May is Bike Month -- Making Tracks and Fixing Flats at Naval Hospital Bremerton

BREMERTON, Wash. (NNS) -- In conjunction with the nation-wide "May is Bike Month" initiative, "Bike to Work" calendar of events commenced at Naval Hospital Bremerton with a "Roadside Emergencies" workshop on May 16.

Capt. William "Spin Doctor" Hall shared his riding expertise by conducting the "Roadside Emergencies" workshop covering how to change a flat tire, handle a blown-out sidewall and temporarily fix a broken spoke.

"Every person who rides a bicycle should know how to change a flat tire. It's a very good skill to have. It always happens when you least want it to," said Hall, a spin-class teacher for a local fitness facility and a former professional rider when stationed in Europe.

The flat tire is the most common and vexing gear malfunction to most riders. But, attests Hall, it's also an issue with a little insight and practice can be deftly handled.

"You make certain that the area where you're doing it is in the clear. If you get a flat on the crest of a hill or on the bend of the road with limited vision, you need to move to place that's safe," Hall explained.

Hall advocates all riders carry a patch kit and a bicycle pump, along with the cycling trick of the trade of wrapping duct tape around the pump that can also be used in emergencies.

"It's true duct tape can help fix almost anything or at least help until you get someplace for a more permanent fix," he said.

Hall took the assembled crowd step-by-step in personally fixing a flat, choosing the back tire due to it being not only the most common puncture tire but also because it's the most difficult.

"Riders tend to put the most weight on the back tire and dealing with the gears getting the tire off can be difficult," said Hall who then demonstrated repairing the tire.

The blown out sidewall and broken spoke also present dilemmas to any rider. Both impact a wheel's balance and throw it completely off kilter.

"A spoke that has popped out or been broken can make the wheel and entire bicycle unstable. At high speeds this is not a good thing," stressed Hall, noting that a bent, broken or popped out spoke can be wrapped around a nearby in-place spoke, or even duct taped to another one until fixed properly.

"Safety is always number one when riding," stated Hall.

The next class at NHB is on Monday, May 20, with a 12 p.m. presentation on the 'Differences in Bikes.' On Thursday, May 30, also at 12 p.m. an 'Essentials in Bike Commuting' workshop will be held. On Friday, May 31, the annual NHB Bike-to-Work Day commute commences with escorts to ensure everyone participating gets to work safely and securely.

Bicycle safety tips, flyers, bibs, reflective gear, and buttons are being made available for all interested staff and beneficiaries up to May 31.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy .

For more news from Naval Hospital Bremerton, visit www.navy.mil/local/nhb/ .