Last night I went to a bike maintenance class at Performance Bike.
Here are some key take-aways…
…I had no idea I was to be wiping off and lubing the chain. (Some of you might be thinking, “Duh!” Yet, I’ll admit I hadn’t even considered it.)
…I was up on all the tire checking and tire inflation information, thanks to my cycling friends!
…I was convinced to purchase a little Phillips screwdriver/Allen wrench tool so I could more easily make adjustments.
…I learned how to check over the bike for wear and tear – that seemed very good to know.
…Changing a tire is hard! I volunteered to be the other person, with the instructor, who was changing one of the tires on the demo bike.
Yeah, I couldn’t get the tire off. (I was pushing with that bright yellow tool with all my might! I had a big red indent in the middle of my palm to prove it.) I couldn’t get the tire back on. I was mushing and pushing and rolling with the pads of my thumbs. Couldn’t get that sucker back on, and I felt like I was rubbing the skin off my thumbs. Now, we can pretend it was because the bike tire was too new and not even flat…but that only helps with the taking off scenario and I don’t even think it’s true. I was NOT the star pupil I had imagined myself being. AND, I didn’t even practice with a CO2 cartridge, which is what I’d have out on the road by myself. Yikes! A bit discouraging…
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