Failure to launch

Upon leaving the office yesterday: load backpack, log off computer, check lab bench for cleanliness with detour to locker room to change into cycling gear, wheel bike into the elevator for the trip from my secret sub-basement lair to the cycling launch ramp, pivot bicycle on back wheel to turn it around in the elevator.

Squish. Wow, that is one flat tire.

I had a flat tire once before, soon after I acquired my road bike; at that time I didn't have a spare or tools, or any idea what to do about it, or perhaps, to quote the good Reverend, I just couldn't be bothered. This time, however, I had a spare tube, CO2 cartridge and wallet-sized "how to change your tire" instructions from the box the tube came in. Brilliant!

Half an hour later (yes, I'll be faster next time; I'm not sure I'd ever even removed a rear wheel before) I had the old tube and offending microscopic shard of glass removed and the new one in. Inflate halfway with CO2. Looks good. Still feels underinflated, squirt the rest of the CO2 in there... pop! The wheel rim relieves itself of about pi/6 of the tire bead.

Deflate, reseat bead, note that I have no more CO2 left (and anyone that I know who might have a pump in their office has long since left), carry bike up to ground level, note big rack of bikes outside. Surely enough, someone has an unsecured frame pump. Thanks, someone! That provided enough pressure to get me up the street to a convenient local bike shop, where I could borrow a proper pump to top off the tire for an uneventful remainder of a commute home.

All in all, just a dirty-enough job to feel manly - or, as manly as one can feel in spandex shorts.