I HATE THIS FUCKING COMPUTER AND THE SOFTWARE CHANGES AND THE FUCKING PROGRAMMERS. Time is to be cherished, not wasted for computer response. My temper stops just short of turning this thing into smashed bits.
But that is not what is size connected. Maybe my oversized temper.
For several days my rear tire loss air overnight. I looked over the tire looking for the tell tale white substance from Stan’s leaking out to seal a puncture. Past problems have been because of a gunked up valve core. I check tire pressure before each ride, the rear is usually about 1 pound light. After a recent ride I checked the pressure and it was still the 20 psi I started out with. Yesterday I parked at Skyliners’ lodge to ride my South Fork loop. I did have to add some air. Again, looking over the tire I saw now Stan’s leakage. I pedaled up and away. Today there were an abundance of riders to share the trails with. How dry are the trails? Foot steps poof up dust calf. riders ahead create a dust plume. I made the road section and just pedaled, I passed several groups of riders to be ahead of their pace and dust. At Swede shelter I took SST heading to Swampy and start of S Fork. After a fun coast as fast and far as I can then start pedaling I heard a phsst, once, then again, then again. Shit, that sounds like air excaping a tire, only one there was either my front or back tire. Only way to ascertain the source was to stop and spin the wheels. I found a wet spot between the knobs on my rear tire, just 300 miles worn. Stan’s was spitting out, the hole was too large for sealing. Ah, OK, when visiting Durango Cyclery I bought a Stan’s Dart plug device. I have this covered. At the puncture site I forced the Dart tip in but failed to make the dart go into the tire. The device has a second dart which I tried again with same lack of success, seemed the nose of the dart, while small, was not small enough to enter the puncture. Hence the blog title. Next up on solution list was to install a tube. I pulled out the tube, a tire iron, multitool, and pump to begin the install. Way lot of work to install a tube. I thought that I could pump up the tire and orient the wheel so the hole was at the ground which would allow Stan’s access to the hole and hopefully seal it. I waited a short bit then looked at the tire. No Stan’s, temporary, perhaps permanent fix. South Fork is a chunky ride with lots of suspension hits that I feared would blow out the clot so I would be asking for a flat tire. I turned around and rode back to Swede shelter then rode Sector 16 and Skyliners back to van while the tire held air. I had forgotten Sector 16 as it is a shuttle route and I avoid it for that reason and it had been years since I rode down Skyliners. I did like these 2 trails but not as well as S Fork. I bought a dart refill package at Sunnyside. I explained what happened that I could not get the nose of the dart into the hole, I asked for tech assistance and he also could not poke the nose in.
This morning the tire is still holding air although I do not know what pressure. The sealant is a bandaid that might be permanent, at least it will not grow in size. I will add more Stan’s and always carry a pump. I will defer purchasing a new $85 tire until such time the present tire leaks enough pressure on a ride to have to pump up the tire. Very hard to throw away a very new tire and spend $ for new one.
Today’s PT session diagnosed hip problem caused by lack of muscle strength and muscle tightness. I was told to do exercises and stretches and I will be fine.
Today was a rest day.
Freehub Mag told me film will be released after July.
I am thinking of returning to living on the road life next week, where I go is determined by fires and or smoke but looking north to central WA then east