Several years ago we learned a technique for dealing with a gash in a bike tire, to prevent the tube from bulging out through the gash (like an aneurysm) and exploding: cut up a one-dollar bill into appropriate sized pieces, and place these pieces on the inside of the tire (between the tube and the tire) at the site of the gash. The rationale for a dollar bill is that it is made of strong paper. We've never before had to employ this technique, but on Friday afternoon it was crucial to allow us to continue cycling.
Halfway through our ride, we reached a milestone, surpassing 1000 miles since we left Boston on April 20. That includes 332 miles on the first segment of our trip (Boston to Philadelphia), and 648 miles so far on the second segment of our trip (Astoria, Oregon to Philadelphia). Only 2800 miles to go!
Shortly after reaching that milestone, Peter heard a sudden hissing sound from his rear tire as it lost all of its air. We removed the wheel, then took off the tire and tube. The tire had a sizable gash in it. When we replaced the tube and pumped it up, the tube bulged out through the gash. So we quickly let the air out and employed the dollar bill technique, and all was well. This provides a temporary fix until we get to Troy, Idaho, 35 miles into our Saturday ride, where we confirmed that we will be able to purchase a replacement tire of the right size.
On our trip to this point, we've rarely been on any one road for more than 5 miles or so. That changed dramatically today, as we got onto US Highway 2 and will continue on it for 750 miles through Idaho, Montana, and North Dakota. We always prefer secondary roads (if they're paved) to highways, but in this part of the country the population density is evidently too low to support having many such secondary roads.
1000 miles completed, 2800 miles to go
Crossing a causeway into the beautiful town of Sandpoint, Idaho.
Lake in the foreground, snow-capped peaks behind
The start of 750 miles along Route 2
Fixing a flat tire
Cutting a $1 bill to prevent a bike tube "aneurysm"
