Famous Last Words

“Be Prepared!” - Boy Scouts Motto

In the interest of getting in shape, I bought myself a new Trek bike for my birthday in April. It’s a lovely road bike, and I believe it weighs probably less than 20% of my old bike. Ah, modern technology! I enjoy biking, and although it’s beastly hot this time of year, yesterday I decided to go for one last ride, before taking it in for its first true tune-up. Unfortunately the tire pressure was low, and not having a good pump at home, I brought it into Spokes for air. I let the Spokesperson know I’d have it back before they closed at 8:00 so they could do the tune-up today, and that I’d be getting a pump when I picked up the bike, so he didn’t have to keep filling the tires for me. Ah, famous last words!

My plan was to go about 6 miles out, then turn back so I could get back to the shop before they closed. From where I started, it turns out that the 6 mile mark was exactly on top of a bridge, with a lovely view of highway and lots of trees. As I was taking the last gentle hill up to this bridge, I heard a pop and a hiss, and looked around for where someone was shooting leftover fireworks. Of course as my bike started to ride funny, I realized I was that someone, and the firework was indeed my rear tire blowing out. Dagnabbit!! Well this was a new experience – I’d never blown out a tire before – but of course not all new experiences are created equal, and this wasn’t exactly on my list of experiences to experience before I die … oh well. Grrrr….

I got off the bike and turned towards home. 6 miles is only 10K – I figured I could probably walk it (with bike in tow) in about an hour and a half if I was brisk … hopefully back to the car before dark. UGH. This definitely wasn’t in the plan, and I was certain not to make it to the shop. I was so annoyed!!

Enter Jeff with the Yellow Shirt. 0.6 miles back down the trail, Jeff with the Yellow Shirt slowed down and asked if I needed help repairing my tire. I accepted his offer immediately, thanking him profusely and silently giving thanks for friendly, helpful strangers. We pulled over to a little grassy area, and I told him I had a new inner tube, but no pump. I explained to him how it was a new bike, and that literally I’d told the guy at the shop an hour before that I’d be purchasing a pump tomorrow. He chuckled, and we sat on the grass as he showed me how to change the tire. He did all of the work, but he talked me through each step, so I could do it myself next time. When it came time to inflate it, he pulled out this slick little CO2 cartridge, explaining that it’s very fast, light, and portable, but the more expensive option than your normal pump. Voila – in no time, the tire was inflated and back on the bike. I carry some cash with me on my bike, and I asked if I could pay him, to replace his CO2 cartridge. He said, “Naah, just help someone else out in the future.” My face must have brightened up as I told him I’m a huge fan of paying it forward, and that I certainly would do so. I thanked him again, then Jeff with the Yellow Shirt and I went our opposite ways.

I didn’t make it to the store before closing last night, but I’m going to try again tonight – to take a ride without losing a tire – and to make it to the store in time. Tomorrow – yes tomorrow – I’ll buy a new replacement tube, and two CO2 canisters … one to fix my own next blow-out, and one to help someone else. Thanks Jeff!

Action Challenges: 1) Be Prepared!! 2) Pay it Forward. For more detail, reference my earlier blog on this topic.

Cheers and all my best to you!

~Brooxi

© Stephanie Brooks 2008