Inflation, It Works For Me
First, let me warn you that this blog is not about economics or the state of the world's financial affairs. This post is about something much simpler, and in many ways more important!
For the last couple weeks I've been really noticing that my wheelchair tyres were flat. I mean - REALLY flat. I could use my (arthritic) thumb and press down on the tyre and reach the rim. Oy! No good. Turning was sluggish. I could see the tyre bulging. I was worried about a blow out. What I hadn't realised is how much the chair had slowed down on straight lines.
I had been wanting to get the tyres pumped up, unfortunately one of the tyres has a Presta valve, which almost nobody can inflate. I used to have an adapter, but don't anymore. I have a manual pump that can handle that type of valve, in a box somewhere, probably where the adapter is as well. Can I get a big "D'OH" please?!?
I took a different route on my way to work this morning, and drove in front of a bicycle shop. Suddenly I thought I should stop and see if they could inflate my tyres. I turned around at the round-about, went into the store and asked if they could "pump me up". They asked how much I usualy like in the tyre. I said "110 PSI". He said it was no wonder I felt deflated, the tyre was down to 20 PSI. Yikes.
Now that I'm inflated again, or rather my tyres are, pushing my wheelchair is MUCH easier. I can go faster with less effort. I can turn much more sharply.
What a difference a bit of pressure makes :)
4 comments
Next time I see them I will show them the little bike speedometer I put on my chair. It's rather fun to see how fast I can go.
