the quick release off. Last I checked I hadn’t grown so I’m not likely to want to adjust the seat regularly and I’m not big on carrying it around everywhere. I may change my mind on that though. We’ll see.
Aloha!