Today I had four flat tires … Two on the back wheel, and two on the trailer wheel…
The first flat was on the trailer wheel… I was lucky to see other riders doing the MS150 (charity race done once a year in many states), and one rider helped me patch the tire – I have to tell you … At this point it is really good being helped even for a flat….
At around mile 40, I had two more flats – the second flat on the trailer wheel and another one on the back wheel….I was able to fix them, but I have used up all the patches, and I did not have anymore extra tubes…so if I had another flat, I was in trouble….
Well…guess what… Fourth flat at mile #45…and I was about 19 miles from Malibu…so I started to walk – I did not have any other choice…until a rider passed by and stopped when I signaled him for help …
Mike – an Ironman in training- did not have any patches and his spare tube was not the same as mine …
He told me that he was an hour away from his car which was near to a bike shop … He said that he could buy me a patch kit and bring it to me … I said : ” sweet, I will see you when you get back”…
I kept on walking, until another rider showed up -Ron. He had a patch kit, and he was willing to help me….
We examined the tire, and found out that it needs to be changed ASAP… The tire is so worn out that any debris (little rocks, glass, etc) can puncture it … We were able to fix it temporarily (at least for today), but I need to buy a new tire if I want to keep riding…
When I was back on the road, Mike showed up with a patch kit as promised … I asked him how much it was…he said : “no worries dude”…
At the end of today’s ride, I had a slow leak on the tire … This forced me to stop every five miles to put some air…
Oh yeah…it was a fun 90 mile ride, but I made it to Manhattan Beach (south of Los Angeles International Airport) ….
Cool pictures from Santa Monica Beach State Park and Venice Beach…
The day got much better when Juan Pablo’s parents (My godson) invited me not only to stay at their place but also to eat some awesome Colombian food…
Tomorrow I need to buy a new tire and -of course- ride more miles….
Manhattan beach Temp: 60.8 °F Humidity: 80% Speed: n/a Direction: n/a Clouds: scattered clouds
Damian,
Puedes ir un poco mas rapido estos ultimos dias? Nos hemos quedado sin crema para el cafe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dame! You are already south of LAX? ahhhhh! you are almost done! you have to get to your goal! you have come so far! I don’t care if you bike, stateboard or walk there, now you have to finish! Almost done, 4 more days! RAGE ON!