A Flat Life

I started a new job last week. I enjoy it quite a bit. It's located in Smyrna, about 12 miles from my apartment. Not bad if you drive. If you ride a bicycle full time, it can be a major hassle if you're not prepared.

An example of this occurred my very first few days on the job. On both New Year's Eve and New Year's day, I got flat tires. I only had 2 spare tubes, so the day after New Year's, I was stranded because the world (including my bike shop) celebrated the holiday on the 2nd, so I had to wait until the 3rd to walk to the shop and purchase 3 new tubes.

That week, I had 2 more flats. I finally asked the guys at the bike shop what I should do. They suggested "Gator Skins," made with Kevlar, the stuff in bullet proof vests. They cost $70 a set, but they've been worth it. My front tire was low yesterday, but after pumping a little air in it, I made it home. The injury to the tube did not occur as a result of puncture, rather, it appears to have been "pinched," maybe from speeding over a pot hole or striking an object while going fast. To remedy this, I've reduced my speed considerably (while commuting, anyway). I find going slower makes for a much more pleasant commute. I'm less sweaty when I arrive at work, and far less tired. We'll see how the change in speed affects the flats.