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Fix a Flat Tire--Fast (& Cheap)!
As each season gets underway in January and February, the HarperRide has the feel of a "club run" versus a training race. If a rider flats or must answer the call of nature, the whole group stops. Once March rolls around, all bets are off, and riders who flat are typically left to their own devices. Thus, a HarperRide cyclist must be able to get himself or herself home. Luckily, thanks to Andy's own misfortune, we watched an expert change his own flat tire--fast and cheap. (These tips are for clincher tires. Don't train on tubulars. You'll regret it!)
1. Take the wheel off of the bike. If it is a rear wheel, be certain to shift to the smallest cog on your casette before taking off the wheel. This will make it much easier to change their rear wheel. (This is also an important tip when you flat in a race. Shift to the small cog before the wheel change!)
2. Take the tire off the rim ON ONE SIDE ONLY. This will save you time. Use a good tire lever in order to pop the tire's bead off of one small section. Then, drag the tire lever around the rim. Finally, pull the tube out of the rim leaving the tire mounted on one side.

3. AFTER checking the inside of the tire to make sure that there are no major cuts and that there is no glass or sharp stones coming through the inside of the tire, place the new tube into the tire all the way around the rim. Notice in the picture to the right that Andy is saving money by using a tire that he had previously patched. You can do this. It will save you some money... if it does not cause another flat.
4. Beginning near the valve, reinsert the tire's bead that is out of the rim. (Be sure that the valve stem is seated straight through the valve stem hole in the rim.) Like Andy, work around the rim at an equal pace until your hands meet back in the middle--directly opposite the valve stem. Whatever you do, do not use a tire lever to re-mount the tire's bead.

While it is no fun to flat, these tips will allow you to do it quickly, successfully, and maybe even cheap--especially if you also use a patched tube instead of a new one! Of course, if you flat on the HarperRide, there are always those shortcuts in order to catch the group once again!