dammit!

Flatted for the first time in a long time this morning.  I was close enough to the office that it was a toss up between changing the tube then and there or just walking to the office.  I opted to walk which was probably a mistake.  It only took 10 minutes to change the tube, and 30 minutes to walk the rest of the commute.

Oh well.  It's not like I would have accomplished anything with that extra 20 minutes anyway.  Changing the tube is probably the most productive thing I've done at work in a while.

Current beer-scale: 7/8

when you see a swat team, turn around

Well that was a bust. On multiple levels.

I stupidly decided to stay on the path and take Wilson last night, which first resulted in walking through some wave spray and ended with a flat and walking the last 10 blocks.

The flat probably happened when I hit a metal plate covering some road work as I was trying to get around the bad traffic that had sprung up. Traffic was terrible on Wilson b/c everyone was rubbernecking at the tactical units on the street dealing with a standoff:

http://www.suntimes.com/9268140-417/three-surrender-after-6-hour-standoff-on-north-side.html

Didn't know that at the time, but there was a report on WGN this morning. Insane.

Anyway, switched tubes when I got home, took Lincoln this morning. Puttered along, didn't have to worry about anything. I guess that's the way to go from now on.

Current beer-scale: 4.3

fleeting success

Longer lasting failure.

Got to my bike after a long afternoon, had a flat. My luck has been pretty good for a while so I was due, but it still sucked.

I was pissed for a second, then realized I had everything I needed to take care of it. Spare tube, levers, pump, adapter. Like a boss. I was late, but I could still ride home.

All the tools and materials necessary to do a job.

I set everything out and got to work. Ten minutes later, the spare was in and the tire was ready to go back on the bike. I felt great.

For about a block. The spare I had was a patch job and the tire was bubbling by the time I had turned the corner onto Pearson. Wonderful.

So it was time to walk home again, this time with a stop at running away to pick up some tubes. The one remaining rubino I still had on over a new tube and hopefully I can ride tomorrow.

I had been looking for a new pair of tires to put on but hadn't wanted to spend the money right now. As always though, the bike seemed to have other ideas. I'd say next time I'll just buy the damn tires but I won't. It's not like this has happened enough times for me to learn anything yet.

Current beer-scale: 5.9