If I were to be completely honest, I’d admit I wasn’t 100% sure how to change a tire when I raced my first Ironman. I’m sure I could have figured it out, but it was a huge source of paranoia before and during the race.
I’m always nervous about flats, but not having a tube with you when you get one during an Ironman? Last Sunday, that was apparently someone’s fate.
A bunch of people were sabotaged by tacks, and one victim either couldn’t change his tire or didn’t have a tube. What happened next is a pretty wild story.
He punctures his tire and for some reason can’t fix it, so he decides he’s just gonna ride with a flat . . . for 22 miles! Talk about resolve. Certainly can’t accuse him of drafting.
Then, this guy, who happens to be taking a break from a Sunday joy ride and watching the race, ends up lending his back tire to the guy with the flat. He finishes the race, they connect through the bib number and the tire is returned in the morning over breakfast. Now they’re best friends, or at least soul buddies.
I know it’s illegal to get outside assistance during a race, but I feel like there should be an exception for lending out personal gear to complete strangers. Especially if an athlete has the nerve to ask a random guy for his back tire.
Because we all know what they say about race troubles, it’s not what happens, but how you overcome it.
It’s a cool story, check it out.
Oh, and please, please, please watch the video at the bottom of the story for some intense news reporting!
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