Okay, so a bit of a random one today, but then again, that is sort of the point of these 1%er tips. It was never my intention to do these in order of importance but rather to simply write them as they occur to me.
So, yep, know how to change a tyre. I am meaning on your bike, but really knowing how to change a tyre on your car is a good idea too. A work colleague came in late yesterday and it was because he had a flat tyre that he needed to change. That in itself takes time, but it was made worse by the fact that he had never done it before. I was quite surprised as he is about my age. I digress, but still a good idea all the same.
Anywhoooo, back to it.
When I am talking about knowing how to change a bike tyre I am meaning both in training and in racing. From a training point of view it is just common sense. No matter how careful you are and how well maintained your tyres are, no matter how much you ride with other people who know how to change tyres, sooner or later you will be alone and you will get a flat. If you can't change that tyre then you are going to be cutting your session short and bugging somebody to come and get you. Simple as that. Neither of those are good things.
Learning how to change the tyre is pretty straight forward too. You could go and visit your friendly neighbourhood bike store and they would most likely show you, particularly if you bought your bike from them. However, if you would prefer to learn in the comfort of your own home then Youtube is for you. You can pretty much learn anything from tutorials on Youtube these days and changing a tyre is no different. Plus, the nice thing about learning how to change a tyre is that it is easy to practice. Just let your tyre down, take it off, put it on. Repeat. Simple. Don't wait for a flat tyre to have to figure it out.
Of equal importance is knowing how to change a tyre in a race situation. Race situations can be different because often you are using different equipment and usually you will be in a rush.
When I say practice changing tyres in a race situation I mean practice using the same equipment that you will use on race day. Practice doing it quickly. For lots of people their training wheels and race wheels are different. Some people carry a hand pump during training and CO2 canisters during race. If you planning on using a CO2 canisters during a race have you ever used one before? Here is a tip, try using one at home before you get a flat. Yes it will cost you a CO2 canister, but it could save you a race. CO2 canisters are cheap, races are not. You may be surprised just how fiddly some CO2 inflators are, best getting familiar before you need it.
Some people train on clinchers and race on tubulars. If you race on tubulars and you get a flat what will you do? Will you try and fix it? How? No matter whether you are using clinchers or tubulars, do you know what spares you are going to carry on race day? Perhaps you won't carry spares at all, if you get a flat, will you simply wear the DNF? When I first started doing Half Ironman, that was my approach. I only started carrying spares once I switched to clincher race wheels. These are all questions you need to think of and answer before you start a race. Figure out what you are going to do the case of a flat tyre and then plan and practice accordingly. Practice, practice, practice.
Doing this well can save you time in a race if the worst should happen. Not doing this well could cost you the entire event. Seems worth it to me.
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