Points of contact are the most vulnerable. In biking, its the tires to the road. And the road is rough: gravel and glass and wire and nails. I spy as a ride, looking for chips of renegade road and glimmering shards of glass. But no one's eyes are that sharp. Flats happen, and learning how to repair the bike is part of my "learn-as-I-go" education of the road. I've fixed a tire maybe twice in my life, and in the past three weeks, I've had three flats. I've needed assistance on each one.
First Flat: A puncture, the size of my small-toe nail bed. The blow was audible from a distance and a quartet of riders behind me from Ohio heard it, pulled over, and coached me through the flat. I write that I was coached, but, truth be told, they did most of the work. "We leave no one behind in our cycling club," offers one from the Cincinnati Cycling Club. Within minutes, the tube is changed and inflated, and the tire reinforced at its tear. 5 minutes off the road. New Yorkers would have left me in disrepair on the side of the road. People are just more helpful in Ohio, swing state be damned.
Second Flat: Just 10 miles later. Same day. Same place on the tire. Ohio is no where in site. I call the bike-ambulance van, and they bring me home. I buy new tires.
Third Flat: This time I thought I might be able to figure it out myself. I heard the hiss, that exhaust of air escaping, and pulled over. I set myself up on one of those Idaho fences that keep the animals penned or the people away and prepared for intestinal surgery on the bike. I lay out my jack-knife and inner tube. I deflate the tire, coax the tire off the rim, and score my fingers along the inside of the tube scavenging for detritus of the road. One, a second, and one more cyclist rides by, but I wave them along with an "It's all good" and "I've got it."
But, of course, I didn't "have it," nor was it "all good" at all. One helpful couple -- both practicing Buddhists -- knew better than to heed my dismissal. They turned about and returned my tire to its rim and the air to the tube. What goes around comes around -- for both my tire and karma.
No doubt some good will come around their way.
Flats truly are a part of that adventure we call life and Karma will always be on your side. You are the one who will always stop and help with a flat. Thank you for stopping on the road for me many times. Your posts make me proud to call you friend. I see your joy, read your beautiful words and I am completely moved! Ill be checking in soon. Love always! y
ReplyDeleteI love the struggle between vulnerability and self-sufficiency in this piece. We change the world not just by those we help, but by those we allow to help us. So cool to know that there are people who push beyond our "I'm oks". I'm loving hearing about your summer posse! Imagining you, stranded in a great expanse under an endless sky, has made me determined to learn how to change a bike tire!
ReplyDeleteChali: I have been stopping to help others along the ride. Sometimes, it is only to lend a hand, quite literally holding "this" or "that," but in each instance, I learn a bit more about changing a tire. And I feel that I become more independent and, of course, more capable of helping others. Changing the tire is something I just need to do again and again.
DeleteThanks for the note!
Christian
The best thing I ever did is invest in Armadillo tires for my bike... flats begone! Here's to no more flats for you and a smooth ride onwards. Endless admiration for what you are doing and for the cause you are supporting. You are amazing!
ReplyDeleteCharl: After those two flats in one day, I realized that I hadn't changed my tires before shipping my bike to Seattle. So they tires were bald when I was riding in the first week. I changed them out on the 4th day of riding, and I've only had one flat since then.
DeleteSo far so good! Thank you for the note!
Christian
Christian, my dear friend,
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this post I now have a greater appreciation for why you "flat" refused to leave me beside the road that day with my flat and why you surrendered you last tube for me. What a guy!!
I am just now reading through all of your fabulous blog entries and it is bitter sweet for me after having to leave the tour after 4 weeks. I miss you all so much and would return at a moments notice if the stars would align in my favor.
I hope you got the card I sent you and look for one in Beaver Dam, too.
Continued success and endless adventures as you complete this noble quest. I will treasure always the connection we made and I am a better person for having met you.
Always your friend,
Sheree
Hey Sheree:
ReplyDeleteI did receive both cards -- thank you so much for connecting again and giving us all a windfall of mail! Your presence is greatly missed, in particular, those winding hilarious stories you would spin at the end of a ride or week of riding. Sorry I haven't had the chance to reply -- I am doing my best to finish faster and earlier and take care of posting, returning e-mails, etc.
Hope all is well in the south!
Big hug (only you and I really understand this one, right!)
Christian