Chicks that fix flats

Nope, no one had a flat during the ride.  For tonight's ride we met in the parking lot of the shopping center where Rock 'n Road Cyclery, Irvine is located.  Suzanne and Chris were on vacation and Stacy had to work late.  Becky, Karen, Pat and Theresa rode toward the old work building along the gentle grade on the back side of the Marine Base.  It was a great way to warm up.   Then we traveled along Alton and circled back around to Sand Canyon for a 13 mile ride.

Everyone did great riding on the road with quite a bit of traffic.  Awesome work managing lane changes through the freeway on-ramps.  We made it back to the shopping center and met up with Stacy to join the Rock 'n Road Divas for their awesome Fix a Flat clinic.

This was a free clinic held at Rock 'n Road Cyclery   There were about 15 women in attendance and our hosts did a fabulous job really breaking down the process for fixing a flat on a bicycle tire.  Then we broke up in groups and each had a chance to deflate, take out the tube, then replace the tube and pump back up.  As we had each brought our own wheels, the chicks all learned how to remove their front wheels so they could be brought into the store for practice on.

First Diva, Nicky showed the group how to deflate and remove the tube.

Diane explaining to Pat how to use the tire lever

Stacy listening intently

Karen working on her new tire

We won't say who wasn't paying attention and was too busy talking to notice that her tube was peaking out of her old tire as it was being inflated.  Everyone was entertained with a very loud pop!   We each received a hand-out that we could keep in our saddle bags for future reference.

Karen with the final push of the bead back on the rim.

All the trainers were encouraging and helpful and we left looking forward to the next Diva event.  Be sure to like them on facebook http://www.facebook.com/rocknroaddivas, so you can receive announcements for upcoming events.

The chicks with our trainer, Diane.

Saturday's ride for those training for September's century is planned for 58 flat miles starting at 8:00 a.m.  See Pat or Theresa for details.