Flat Tire - Now what am I to do but wait for one of santas reindeers

By VeloGuy on December 12th, 2007

Veloguy here. I am part of the very large “LA TriClub” in Los Angeles, CA. The club has something like 1,500 members, and still has that small club feel. The email below sent to the entire club and I thought that I would share it with you. We should keep in mind why we started riding our bikes, and that we are part of one very large community that needs to take care of its members. I have changed the names to keep all involved in hiding.

Sent: Sunday, December 9, 2007 4:58:55 PM
Subject: LA Club Member - SAVED ME!!

Dear Mr X,
I would like to extend my sincerest and deepest gratitude to your club and one of its members. Today was my very first triathlon, The Tinsel Town Triathlon, and I learned a very important lesson - always be PREPARED! I had a flat tire just about the four mile mark. I had no extra tube, no patch kit, no pump, and no tools - nada! It was going to be a very long walk back to the race area. A number of riders asked if I needed any assistance but I was embarrassed to say anything other then ‘Nah, don’t need any help, I have it covered.” I started to walk back when your club member pulled up beside me and ask what I needed. I was a bit startled because he had stopped to help me on the return leg of the bike ride. With my head hung low I whispered that I didn’t have any way to repair my flat. He didn’t even hesitate, he jumped off his bike and whipped out a tube from this little bag behind his seat. “WOW”, I thought, “that was really nice but
I still have to figure out how to change the stupid flat.” I am sure he saw the worried look on my face (remember I had no tools) and hands me this odd looking can opener like thing. I’m thinking “GREAT and what am I supposed to do with this thing?” “Its an easy way to change a tire” he says. “Would you like me to show you how it works?” My response “OH HELL YES !! I would love to see how it works! It was like watching the pit crew at the Indianapolis 500 - tire is off, tube in, tire back on and pussssh its inflated in a flash. “Wooo way to COOL” I say excited. He makes sure the tire is on correctly and I am ready to finish the bike ride.
Just as we part company, going in opposite directions, he says over his shoulder “No worries everyone has flats and you’re doing great! Enjoy the rest of your race.”
I knew he was a club member because earlier I had noticed a red, white and blue tattoo on the back of his leg. It was the LA Tri Club logo.

I never did get his name, but he had a big red nose and antlers on his bike.

Mr. X if you know who this person is would you please forward this message?

To the kind stranger who assisted an embarrassed beginner –

THANK YOU!!. You saved me.

Sincerely,

Larry

PS. I have to say the LA Tri Club must be one hell of an organization