Earth Day, Every Day!

Howdy! Did you know that 2010 is the 40th anniversary of Earth Day? It is technically April 22nd, but it was celebrated yesterday, here in Omaha. (And really, shouldn't it be celebrated every day?! ) Elmwood Park hosted the celebration, which included bands, speakers, demonstrations, vendors, information booths, and activities! Katie and I live just a few miles from this park, so we decided to bike over in the afternoon. But before we could leave, I had to fix the flat tire I got on the way to the baseball game earlier in the week!

This was my first time replacing a popped tube, but I figured it was better to learn at home than on the side of the road somewhere. I used these instructions, this video, and this girlfriend for guidance. Here's what I learned!

1. Remove the wheel that has the flat from the bike.

2. Deflate the tube completely by pressing on the center of the air valve.

3. Using a tire wrench, unhook one side of the tire and pull it over the rim. Slide the wrench around the rim, until the entire tire has been released from the rim.

4. Remove the deflated tube from inside of the tire.

5. Check that there are no foreign objects stuck in the tire.

6. Inflate your new tube slightly, making it easier to handle.

7. Align the air valve in the tube with the hole in the rim, and insert the valve.

8. Feed the tube under the tire, working away from the valve. Put the tire back on the rim as you go.

9. Once you hit the point where you can no longer put the tire on the rim easily with your fingers, use the tire wrench to finish.

10. Check along the entire tire to see that the tube is completely inside. You don't want the tube to get pinched between the tire and the rim, as this could cause it to pop.

11. Pump up your new tube to the appropriate level. This should be indicated on your tire in PSI (pounds per square inch) which will correspond to the numbers on a tire gauge.

12.  Place your wheel back on the bike and secure, being sure to align the chain with the smallest gear. Check that the wheel is aligned between the brake pads.

13. Tighten the nuts with your hands, and then a little bit more using a wrench. Make sure that the wheel can spin freely and isn't rubbing on any parts of the bike.

14. Flip your bike over and give her a test ride!

Yay, I did it! I had to do a little adjusting afterwards, be we got it all figured out.

Stella wanted to hang out with us while we were working in the garage.

Did I tell you that Katie and I have 8 bikes?! We even got rid of about 5 before we moved last Summer! Katie started working on bikes as a hobby a couple of years ago and went a little crazy on Craigslist. We like to bike together, so we each have a road bike, a mountain bike, a cruiser, and a hybrid. Good thing we found a house with a huge garage!

After all of our tinkering, we headed off to the park for Earth Day!  Once we arrived, Katie immediately ditched me met up with a friend, so I explored a little on my own.

After a bit, I decided to grab some dinner. I nibbled on a free slice of Great Harvest cinnamon chip wheat bread with butter while I decided what to get.

I ended up ordering a cheddar sandwich with mixed greens, tomato, and chipotle mayo on a whole wheat roll. I also got a small bag of Sun Chips and a super tasty orange rooibos tea.

I met up with Katie and Bart to watch a Capoeira Angola demonstration. Capoeira is a game that combines musical, dance and combat elements - kind of like break dancing meets martial arts, in a playful way. I believe it was born in Brazil, but has African roots due to the slave trades.

After this, we headed over to the beer garden!

We met up with some of Bart's friends, had a couple of beers and lots of fun!

All in all, a wonderful Saturday!