Today provided perfect riding conditions, as evidenced by the heavy frost, the hot air balloon drifting south after take off, fresh snow on the Tararuas, and beautiful warm winter sun. The best weather conditions for at least a month or so.
However, I didn't ride today, even though I had found my "long johns" which for me are a HQ version of "skins". (Mental note: add skins to the "new wardrobe") I went to change the tyre (after using the pliers unsuccessfully to adjust the valve) and struck the same problem I did last time a few months ago. It's like doing a fricken rubics cube as far as I am concerned. The tyre goes round the wheel and then there is about 2-3 cm extra no matter how hard I try - and I have tried until I am tired!
I'll take the wheel to the bike shop on Monday or Tuesday (probably in the Hutt, in which case I'll go to the Hutt LM and take my boxing gloves, so that will be good). I was going to go in any case to buy a proper floor pump. Hopefully if I go at a quiet time I can ask one of the guys to show me what I am doing wrong. Last time I took it to Penny Farthing and the guy just made it fit. All good but not if I can't do it myself!
I find this frustrating, because I can change a tyre on a car, easily. Also, it doesn't hold much prospect if I can't change a tyre in the confines of my own home, then I'll be completely "stuffed" on the road.
I really do need to be able to change a tyre. I just need to persist until I can - this is where "do not let this beat you" applies :-) at least in a maintenance sense.
*Oh well*, I've missed a perfect day for riding, but on the plus side this tyre thing accelerates the fact I do need to upskill in this area a little quicker than I have, and it's a perfect day for gardening which will be very pleasant.
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