I’ve been biking to and from work since a few weeks after starting. It’s about 16km each way so I know I should be somewhat equipped with tools and replacement parts in case something breaks. My to-do list for a while: get tools, patches, inner tubes, a small pump, and a nice little kit to store it all on my bike to always be prepared. Also - learn how to use all of that. Maybe I’ve been avoiding this learning part.

But then this morning, halfway to work, I’m riding along a path that runs under and then onto a bridge going into Richmond. I see a few small boulders on the path ahead and a litter of beer cans. Kids :P It makes me think about my to-do list again, “maybe I’ll do that this weekend…”, and I kid you not, 5 seconds later I hear “ptfffffffffffffffffftt”.

Luckily a bus stop was near and I got to work but I’m currently feeling a little bad for my bike. I’m probably not taking care of it as well as I should. It does so much for me, carries me so far, and then I come home complaining how tired I am and leave it hanging in the basement to only get attention next time I need it to take me somewhere.

Now I have learned and I will try to learn how to take better care of my bike. A coworker gave me a very useful crash course on bike tires and how to fix them. Already understand so much more and I’m excited to get home (but not the taking a bus part) and try fixing my tire!