I did my best last night, but as has been the case recently my best was not good enough. To my credit I was far less of a hindrance last night than I was two weeks ago, however…
It was on the return ride from the bike shop back to the office that the slow leak occurred. The leak was either a result of me having to maneuver off of a sidewalk, or more probably the result of my front tire hitting a screwdriver in the road that I never saw (it was already past 8pm and I was dog tired as I pedaled up the last big incline of the evening). In fact I thought that I’d hit a stick, but was informed by the two riders behind me that it was a screwdriver.
I rode at least three miles before stopping at a light, and reaching down to discover that my front tire was losing air, about a mile from the end of the ride. I did my best to nurse the bike back to the office before finally giving up and doing some hike-a-bike.
When I finally arrived home last night, past 9:00pm, I did a quick inspection of the front wheel. It looks as if the rim survived unscathed, and the Gatorskin tire didn’t have any obvious damage. I expect to find a snakebite in the tube when I get time to look at it tonight or tomorrow morning.
ITP Flickr Pic
“Fat Americans” (Dunwoody, GA)
Still not taken with my Nikon V1, but I like the shot enough to post here.
This was a trashcan near the Cold Stone Creamery in the Perimeter Mall area. I passed this when I was walking to Target yesterday. As you can imagine this can was literally overflowing with ice cream cups. Doesn’t anyone eat cones any longer?
When Am I Going To Learn?
Clearly I was far too tired to finish my German homework when I arrived home last night. I know this about myself but I’ve yet to figure out how to get everything done in the week between classes.
And Then I Do This
After German class tonight I’ll be swinging over to Smith’s Olde Bar to hear the band My Jerusalem play. I’ve been a fan of this Texas band for a couple of years now, most noticeably when I saw them play what I considered to be an awesome set of music at The EARL in a “crowd” of no more than fifteen people.
Cheers,
Paulie [eatl/ga]
“Fat Americans”? Why, because people like ice cream? Sheesh. For someone so critical of himself all the time, it kinda surprises me that you’d come off so judgmental of others. With an overflowing trash can like that, I’m going to guess there was some sort of an event or another and people got out on a nice day with friends or family to share a little ice cream. I probably would have entitled it something more like “Looks Like a Party Success” or “We All Scream For Ice Cream” but, hey. That’s just me.
What you describe about your bike is probably one of the main reasons I don’t bike: knowing how to properly maintain/fix on the fly. I reckon there are probably classes I can take on that though.
Related to yesterday’s post: I learned that Jon Hamm is in town because he’s doing some sort of project with Kevin Spacey. So this weekend’s agenda is Spacey Stalking. 😉
I have always been a “glass half empty” sort. It’s because that I am so critical of myself that I judge others. fwiw – I love ice cream, and the only reason I don’t eat it more often is fear of being the size of a house.
I didn’t mention that this was the only trashcan overflowing because it was the closest to the store, a ten yard walk to one of the other trashcans wouldn’t have required much more effort. Maybe I should have titled it “Lazy Americans”.
There are indeed classes that teach you how to repair common cycling breakdowns. I’ve learned over time, and my stint as a Toys R Us bicycle builder back in the 1980s helped me a lot as well.
Good luck with your Stacy Spacey Stalking! Kevin Spacey is another of the rare celebrity that I think that I would recognize in public.
Stacy, minimal bike repair and maintenance is something easily learned and several of us can teach you. Don’t let that keep you from becoming a cyclist. I think I have already repaired 3 flats this year, but such is the life of living on a gravel road and riding narrow tires.
Speaking of Kevin Spacey, I learned yesterday he will be the closing speaker when I go to Cisco Live in LV in July. Sadly though, I will be on my way to the airport to come home.
Let’s see, while I should have gotten out on my bike, I came home, took a bit of a nap, swapped the bush hog for the mower on the tractor so Debbie could do some trail maintenance, and watched a somewhat disturbing movie with George Clooney called “Three Kings” about trying to steal Kuwaiti gold after the fall of Iraq.
Off to a Games meeting tonight, then off to Birmingham tomorrow for some work.
-FP
So, I learned yesterday – I think the whole building permit process should not even be allowed for a homeowner to request. The electrical inspector decided now that we have all the wrong outlets. So, we have to change them all out. He’s been here twice & never noticed before? Allan is so annoyed. And – its for a shed that will be locked – they have to be tamper proof? ARGHHHHHHH
What will they come up with next so we don’t pass……..??????
Sounds like the inspectors don’t have enough work to do, Barb. Good luck. And what exactly is a “tamper proof” outlet?
and Stacy- get tubeless tires – then you don’t have to worry about flats. I’ve got themn on my mountain bike. I’m sure they have saved me many times I should have had a flat. And – ony road flat, I’ve always had others around to help, so I have never actually fixed a flat.
I have no idea what a tamper proof outlet is, but I’m sure it cost extra.
Oh please! And that should have been said the first time, not the third time.
I’m surely going to need half a dozen outlets when I wire up the barn. Save them for me.
Interesting, tamper proof outlets basically require both slots to be filled in order for electricity to flow. So if a child puts a paper clip or key into one of the slots they won’t be zapped. Good idea but the kid probably needs to learn that lesson himself 🙂
I’m loving this weather for commuting to work, I’m sure in a week or so it will start getting pretty hot in the afternoons. Next week is national bike to work week. Try it once, you may enjoy it.
Stacy, like Steve said fixing a flat is really easy once you learn how. I would be more than happy to teach you.
Also this Sunday is the Roswell Mayor’s ride and Criterium race. Travis has a cub scout campout so will miss the ride but will be there for the races. Anybody else going?
Seems to me that if it’s so important to have “tamper proof” outlets then that should be all that stores should be selling.
I will be in Black Mountain, NC this weekend — it’s LEAF time again!
It’s been a while since I tried commuting to work, maybe I’ll do it once next week.
I’ve thought about trying to ride to work, but the roads are so crazy busy around here, I’d probably get run over.
I know I can’t/won’t ride on Delk, I could take a round about way- but really, Franklin Road is just as scary.
Allan won’t be home in time to do the Mayor’s ride (unless we started about an hour late) but we might go watch some racing.
And Bob – I don’t see why that would be required in a shed in the back yard, tht will be locked……. but – damn codes……..
I get it- anywhere a kid might go- even though you don’t have any, should be tamper proof, but that should have been brought up well before now.
The races in Roswell aren’t quite like the old days, judging the prize list I’ve seen, but it should still be great racing. Come by the start finish line and say hello, I’ll be in the area all day. Fast women race at 3:35 and fast men at 4:40.
ok – so here’s my question- why even sell anything that isn’t tamper proof???
Its really just so annoying that the guy never said anything when he was telling us the wiring was the wrong color. You’d think he’s have mentioned it.
I agree with you Barb and I have heard stories like yours before too. You would think the inspector could look at all things and point other potential issues instead of having to come out multiple times just to fail you. Or maybe they are paid by the inspection and are just milking the system (that is the conspiracy theorist in me).