This past weekend Marcin and I were given the opportunity to show and sell our products through Austin's Bicycle Sport Shop at the Danskin Triathlon. Instead of the expo, we were set up next to their mechanics in the transition area in the 10x10 retail tent.
It wasn't long before the women started showing up in droves to rack their bikes. As they came in, we got a lot of attention simply because we had the only tents in the transition area and most of the women wanted to have a final check done on their bikes. Having not worked next to the mechanics in a transition area the day before the race prior to that day, I was surprised to find that most competitors were unprepared for the race. Many had no means of hydration either, not owning a water bottle or cage to put it in. Many others needed bar end plugs which BSS happily supplied.
Things quickly turned from us showing our product to helping out the ever growing line of women heading to the mechanics with simple things. Things like putting air back in their tires after someone at the expo was telling them all to let the air out "because the tires would pop from sitting in the sun"! What? You're kidding me, right? We race on fully inflated tires on pavement that is bubbling up from the heat, with the friction of the tires on that melting pavement making it even hotter, and someone thinks that tires pop while just sitting there in the transition area?
Let's clarify. TIRES DON'T POP FROM AIR EXPANDING IN THEM IN HOT WEATHER. If this were the case there would be warnings on all tubes, tires and bicycles warning of imminent danger in hot weather. A warning might look like this: WARNING: DO NOT RIDE IN HOT WEATHER. AIR EXPANSION IN TIRE MAY CAUSE INNER TUBE FAILURE LEADING TO LOSS OF CONTROL AND SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
Have you ever seen a warning like this in the bicycle industry? Can you imagine the flurry of lawsuits such a failure would cause if this were a problem?
So what does cause tires to pop? Several things. One of which is old, dry rotted tubes. I can tell you I pumped up my share of tires that day, and there were quite a few that had old tires and wheels covered in cob webs. Incorrectly installed tubes that are twisted or caught in the bead can also add to the issue. I know that of all the thousands of bikes there, some are going to pop, and unfortunatly, I'm guessing the heat is still going to be blamed, and we, the heroes of the pit are going to be blamed for telling them different.
They say women are good communicators, this I can attest is true. However when given bad information it can truly cause a lot of havoc. The guys from Austin's Bicycle Sport Shop really stepped up, gave the correct information and pumped tires till they were sunburned and blue in the face.
It wasn't long before the women started showing up in droves to rack their bikes. As they came in, we got a lot of attention simply because we had the only tents in the transition area and most of the women wanted to have a final check done on their bikes. Having not worked next to the mechanics in a transition area the day before the race prior to that day, I was surprised to find that most competitors were unprepared for the race. Many had no means of hydration either, not owning a water bottle or cage to put it in. Many others needed bar end plugs which BSS happily supplied.
Things quickly turned from us showing our product to helping out the ever growing line of women heading to the mechanics with simple things. Things like putting air back in their tires after someone at the expo was telling them all to let the air out "because the tires would pop from sitting in the sun"! What? You're kidding me, right? We race on fully inflated tires on pavement that is bubbling up from the heat, with the friction of the tires on that melting pavement making it even hotter, and someone thinks that tires pop while just sitting there in the transition area?
Let's clarify. TIRES DON'T POP FROM AIR EXPANDING IN THEM IN HOT WEATHER. If this were the case there would be warnings on all tubes, tires and bicycles warning of imminent danger in hot weather. A warning might look like this: WARNING: DO NOT RIDE IN HOT WEATHER. AIR EXPANSION IN TIRE MAY CAUSE INNER TUBE FAILURE LEADING TO LOSS OF CONTROL AND SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
Have you ever seen a warning like this in the bicycle industry? Can you imagine the flurry of lawsuits such a failure would cause if this were a problem?
So what does cause tires to pop? Several things. One of which is old, dry rotted tubes. I can tell you I pumped up my share of tires that day, and there were quite a few that had old tires and wheels covered in cob webs. Incorrectly installed tubes that are twisted or caught in the bead can also add to the issue. I know that of all the thousands of bikes there, some are going to pop, and unfortunatly, I'm guessing the heat is still going to be blamed, and we, the heroes of the pit are going to be blamed for telling them different.
They say women are good communicators, this I can attest is true. However when given bad information it can truly cause a lot of havoc. The guys from Austin's Bicycle Sport Shop really stepped up, gave the correct information and pumped tires till they were sunburned and blue in the face.
This is Chris Carter. He was suppose to be doing retail.
Instead he's pumping hundreds of tires and getting a
"pumper's high". This guy must have lost 10 pounds
of water and a bit of skin from his hands as well.
Here is Chris after the event. Rest in peace Chris, rest in peace.
So remember boys and girls, don't let air out of your tires. If you must, at least wait until the race is over. Save those who have donated their time for your support from unneaded pumpers high. Pumpers high can kill. Just ask Chris.
Cheers!
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