Bicycle Maintenance

Last week I promised a friend I would change the rear tire and tube on her bicycle. It was a free bike she had been given. She had discovered a bubble on the tire and when I looked it was clear the tires were rotting out. I could pull fibers apart with my finger nails. So after a few hours at the softball sponsor bar I sat down to change the tire. It took a little while, I've only done a few so I'm not fast.

Sunday I was up in Lincoln Square for another softball game (I'm on three teams this summer). Leaving the field I discover my rear tire is flat. I ask a local if there's a nearby bike shop and he directs me about 4 blocks south on Lincoln Ave. I get down there and ask them to repair the tire. I was in a rush to get to my next game and figured they would be faster.

While there I wandered around the little shop looking at their stock. There was an amazing find! Three Schwinn Fastbacks with "Stik Shifts!"





Yesterday morning I rode to work and then home. I had a 9:30 volleyball game (yeah, I'm busy). I didn't get two houses away when I discovered my tire was flat again!!!! I'm guessing a spoke has broken through the protective strip and is puncturing the tube. I have to get that fixed soon.