two hundred fifty nine

THE TIRE PUMP

4295 miles without a functioning tire pump, sounds foolish, but I did it. 

My trip from San Francisco to Maine started in the early spring of 2008. Some of the mountain passes were still closed so I had to be creative and take a few detours. I traveled alone through Nevada on the what they call the "Loneliest Highway", highway 50. I traveled alone through the corn and wheat fields of the plain states, countless urban streets and highways, back roads and bike paths all of the way to the Atlantic coast. Day after day, week after week I rolled across rocks, potholes, broken glass, wire, scrap metal and random  pieces of sharp junk. Through all of this I thought my trusty frame pump was at the ready. 

I had never taken even a short ride without a tire pump, tools, a patch kit and extra tube. In fact I secretly mocked stranded riders who weren't prepared. I would always stop to help them, many times giving them a new tire tube. We would small talk while I fixed their flat tire, then shake hands, then I would give them a smug (you're an idiot) smile as I waved goodbye. Yes I can be a pompous ass, but they got a new tube and maybe a lesson.  

It is hard to believe 4295 miles without one flat tire. A few times I did top the pressures off at a bike shop using their floor pump, but no on the road flats requiring the use of my pump. If you ride bicycles you know how rare this is, because flat tires are just the price you pay for having fun. No one enjoys fiddling with bike tire tools chains and pumps. Rear flat tires are the most common for some reason and if you are loaded you have to remove panniers and the bike chain. After weeks on the road your chain and everything is covered with grit and grease so I always pack several sets of disposable gloves.

There are several types of tire pumps. One very light weight style is the one using  compressed air cartridges. I have used them but they are designed for road and mountain biking focused on getting you back home. I prefer a mechanical pump, they range in size and weight. I have had several sizes and types one was a  beautiful frame mounted pump that I hauled from coast to coast. Yes that is the one that didn't work. Every pump no matter how well made has a shelf life because the rubber gaskets over time break down and leak as mine did. Tire pumps are emergency equipment, they need to perform when we need them, they need to be periodically inspected serviced or replaced.

 Who knows when my pump was manufactured, how long it had been on the shelf in the bike shop and what did the months of Arizona desert heat do to it? I made the mistake of assuming it would always work.

A bike tire pump can be a matter of life and death depending on where and when you need it to work. At best a bad pump is a big inconvenience. There is no fool proof solution but we can improve the odds. Buy a quality pump that is well made and test it frequently. Oil breaks down rubber so never ever lubricate a pump. 

I found the Lezyne Micro with a built in tire gauge. It is light weight, well made and it looks cool. The pump can be easily maintained everything screws together no glued or welded parts. I am not sure if the parts can be replaced but you can inspect the condition of all of the rubber parts. The price is around $60 I think it is well worth the price. High performance tires require higher pressures 120 pounds per square inch or more this pump is rated to 160 PSI.

I can get cold chills thinking about what could have gone wrong not having a workable pump in the middle of Nevada. It was a good lesson once I discovered it on a day ride after I returned home. This is why I recommend taking a shakedown run before any long trip. Set up and use everything to make sure it works, you may be surprised what you find. I run 100 PSI in my rear tire when I am loaded and the Lezyne pump handles this very well. I have marked 100 PSI on the in line tire pressure gauge to make it easy for me to see. 

For peace of mind one option is packing a onetime use air cartridge pump they are compact and light weight, great for backup. Tire tools a patch kit and at least three new tubes are essential for touring. Some recomend bringing along a new collapsible tire. This may be vital for off road touring but loaded on road touring from city to city you can usually find a bike shop, a hardware store or even a Walmart to meet your needs. I have drilled my rims to accommodate Schrader valves if that is all I can find. There are tiny rubber inserts to accommodate the preferred Presta valve size just ask your bike shop.

Many times I have refer to learning things the hard way this is one hard lesson I learned the easy way. I am also  aware how very lucky I was.