Neil Fein's Blog

I was riding my bicycle west on Route 27 towards Kingston, and suddenly heard the rear tire blow out. As it happens, I'm right across the street from a service station that was so kind to fill up a slow leak for me in the past. I pull into their lot and get my tools out.

After changing the tube, I got the wheel back on the bike and saw a rip in the sidewall. The tube was bulging out just enough that I knew it wouldn't last for all that long. I called my wife and asked her to pick me up and started riding home. About 4 miles later, a car made a left out of oncoming traffic right in front of me.

Traffic was pretty packed and moving slowly, so I didn't have nearly enough time to react. I ended up half-sprawled on the hood of the car, my feet just barely off the ground. I was able to stand and pull my bike out the van's wheel well; I waved the couple in the car to the parking lot they were heading for originally.

The couple was obviously concerned about me. Aside from a few contusions on my face, I felt fine for the most part. Adrenaline and all, I assume.

Martha drove up a few minutes later, expecting to see a bike with a tire about to blow out. My front fork was twisted beyond repair as well as the front rim.

At the Robert Wood Johnson ER, they gave me meds for my achy shoulder and upper arm, telling me I didn't look like I had a concussion. The nurse on duty was funny! My LBS agreed with my assumption that the frame is toast.

Labels: bicycle, ouchie