2005/08/10
Last weekend I visited Jean Moxhet in Verviers. He invited a bunch of us for a BBQ and bike ride, and another friend of his from the Phillipines was visiting. We had a great time, as usual, and some fine rides in the Malmedy, St. Vith area. Funny weather, with a cool temperature and intermittent showers.
On my way back I was in a bit of a hurry to get home, as I was missing my family, and wanted to get home before bedtime of my little girl. My wife also had the kids to herself all weekend, which is very tiring right now. (our little girl is 2 and the baby just 7 weeks). Just before Eindhoven the back end of the bike suddenly felt very wobbly, and I pulled over to the side of the road as soon as possible. Turns out the back tyre had deflated completely, and had two holes in it. In one of the holes a piece of metal was still stuck, the other was quite large. This was most unfortunate as it was still raining, and it was still about 150km from home for me. So I had no choice but to have the bike towed away, and I undertook the long trek home via bus/train/tram. When I finally arrived home I was tired and shaken from the experience, my wife was tired from baby-minding, so it was hardly the rejuvenating break it was supposed to be.
Looking back, at least I now know what happens when the tyre deflates while you are at speed. It is a bit scary to think what would have happened if it was in a bend or the wobblies were worse and I could not reach the side of the road safely. In hindsight I should also have been more conscientous in checking the tyres for foreign objects and controlling the pressure more dilligently. As Christian noted later, he thought the pressure on my back tyre looked a bit low all through the weekend. Lessons have to be learned the hard way, that way we remember them better. I am just grateful that this lesson only cost me some money and time, and nothing else.
