tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post8764099441668353075..comments2023-12-28T21:22:10.935-07:00Comments on Jill Outside: Flat disasterJill Homerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02983065990450931943noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-56338179999453400362007-12-02T06:58:00.000-07:002007-12-02T06:58:00.000-07:00I think living in remote areas definitely would ma...I think living in remote areas definitely would make me more likely to offer help. Honestly, here in NC if someone is walking a bike down the road they just have a long boring walk ahead of them, or at least a walk to the next house. If I drove by someone in remote AK I would certainly be thinking "wow...he/she could die out here!".Krishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17021256541935663071noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-39695249582484325112007-12-01T03:03:00.000-07:002007-12-01T03:03:00.000-07:00I agree that it was great seredipity to meet Rebec...I agree that it was great seredipity to meet Rebecca. She and I meshed really well. It's wonderful when bad situations work out so well. But I'm surprised how often people stop to help here in Juneau. I think there may be comradery in living in an isolated outcropping of civilization. We feel like we're all in it together.<BR/><BR/>And thanks for all the good advice on the tube situation. Full-sized pump, check. I actually carried the little one because it fits right inside my coat, which is where I've been advised to keep important plastic things that I don't want to break (not that it would break in temperatures in the 20s, but I was testing how it felt.) Anyway, I should probably start carrying the little one in my coat and a full-sized one in my camelpack. And maybe more than one tube. Probably worth it. It sucks being stranded by a flat tire.<BR/><BR/>I actually did read To Build A Fire, once, back in high school. I'll have to refresh sometime soon.<BR/><BR/>Mzungu, interesting thoughts. I have never before heard of a sleeping pad actually breaking. I'm really hoping to use an air matteress, which may cause some of its own problems. I continue to research gear.<BR/><BR/>As for your other questions, PBJ sandwiches taste great frozen. The spaces next to my skin and probably for more important things like a lighter and bike pump, but I'm sure I'll stuff cliff bars below my coat as well.<BR/><BR/>I also need to learn how to change a tube in gloves, pump up the tire, feed myself and set up camp. I still need a lot of practice.Jill Homerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02983065990450931943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-69050646721185276262007-11-30T23:25:00.000-07:002007-11-30T23:25:00.000-07:00Another ageement to change to Topeak Morph Pump bu...Another ageement to change to Topeak Morph Pump but get the mountain version. I broke too many valves on pumps without flexible hoses, and they pump faster. Fast enough that I could do away with the big floor pump at home.<BR/><BR/>Long ago I spent a winter in central Alaska. Two weeks it was -40. I had several problems. <BR/>1.The sleeping pad froze stiff and broke unrolling it. 2.Sandwhiches froze unless next to skin. 3.taking gloves off to do something you only have a minute or so. What your plans for that?MzunguErikihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11798367115574846469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-48341460979688863412007-11-30T20:30:00.000-07:002007-11-30T20:30:00.000-07:00I agree with Vik - I have that topeak pump and it ...I agree with Vik - I have that topeak pump and it saved my ass in remote western australia after so many flats. Being able to use that pump on the ground makes a world of difference.Janhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08715647945734197748noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-10767543914440704912007-11-30T18:37:00.000-07:002007-11-30T18:37:00.000-07:00You can download "To Build a Fire" onto your iPod ...You can download "To Build a Fire" onto your iPod from iTunes. I use this to teach it to my class. Cool story.DV8https://www.blogger.com/profile/02624076571529977757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-62370705464949269772007-11-30T15:56:00.000-07:002007-11-30T15:56:00.000-07:00when you bring a stove its really easy to start fi...when you bring a stove its really easy to start fires, even just for fun... the cops love it.Erichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04565341440837608907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-82385800507962882692007-11-30T15:11:00.000-07:002007-11-30T15:11:00.000-07:00I have a wheel that likes to do that to my tubes, ...I have a wheel that likes to do that to my tubes, and the edge doesn't seem particularly sharp. Sharp enough though, obviously, so what I did was tape some electrical tape over the hole in the rim (on the inside, over the rim tape), then just punched the valve through the hole. The electrical tape gets pushed in, coating the edges, so more popped tubes. Has worked really well.<BR/><BR/>Good luck!<BR/>-FonkFonkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04504462046067745769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-12635574825293764392007-11-30T14:29:00.000-07:002007-11-30T14:29:00.000-07:00I'm pretty shocked that you haven't read "To Build...I'm pretty shocked that you haven't read "To Build a Fire." Definitely a must.Dianahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01073080246593042144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-66619456883198379032007-11-30T13:17:00.000-07:002007-11-30T13:17:00.000-07:00It appears you are running presta tubes. Be sure ...It appears you are running presta tubes. Be sure you use the nut that comes with the tube. This helps the valve stem not move around while pumping. The rubber reducers work well if rims drilled for Schrader.<BR/><BR/>I'd also opt for a larger pump. Whats a few more ounces. <BR/><BR/>Keep up the good work!!!!bobikeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16330769675270173745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-78394565250820331792007-11-30T11:26:00.000-07:002007-11-30T11:26:00.000-07:00Jill, Lots of good advice on here. I also have hor...Jill, <BR/><BR/>Lots of good advice on here. I also have horizontal drops on my Surly KM. If you position the brake caliper perfectly, you can pull the wheel out without loosening the bolts. However as one person said. The caliper does not need to come off it just needs to be loosened a tiny bit so it can slide around. <BR/><BR/>There are some mini pumps that "act like" a floor pump. They work very well. I would not trust CO2 in extreme conditions, PERIOD. I would carry two pumps on a ultra-experience. I have had mini pumps break many times. <BR/><BR/>Awesome learning experience!! You do a great job of staying positive. <BR/><BR/>PeaceExtrmTaohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16136448849395271797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-56740263680251942682007-11-30T08:41:00.000-07:002007-11-30T08:41:00.000-07:00You are less likely to flat on snow, but I heard t...You are less likely to flat on snow, but I heard tubes can freeze in extreme cold. Motorcycle tubes might work. <BR/>Shifting the rear derailuer to the smallest cog helps when removeing the rear wheel. The caliber bolts do not need to come out just loosened enough to move the caliber. Probably a blessing in disguise. Good leanring experience.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-38629211739105407602007-11-30T07:50:00.000-07:002007-11-30T07:50:00.000-07:00What a great experience! I dare say I'd never exp...What a great experience! I dare say I'd never experience that kind of hospitality down here in Georgia. I'm sorry your camping trip didn't work out as planned, but you definitely had some awesome karma wafting your way.Jeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01721717255965945309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-81954307120005149322007-11-30T06:27:00.000-07:002007-11-30T06:27:00.000-07:00Alaskans are special because of stories like that!...Alaskans are special because of stories like that! I love it! Cool.AMIEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16100337173745210495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-51372343613120721122007-11-30T05:36:00.000-07:002007-11-30T05:36:00.000-07:00Just another idea and not one I have tried on a Pu...Just another idea and not one I have tried on a Pugsley so YMMV.<BR/><BR/>A thin coating of talc on the tube stops it getting dragged round with the tyre if the bead slips and helps avoid ripped valves.<BR/><BR/>Running Presta valves in Schrader drilled rims with the little rubber reducers also works well...not sure if you can get presta Endomorph tubes though!<BR/><BR/>AlexAlexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18071921034352041592noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-66772549802901029502007-11-29T20:28:00.000-07:002007-11-29T20:28:00.000-07:00Too bad your night didn't go better but it'll make...Too bad your night didn't go better but it'll make you more prepared when it really matters.UltraRobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00668877846125357272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-8281109343596619452007-11-29T19:36:00.000-07:002007-11-29T19:36:00.000-07:00Telford has a great point about damaging the valve...Telford has a great point about damaging the valve stem when using pumps that attach directly to the stem. Especially with a tube the size of the Puglsley's. I use Topeak Roadmorph pumps because they have a long flexible tube that attaches to the valve stem and you won't damage the tube when you use this pump.<BR/><BR/>http://www.rei.com/product/648089<BR/><BR/>Sounds like things turned out okay and you had a good time despite the set backs.Vikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07214932277372519931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-28402256736031278062007-11-29T19:18:00.000-07:002007-11-29T19:18:00.000-07:00When you use a small hand pump, you have to be esp...When you use a small hand pump, you have to be especially careful not to pull on the valve as you're pumping. As you pump, the valve basically gets pulled against the hole and cut. Use a floor pump at home, and as someone else suggested, get a full size, high volume frame pump that delivers more air per stroke when riding. The other thing that may be causing this is the tire/tube are slipping on the rim. I've seen loose beads run at low pressures do this. The tire/tube turns independent of the rim and cuts the valve. The solution is to apply some tubular glue or contact cement to one (and only one) bead to prevent slippage (make sure you remember which bead is glued and change tubes by removing the other bead).Telfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13663524805386146018noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-33674087384072340202007-11-29T19:05:00.000-07:002007-11-29T19:05:00.000-07:00Jill, you should learn how to build a fire, and I'...Jill, you should learn how to build a fire, and I'm sure that all of your 2N friends would be more than happy to teach you how - however Craig may be the closest one to actually do so. And I looked at your assortment of power bars. You need to try Lara bar and your life will be transformed. <BR/><BR/>MonikaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-14235302222960477742007-11-29T18:05:00.000-07:002007-11-29T18:05:00.000-07:00That reminds me, I need to practice taking my Endo...That reminds me, I need to practice taking my Endomorphs off and putting them back on. <BR/><BR/>Concerning the vertical drop-outs. I contacted Surly to find out what kind of brake caliper mount I needed to buy because I couldn't get my wheel off without loosening up the caliper. I discovered what you did, I have the right mount, but I still need to loosen the caliper everytime I want to remove the rear wheel. I love my Pugsley, but it's those moments when I covet Dave Byer's Wildfire with it's "normal" drop-outs.<BR/><BR/>Sounds like it wasn't the trip you had planned, but was a valuable and injury free learning experience.Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09090802854306112252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-65797512920554204272007-11-29T17:51:00.000-07:002007-11-29T17:51:00.000-07:00It occurs to me that I always seem to meet the mos...It occurs to me that I always seem to meet the most amazing people when I'm on my bike, stranded or not. Thanks for the reminder!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16454646736540616222noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-40978743128974788732007-11-29T17:00:00.000-07:002007-11-29T17:00:00.000-07:00What would MacGyver have done?What would MacGyver have done?rocking R rusticshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15173461420385700988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-62279448050461784302007-11-29T16:32:00.000-07:002007-11-29T16:32:00.000-07:00That Rebecca is amazingly nice. So not everyone wh...That Rebecca is amazingly nice. So not everyone who picks up hitchhikers is the Zodiac, eh?Eclectchickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14378678427426158365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-61580452717496422972007-11-29T15:49:00.000-07:002007-11-29T15:49:00.000-07:00Good for Rebecca, and good for you too. A new frie...Good for Rebecca, and good for you too. A new friend is worth a lot of flats. <BR/><BR/>Was it John Waters or John Travolta?<BR/><BR/>I like them both.Juanchohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01283672346601878803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-70005534730154189242007-11-29T14:45:00.000-07:002007-11-29T14:45:00.000-07:00I've lost a bolt in the past on my surly because o...I've lost a bolt in the past on my surly because of the brake arrangement.<BR/><BR/>I'm not sure what happened to the tube, but have a look around the valve hole and see if there's a sharp edge.<BR/><BR/>You could try fitting a small peice of old tube with a hole in it over the valve before you put it though the rim so there's extra rubber there.<BR/><BR/>And, finally, you're carrying a shed load of kit already, perhaps you could get a proper sized pump, which would make pumping up tyres about 3x quicker, or co2 cartridges *not sure how they'd work in sub zero temps though*<BR/><BR/>When's your next attempt?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com