First On-The-Road Tire Change

Yep. I have been very fortunate to not have to change a tire on the road for nearly 9 months. Today was the first day I got a flat while commuting. The other flat I had to change was done at home in my garage like a civilized human being. I got this flat about a mile away from home, so I decided to make the change right there. Fortunately, I carry a spare inner tube and kick-ass pump with me every day, so I was able to make it happen. Unfortunately, it took me 40 minutes to make the change from the time I pulled over until I got it all fixed and on the road again. This was due partly to the lack of experience I have in doing this kind of on-the-road maintenance, and part was due to the tools I had at hand. It was my back tire, so dealing with the chain was a little more complex than the front tire. Also, I had to pop the tire off the frame with my garage door key (the least-used key in my chain), since I don't have a tire wrench. The next time I'm at the Bike Gallery, I am getting one of those things. Damn! Anyway, I got in to work 45 minutes late, but felt great about being able to make the change on my own without assistance. Just another notch in the belt of being a full-fledged member of the biking community.