I HATE MY LIFE!!!

[Sailor Steve]

I thought about posting this in the 'Subsim Members' thread, but finally decided that if I made a new thread it would disappear faster. But for now I have to rant.

After months of thinking about it I finally settled on the bicycle I wanted. So after paying my monthly storage (I still haven't been able to get my stuff to my new apartment) I headed for Wal*Mart (tm) just to look and see if it was really the one I wanted. I planned to order it online and assemble it myself. I took it off the rack and tested it, and it was just what I wanted. When they say they'll assemble it for you, it doesn't mean they'll open a box and assemble it, please come back tomorrow. They mean the one on the rack is the one they have, and you can take it now.

So after a few adjustments and a new helmet, I set out to ride my brand-new bike home. Nine miles. After a mile I had to rest. After two miles I got off and walked a block. After three miles I got off and walked another block. After four miles (almost halfway) I got off and walked another block. I got on to ride the next mile and something was wrong. So I got off and looked, and halfway home my brand-new bike had a FLAT TIRE! Arrrggg!!!

So I walked to a gas station to see if it was just a glitch, and they now want $1 just to run the air pump! So I walked my brand-new bike to the bus stop and took the bus home. Of course from the last stop on that route I still had to push it a mile-and-a-half.

So now I have a very nice toy sitting in my living room.



It's a "Comfort Bike" - independent front and rear suspension, nice padded seat with its own suspension, adjustable handlebars so I don't have to sit hunched over, road tires rather than knobbies, but fatter than race tires. Only seven speeds, but I'm not going to be climbing any serious hills, just around the streets and ultimately to band practice (seven mile each way).

BUT I CAN'T RIDE IT! Tomorrow I had plans, but now I'll be pulling off the rear wheel (the one with the extra stuff so it's harder) and trying to fix it, which will mean a trip to a bike shop for either a patch kit or a new tube. Aaarrggh!

[Flaxpants]

Nice bike! I'm sure your endurance levels will increase pretty quickly if you use it regularly- you might not have to walk the odd block anymore! Later when you get fitter you should be able to manage your guitar and amp as well.

I wouldn't worry about the tyre too much- it's only flat on the bottom.

[Feuer Frei!]

Nice bike Steve!
Flat tyres come and go, but the enjoyment of riding a bike will stay with you forever.

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by Flaxpants

I wouldn't worry about the tyre too much- it's only flat on the bottom.

And it's some sort of evil juju magic too - no matter which way I roll it the flat spot moves around to stay on the bottom. Now I'm going to have to find an exorcist as well!

[Flaxpants]

Well it's not an issue now as I fixed it for you.

That'll be 3 dollars.

[gimpy117]

new tubes are pretty easy to buy. go to your local bike shop. even better, just take the rear wheel with you. they can do it pretty fast. Blown plenty of tubes on my road bike.

[Reece]

I once had an 80cc motorcycle (first motorbike) and the chain broke, I was about 25 miles from home and the nearest town was 6 miles away, I wasn't going to abandon it so I pushed it up and down hills for the 6 miles and left it at a petrol station, the owner was quite ok about it, then I had to continue the walk home, thank goodness I was young and although pooped got home OK! but stuffed!
I wouldn't try it now but I still go on hikes covering 10 miles or so!
BTW, I still change my BMW motorcycle tyres by hand and balance them!

I HATE MY LIFE!!!

I felt that way when I started horse riding again, not only did I get thrown but next day my legs would hardly move.
One comment though.......
As you say its only for round the roads is the suspension just extra weight?

Blown plenty of tubes on my road bike.

Carrying a spare tube in the bike bag is always a good idea.

[THE_MASK]

When i was a teen every kid had a tyre patch kit . Every shop had a pinball machine . They were the days .

[Herr-Berbunch]

Phew, thought it was something serious then!

You may want to invest in some puncture-resistant tyres if you're to rely on not walking a 14 mile round trip, although if you got a puncture closer to home you wouldn't then walk the 14 miles you'd get the bus!

[Torplexed]

It's Drebbel's fault. He wanted to sabotage your pursuit (and bill collection) vehicle.

[Jimbuna]

I'd be asking Drebbel to get you one of these....I never tried one personally whilst residing in Holland but they are very popular

[Penguin]

I have a cheap China-made beachcruiser knockoff and had exactly the same issues with the tires and the tubes. The best is to get at least some quality tubes from a local bike shop, your nerves will thank you.

The masterminds of German engineering have of course a solution to your problem: they developed tires which will never go flat and also improve your safety:

[AVGWarhawk]

Originally Posted by Penguin

I have a cheap China-made beachcruiser knockoff and had exactly the same issues with the tires and the tubes. The best is to get at least some quality tubes from a local bike shop, your nerves will thank you.

The masterminds of German engineering have of course a solution to your problem: they developed tires which will never go flat and also improve your safety:

[frau kaleun]

Don't forget he's still got to make some special "personal" modifications...