Yikes.

I took the entire back wheel of Bobbi's bicycle to the bike shoppe today, handed it to the salesperson, and said "I think my roomie needs a new tube."

After a perfunctory glance, it was handed back with the statement "I think your roomie needs more than just a new tube."

And it was true: It was easy to spot where the air had got out once it was pointed out to me, since the ragged hole was surrounded by cording from the tire carcass. It was the closest thing to a blowout I'd ever seen on a bicycle tire. Yikes.

The only thing they had in stock to fit was the Bontrager Hardcase which, with tube and labor, cost almost as much as if she'd had a blowout in her Hyundai, but is reckoned to be well-nigh bulletproof.

As an interesting side note: The wheel with a flat tire fit in the Bimmer's trunk, but just barely. With a freshly inflated tire mounted, it needed to ride up front with me.

While I waited for the work to be done, I drooled on the Trek Soho in the showroom. Someday it will be mine. Oh yes, it will be mine.