I'm a Hot Tamale!

Saturday, June 2, 2012, we rode in the Hot Tamale Bicycle Tour.

I chose to ride the 32 mile route while Todd would ride the 64 mile route.  This posed a few problems.  Well, one problem.  What if I get a flat tire? I've never changed a flat tire before.

We were discussing this one evening and we just happened to have a wheel and tire in our living room (don't ask).  He showed me how to change the tube.  Easy enough.  It just so happens that my spiffy white basket can hold a bicycle pump and some spare tubes. 

We woke up at 4am, this ride was a long drive from home.  It was pretty chilly that morning, but they had donuts at the registration area, so it worked out okay.

The first 16 miles of the tour we rode together.  

Here we are.  I had the coolest bike on the whole tour.  You know it.

There was a snack stop at mile 16.  This ride is famous for the cookies, and let me tell you.... they were delicious cookies.  I ate one of each kind because I didn't want to miss anything.  I also ate a banana for good measure.  Todd left to ride the rest of his 64 mile ride and we would meet at the finish.  While I was resting (and eating cookies), I met a nice girl named Amy.  We chatted for a bit and then I left to head to the finish to wait for Todd.

So there I was, riding by myself.  About a mile down the road, guess what?  I got a FLAT TIRE.  Wouldn't you know it?  But I was prepared, I know how to change the tire.  But first, I have to get it off the bike... and to do that I have to undo the brake, which I have no idea how to do.  I talked to Todd on the phone and he told me what to do.  But my luck got even better!  A nice couple stopped to offer their assistance!  The man did all the work and changed my tire for me!  I will be eternally grateful!

All is well and I head out again.  My ride back was pretty uneventful, until..... clank clank clank.  My chain fell off.  Uhoh... I have NO IDEA how to put a chain on.  Some older very odd man (not on the bicycle tour) came by and I told him that my chain fell off.  He said, "Oh, okay, have a great day!" and rode away in the opposite direction.  Gee, Thanks!  Soon enough, a nice man came by and fixed my chain for me.  Good thing he had tools because it was stuck and he had to remove the chain guard.  

On our way home, we dropped my bike off at the bike shop because of my wonky gears and too many flats.  They fixed my bent derailleur, gave it a tune-up, and put new rim tape on my front wheel.  

Maybe no more flats?  Tomorrow's another day.