Even though most of my time is dedicated to motorized wheeled conveyances I do enjoy riding my bicycle. Its care and maintenance does not require me to do oil changes, fill wiper washer fluid or have yearly emissions testing. However, it does share some characteristics of the car. I must keep the chain lubricated and make sure all the parts are in good working order. An important shared aspect between the car and bike is tire pressure.

As the car tires requires pressure around the 32 psi mark my mountain bike's tires can take a maximum of 60 psi. I usually keep the pressure around fifty. This is a problem. I do not have an air compressor. I do have an emergency one for the car that plugs into the power accessories outlet. It is designed for the vehicle and it barely reaches 30 psi. When I need to get some air for the bike's tires I must utilize the air pumps at service stations.

This you would think would be a simple task. It has proven difficult at best. I usually ride within a thirty mile radius from my house. In that area there are numerous air pumps- some free and some that cost twenty-five cents. All but one in my riding area are complete and total rubbish.

Dear Moron,

I must only assume you are tailgating me to urge me to drive faster. Please accept my most sincere apologies. Traffic laws and simple common sense dictate that I cannot drive any faster than the car in front of me. If there is no car in front of me, I must point out that before you began tailgating me I was driving faster, but I have now have to adjust for your car's stopping distance as well as mine. You will appreciate that I am concerned for your well being as well as my own.