This is going to be the first in a semi-occurring series of "How To" ________. This article we explore the art of riding home with a flat tire.
Yesterday I found myself in a rather tough situation. At 5:30pm I happily raced out of work and went to mount my single speed bike to pedal home and make my group ride at 7:00pm in Arlington (Freshbikes).
Problem #1: When I arrived at my bike I had a flat front tire.
Problem #2: No spare tire or anything to fix it.
Problem #3: Rush hour metro, so no-can-do on the metro + bike.
Problem #4: There is no way on earth I am riding the metro without my bike in this heat with that many people. Walking, not worth mentioning.
SOLUTION: Ride home with a flat front tire.
Now I must admit, this is something which is not advised by 99.7% of cyclists. HOWEVER, someday you may find yourself with a crappy rim which you despise it's very existence and an old tire you were looking to burn (not literally my eco-aware friends) and a group ride which you simply cannot miss for the sake of your mental sanity. If you find yourself in such a situation, I've put together some pointers to live by when riding home with a flat tire.
1. Straight lines - Remember, you have 0 psi in that front rim. Therefore any sudden movement left or right is going to cause that tire to slide off the rim and before you know it you will be laying in the pothole which needed paved for the past 3 years staring at the Metro bus running the red light while cutting through the bike lane on L street (it is a bike lane right?).
2. Turning - In the event you must turn... 5mph (8kph) or less is an appropriate speed. A good way to measure this is as you begin your turn, the number of cars behind you should increase by five times the number which existed at the beginning of the turn (ex: 1 car behind while on 13th street. 5 cars by the time you turn on H street).
3. Bike Rim - If you have a rim which is worth more than $100, or you care in any way about your rim, do not ride home. This very well could be the final voyage of your rim which so rudely decided to pick up that piece of glass in the first place. You might teach it a lesson, but you may never see it again too.
4. Tire - Its dead.
5. Riding in a group - No. While you have a flat you are banned from participating in pace lines / drafting / racing / communicating / eye contact with other cyclists. You ARE a hazard to them. Exceptions to this rule are if the cyclists notices your predicament and graciously offer you a spare tube.
6. Smile - You're now on your way home and your total trip is only going to be delayed by 5 minutes if you're commuting in DC!
By following these simple steps I was able to make it safely home and off to my group ride in time (with a bike which did not have a flat tire).
Happy pedaling!
Problem #1: When I arrived at my bike I had a flat front tire.
Problem #2: No spare tire or anything to fix it.
Problem #3: Rush hour metro, so no-can-do on the metro + bike.
Problem #4: There is no way on earth I am riding the metro without my bike in this heat with that many people. Walking, not worth mentioning.
SOLUTION: Ride home with a flat front tire.
Now I must admit, this is something which is not advised by 99.7% of cyclists. HOWEVER, someday you may find yourself with a crappy rim which you despise it's very existence and an old tire you were looking to burn (not literally my eco-aware friends) and a group ride which you simply cannot miss for the sake of your mental sanity. If you find yourself in such a situation, I've put together some pointers to live by when riding home with a flat tire.
1. Straight lines - Remember, you have 0 psi in that front rim. Therefore any sudden movement left or right is going to cause that tire to slide off the rim and before you know it you will be laying in the pothole which needed paved for the past 3 years staring at the Metro bus running the red light while cutting through the bike lane on L street (it is a bike lane right?).
2. Turning - In the event you must turn... 5mph (8kph) or less is an appropriate speed. A good way to measure this is as you begin your turn, the number of cars behind you should increase by five times the number which existed at the beginning of the turn (ex: 1 car behind while on 13th street. 5 cars by the time you turn on H street).
3. Bike Rim - If you have a rim which is worth more than $100, or you care in any way about your rim, do not ride home. This very well could be the final voyage of your rim which so rudely decided to pick up that piece of glass in the first place. You might teach it a lesson, but you may never see it again too.
4. Tire - Its dead.
5. Riding in a group - No. While you have a flat you are banned from participating in pace lines / drafting / racing / communicating / eye contact with other cyclists. You ARE a hazard to them. Exceptions to this rule are if the cyclists notices your predicament and graciously offer you a spare tube.
6. Smile - You're now on your way home and your total trip is only going to be delayed by 5 minutes if you're commuting in DC!
By following these simple steps I was able to make it safely home and off to my group ride in time (with a bike which did not have a flat tire).
Happy pedaling!