ずいぶん前からいつも使っている自転車の後ろのタイヤの空気が結構早く減るので気になって自転車屋に持っていきたいと思いつつ、なかなか時間が取れずにいました。墨画展も終わり、今朝は雨が降る前に明日のランチの買い出しに出ようと自転車を出したところ、やっぱり後輪の空気が減っているので、買い物前にオートサイクル堂中に寄ってみました。
事情を話すとおじさんは、タイヤを一眼見るなり「ようこんなになるまで乗ってたなぁ」と呆れ顔。タイヤが擦り減ってツルツルになっていたのです。電動アシストを購入して７、８年。バッテリーは充電していましたが、タイヤ交換はしたことがなく、週に２度は彦根まで買い出しに出かけ、公民館でのヨガや朗読サークルにも自転車は私の移動手段。なくてはならない存在です。
交換には時間がかかるようで、とりあえずは古いタイヤに空気を一杯入れてもらって買い物へ行き、その後のヨガクラス、玄米の精米とその日の予定を終えて自転車屋さんへ。
外された古いタイヤを改めて見て、最近、上り坂がやけに大変だったことに深く納得し、パンクする前に新しいタイヤに交換できたことを幸運に思いました。帰りに自転車に乗ったらペダルがあまりに軽くてびっくり！見送ってくれたおじさんに手を振って感謝を伝えました。
Since a while ago, I have been worrying about the rear wheel of my bicycle which leaked faster than i expected, and I wanted to bring it to the bicycle shop but I didn't have time to do so. Today I was just about to go shopping by bike to the grocery store to get things for preparing tomorrow's reserved lunch when I found that the air of the wheel is leaking again. Then I decided to stop by the nearest bike shop before shopping.
Hearing my explanation, the shop owner took a look at the rear wheel then said "I can't believe you had been riding this bike in the worst condition!". It was completely worn out. I bought the electric assist bicycle seven or eight years ago, and when the battery runs out, I charge but I have never changed the wheels. Riding my bicycle, I go to Hikone to get to the grocery store twice a week, I also go to the community center in town to attend yoga class and read aloud in a group. My bicycle is an essential tool for my transportation. The shop owner said he needed two or three hours to change the wheel but I had many things to do on that day, so I decided to come back later to the shop. He kindly put full air into my rear wheel, and I went ahead to Hikone. Then after finishing shopping, attending yoga class and going to the rice mill stand, I went to the bicycle shop again.
The shop owner worked very well. Looking at the old worn out wheel which was already taken off, I understood why I felt it was so hard, especially for going upslope and I was thankful he changed the wheel into a new one before the old one became flat. When I rode my bike to go home, I was amazed by the fact that the pedals were so light because of the new wheel. I was so happy and waved my hand to show my thanks to the shop owner who was sending me off behind.
