Five hours of driving for five minutes of riding would hardly have been worth it without the hour of trailside repair work.
Hunter and I were meeting up with three guys we’d not met before, Eric, Dave and Henry. This was Hunter’s first ride of the year and an overnighter at that. When my front tire was flat after unloading I wasn’t worried. After all, I have the Tubliss system (http://nuetech.com/tubliss/). It took just a minute to find the hole, plug it and air up.
But a mile down the trail it was flat again — bad sign. “I think I can fix this and catch up,” I suggested but the guys were glad not only to wait but dive in with help. I could tell by their unrepeatable banter, as they set to work, they’d spent time together.
In spite of herculean efforts running through a plan A, B and maybe C, it was not to be. The inner Tubliss tube had a tear at the valve, rendering the system useless, and a spare tube (from Henry, I think) ended up being the wrong size. We were nonetheless inches from having it mounted when it pinched. That was that.
Thanks much for the help Eric, Dave and Henry. Hunter and I are planning a make-up ride.
by Jason Abbott