What’s in that little bag?
Each day when I set people up for rentals, I get many questions. They are across the spectrum: Can I try a different helmet? Will you lower my seat height? Will you install a Garmin mount? How do the gears work? Depending on who is asking, I may offer a different answer.
One question that I get often as someone points to the saddle bag is “What is in this bag?” If it an experienced cyclist, they are making sure that they have everything they need if they run into trouble. If it is a casual rider, they’re often wondering if they can take the stuff out so that they can put their cell phone and personal items in.
When i tell them the answer, I can often see so much in how their eyes react. “The saddle bag has everything you need if you were to get a flat tire. The tube, levers and co2 canister/pump are wrapped in plastic so that we know everything is there. Hopefully you won’t have to unwrap the plastic because you won’t get a flat. But if you do, please let us know.” If someone’s head nods and eyes look comforted, they are experienced with changing flats and are glad to have this answer. If their eyes go wide, this often tells me they have little experience and I know I have to offer “It’s unlikely to happen and if it does, call us and we can send you a YouTube video that will help.”
I was on tour last month with a group of five Canadians. Some were experienced road cyclists, while others were on the e-touring bikes because it had been a longtime since they rode. When they asked this question, some nodded and some went wide eyed. One admitted “When I get a flat in Toronto I just call Uber.” Since I was guiding them I could offer, “Well that’s why you have me there. You’re paying for the guide so that I can change your flats.” We all laughed.
We rode two days together and over 150km. With about 10km left on our second day of riding, I heard that familiar sound of air coming out of a tire… it was MY TIRE!!! So funny that I should be the one to get a flat. “But I don’t know how to change it.” “Time to call Uber.” My funny Canadians started with their jokes. We found a shady spot and I comforted them that I would get it done. None of them tried to help - which was perfect because I KNOW WHAT I’M DOING BABY 💪. But, they did have one million questions along the way. They thought this was the perfect time to learn how to do it. Somehow, in that hot afternoon heat, I managed to hold myself together, change the tire, and answer two dozen questions about what I was doing. AND, I did it in about 7 minutes. I was on absolute fire. I nailed the co2 cartridge, which always makes me a little nervous - don’t want to mess that up…
It was so much fun to teach these guys, show off my skills and then get moving again without any significant hitch. It doesn’t always work out that way…. Sometime I’ll tell you about another flat on tour that taught me an excellent lesson. But for now I’ll bask in this success and my fun group of Canadians 🇨🇦 cheering me on with their faith in me and desire to learn. No Ubers sir! No Ubers necessary.
