The Green Girl and Lexa's First Flat Tire

Lexa's first flat tire

After a triumphant PR at the Wrigley River Run 5k Saturday morning, the Green Girl headed over to Palos Verdes with Lexa for a long ride.

I was feeling more confident after my first cycling lesson so I decided I would go for an actual ride on the road.

I parked, hopped on Lexa, and headed out along the coast.

As I was riding, there was suddenly a loud popping sound and I heard Lexa's rear tire deflate. The tire was flat like a pancake.

I looked around and saw what appeared to be the culprit, a menacing looking white rock with a wide, sharp edge.

Lexa at The Bike Palace

Relieved that this occurred so close to my car, I rolled Lexa back and drove over to the nearest bike shop, The Bike Palace.

They propped Lexa up on a bike stand and removed her rear tire.

They seemed impressed by the severity of the damage. The tire was sliced horizontally and would need to be replaced.

Lexa's torn tire

Unfortunately, The Bike Palace didn't have any 650c tires, so they put the torn tire sans tube back on Lexa and wished me luck finding one in stock nearby.

I managed to find a 650c tire in stock at Jones Bicycles in Belmont Shore so I headed back over the bridge.

At Jones Bicycles, they had two replacement tire options. A standard tire for $14.99 and a Continental Gatorskin tire for $49.99.

Lexa's new Gatorskin rear tire from Jones Bicycle

I was about to go with the cheaper tire when the salesperson mentioned the Gatorskin featured a Kevlar belt under the tread for cut and puncture protection.

A half hour later, Lexa was a whole new Lexa with a $50 Kevlar rear tire.