Week 4 Bike - Tire Changing & 56 Bike Path

The cool thing about Team In Training is that they not only train you for the race you're going to run, but also prepare you to handle any obstacles that might get in your way - like a flat tire on your bike. Yesterday was the tire changing clinic. I aced the front tire removal and and attachment portion - I need to do that to get the bike in and out of my car, so I have lots of practice. I also did pretty well at the rear tire removal and attachment. I had some issues with the tire changing though - mostly because I didn't have the right equipment. Now I know what I need to get, so I'll be visiting a bike shop soon for a speed lever and CO2 pump. The basic drill is tire comes off, tube comes out, new tube goes in, tire goes back on. Even though I'm now trained in the art of tire changing, I'm really hoping for no flats during the race. With my slow ass swim time, I can't afford any extra time on the bike if I want to make the cut and cross the finish line.

I didn't ride with the team yesterday after the tire changing clinic, so I rode this morning on the 56 bike path. I had a few "major"successes along the way. First, I rode down Carmel Country Road, which is pretty much straight down. My hands hurt so bad from pumping the brakes the entire ride down, but I'm still terrified of hills (well, it's the speed that terrifies me, not the hills - specifically, the thought of being thrown from the bike at 50 mph and being hurled through the air onto the windshield of an oncoming car) So, I made it down the hill. (Success #1) Then I found the bike path entrance and rode along there through the houses. Instead of turning up onto the main bike path I found an area of the path that deadends that was perfect for practicing my water bottle handling skills. I have never had the nerve to reach down, grab my water bottle, take a drink and put it back while I'm riding. I always wait until I stop. So, today was the big day. The first time, I reached down and grabbed the water bottle but then had to quickly grab the handlebars before I crashed into a big bush. I was riding the bike with both hands and holding the bottle at the same time. Once I regained control I took a drink and then after a few attempts got the bottle back in the holder. Attempt #2 was much smoother - I grabbed the bottle, took a drink and replaced the bottle without losing control of the bike or too much speed - success! (#2) So feeling confident I rode back onto the main bike path. I rode for about another 45 minutes and then turned around to head home. On the ride home, I decided to try my water bottle trick again, I grabbed the bottle, took a drink and put the bottle back, except that I missed the water bottle holder and my bottle was now on the side of the rode. I had to get off the bike and retrieve the water bottle before I could continue home. Thank God for the 56 bike path - I am a menace on the road! So, on the ride back I decided there was no way I could ride back up the hill on Carmel Country Road. I decided on El Camino Real instead. I took the bike path to El Camino Real and then rode up that hill. Success #3! Overall I felt pretty good on the bike today. Week 5 starts with swimming tomorrow night - my favorite!