Still, the wind is usually not too bad in the morning, so I headed a bit west in the river valley, then south past Hwy 402, and then East for a while, before heading North towards the center of the city -- though on quieter roads, and getting off onto the River valley bike trail as soon as possible. (Here is a map, for future reference, I may ride it again some time.)
But at the 36km mark, "disaster" struck.
I was zooming along the bike path, and there was a sudden small bump and a hiss. I was certain that my back wheel had picked up a leaf, which was now stuck under the mudguard and rubbing. I've had that happen several times before. But when I looked down a moment later the rear tire was flat.
Fortunately, I was right at a park (Fork of the Thames, if you want to know), and so I walked my bike up to a park bench to set about changing the tube. I was dreading this, as I've got very tall rims on my Kona, and I find them very tough for removing the tires. It's always a struggle.
But when I examined the tire I first found a small 1/4" long slit/cut in the tread. And next I found this:
Yes that is a HOLE in my rim, right under that spoke. Here, have a closer look:
And then I found more damage:
So... did I hit something? Maybe, but there is no hard evidence - no nail or thorn did I find. Or maybe the rims just failed. It doesn't really matter. I dropped the bike off at my local trusted shop and he's going to work his magic on it... It was time for a tuneup anyway. I recently put new handlebars on, with a bit more rise to them, so I need new cables as well.
So, it looks like no riding for me this weekend.
[Later Edit: (much later) The title of this post refers to an obscure story I came across years ago about a Gorilla that had been taught some sign language. After an earthquake, the gorilla reacted by communicating ""Darn darn floor bad bite." And for some reason it sprang to mind when I sat down to write this.]
3 comments:
Darn, when I read that "goes boom" comment I was hoping you'd finally fallen because of your clips. Although no one has taken me up on my bet so there'd be no financial gain for me. But still....the satisfaction of knowing I was right would've felt good!!!!
Smile!!!!!
~H
Yikes! That is really disappointing. I hope they can fix it quick!
I starting a century this morning when I broke a spoke. No one was around to fix it so I had no other choice but to call it quits.
Not fun...
Sunrims are no good. I purchased one on the last sea to sea tour and mine is very difficult to change also. Its like the rim is too big for the tire but it is supposed to be the correct size?
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