Two Wheel Blogs

Two-old came over this weekend for some riding and such. We went out on two great rides and for some reason, I am really feeling the sort of deep down tired a body gets after a couple of fun rides.

For the event, I prepared by installing a faster and lighter rear tire (it also provides more chainstay/tire clearance). I have had my problems with the Michelin ATs in the past as you may recall, but I like the performance so much that I was willing to risk some of the durability issues.

I made it one and a half rides before the final death blow was struck to this tire. There is little chance of squeezing any more from this tire.

I rounded a washout corner that has lots of loose gravel and we both heard it (2-old saw it as a giant puff of loose soil blew up as the tire opened up). A rock bearing close resemblance to an Indian artifact cleanly sliced a gash in the tire (I say "cleanly" because a surgical blade would be needed to produce a finer cut). The cut is about an inch long and crosses several cords. For the record this was the 7th ride on this tire since I bought it (I keep track of this sort of thing...especially when a tire does not even make it 100 miles).

Luckily 2-old had a boot (manufactured from a plastic milk carton) in his pack, and shortly after I destroyed my saddle bag, the tire was back together so that we could finish the final 7 miles of the ride.

I was determined to really tear this tire a new one after the repair. I wanted to give it a real "going out" party, but it seems when I want to tear things up...nothing happens. We finished the rest of the ride without event (other than seeing a lot of turtles).

Now the Michelins are both fully cashed (you may recall the other one's demise), and hanging in my garage. I put the slower-than-snot Rampage back on for it's sheer durability. It should carry me through winter. I also installed a new chain, and rear cog. I will be spinning a much easier gear for a while....should be fun.