Gran Gable - mile 56 - the flat tire

All I wanted at mile 56 was to lay in the shade and close my eyes and fall asleep.  I got to the rest stop before Andrew and Jill and propped my bike on the curb. They rolled in, propped their bikes, grabbed a banana and some water, and came to stand in the shade (they were worried they wouldn't be able to get up if they sat down).  Suddenly I heard a pop and knew someone's tired just popped. I begged for it not to be the Kuota.  It was the Kuota. 

Jill had bought us extra tubes and brought her tire pump. I had thrown in my tire spoons. The only thing we needed was someone who knew how to change a tire.  And that guy was in Japan.  Thankfully the rest stop had a few dedicated bikers who were well versed in changing tires and were able to walk us through it until we failed and they completed it for us.  

I have changed a tire before but it was 5 years ago. I don't change a tire until I am putting on my winter tire for my cyclops or have a flat.  I had an idea of how to do it. Andrew's probably never changed a bike tire.  Jill has been forced to watch Steve show her how to change a bike tire. We were quite the trio. 

And it was the back tire that blew out which was even more complicated to change due to the chain and crank shaft and such. 

This is the gentlemen who saved the day. He talked us through it then came over to show us a few tricks.

Andrew using Jill's baby pump to pump up the tire.  We were fortunate that another rider had a double pump which helped. I need to Amazon that and have it shipped to the house asap.

These gentlemen helped us put the tire back on the bike. You have to get all the pieces in the right place or you could probably screw a lot of things up!  

I was nervous to ride the remaining 4-6 miles but all went well.  Slow and steady got us to the finish line.  We rode in. Crossed the finish line. Got our picture taken. Loaded the bikes and enjoyed some A/C and Casey's pizza slices. 

Steve thinks we should do the 100 miler next year. I am on board if it's not 95 degrees. If it's 95 degrees I will meet the riders in the Amana Colonies.