learning curve
Optimism is essential!
Welcome to 2022! I began the new year like many others, brimming with enthusiasm about everything I’m hoping to achieve, and resolute that this year will be much better than the last. I’d say that’s a common feeling each year, but the previous two years have presented their own challenges with the whole global pandemic issue, meaning that bettering them feels easily achievable.
Whilst covid continues to cast it’s shadow I’m cautious with planning, knowing that things could be cancelled at short notice, but at the same time, also wanting to make the most of things whilst we’re able.
The air of optimism that comes with the start of a new year is influential enough to encourage me, and countless others, to go outside on January 1st and do something ‘outdoorsy’. What is with that?! On most other freezing cold, probably going to rain, windy days of the year I’m happy to find entertainment indoors, by a fire or other heat source and preferably with cake and tea.
That ‘fresh start’ vigour is something that strikes around my birthday too. Becoming a year older always makes me reflect on what I’ve managed to cram into the previous year of my life and what else I'd like to squeeze in before I die! I’m reminded on a frequent basis just how unpredictable life can be which has the effect of a full throttle energy towards that bucket list.
There was no New Year's Day dash into the icy cold sea for me! I’d opted for my first solo ride on the road (making the most of the lack of traffic) out to meet up with family and have my first piece of cake of the year at the cafe. It’s nice to have a cake and tea incentive when it’s so cold.
The route out was one that held a sad memory. I’d struggled to walk it the last time I'd visited and couldn’t keep up with the kids. It was another location that hammered home the progression of my condition and left me feeling angry and robbed of adventures. A wonderfully inspirational woman on Instagram had reminded me that it’s possible, if not almost mandatory! to go back and create a new memory to replace it, swap the bad for the good. Now I'm not saying it’s a quick fix, you might have to go back a few times to bring it back to a happy place, but I rode out on the roads before gliding through that trail and felt like I was standing ten feet tall. Not in the least bit embarrassed to let you know I had a little teary eye moment!
After a very enjoyable ride around the other trails at the destination I decided to do a bit of a smug victory ride down the hill. Almost on cue I get swiftly brought down from cloud nine, I could even hear the rushing sound of air to accompany it as my front tyre was punctured!!!
The front wheel is the most difficult one to fix on the XCR. You can’t get the tyre off without taking the wheel off. You can’t turn the bike upside down like a standard bike and you certainly can’t fix the bike with the paltry kit bag I'd deemed sufficient for the days ride. Lots of lessons to be learned here and lots of frustration which was remedied temporarily by a rescue from my other half who brought the van to grab me plus the bike and go for that tea and cake. He’s a keeper!
Sitting down next to the warm fire to enjoy the cake (chocolate brownie as it’s the go-to coeliac option) I felt a pang of incompetence. It was a blow to my self-esteem that I knew very little about how to fix the problem. When the husband gets a puncture, he can sort it out and be on his way. I know it’s not as simple as that with the XCR. He said he’d have needed a rescue too given the lack of right kit and awkwardness of the front wheel. He suggested we wait for the bike guy to get back from his holiday and get him to look at it. Another dose of ineptitude to tip the balance and cause me to want to fix the situation. Yes, I’d got myself booked onto a bike maintenance course in a few weeks' time, but the best part of my day was achieving the ride out here and I didn’t want to let that ‘I can do this’ feeling go.
Equipped with YouTube, google, the required tools and a husband to help with the lifting I set about fixing the puncture. I’d forgotten about having put on my favorite jumper for warmth before beginning the task and consequently I now have oil stains on it. Normally I’d have been upset if I'd have spilt something on the jumper, but these stains feel like my badge of honour! It took hours!!! I did something I’d promised myself I’d never do which was get grumpy with my kid for holding the torch in the wrong place! I’ve got memories of my dad telling me off for not pointing the torch the right way. Sorry Dad! I now know how frustrating that is! Sorry to my darling daughter for barking at you, your help was much appreciated x.
A few notes:
Wrong inner tubes: just because it’s got 26 inch wheels that doesn’t mean every 26 inch inner tube will work, who knew eh! Must now only buy Presta valve!
Seat pad: This makes a great knee cushion
Work stand: If you’d built this when you intended to then the husband wouldn’t have had to stand holding the bike up. Build that stand!
Photos: keep taking photos as you do things, it really helped when piecing it back together.
I need to remember not to be so hard on myself for not knowing things or needing help. This lesson in bike maintenance was timely and very much appreciated. Better to have had a puncture when help was at hand, and I was easy to reach. I got more from the day in terms of accomplishment than I could have anticipated. I’m not glad of the puncture as I was really enjoying the ride, but I’m very pleased to have fixed the problem and learned a lot. I’ll wear my stained jumper with pride and a renewed awareness of ‘The more you know, the more you realise you don’t know’, I've a lot to learn!
I look forward to the bike maintenance course and being a bit more informed for the future.
I went back a few days later to attempt the route again and I did it, there and back! I avoided any smug victory rides down the big hill as I didn’t want to tempt fate! I think the cake tasted a little sweeter this time though!
