Fast Derek and the toothbrush

Did I ever tell you the one about Fast Derek and the tooth brush?

I was out on an Akatarawas ride with Fast Derek some time about 1993. Well compared to Slow Derek he was fast, and in fact one year Fast Derek even won the Wellington road champs, and while the road scene in Wellington back in the early 90's was practically flat-lining, it was still a well deserved win for Derek as he attacked on the final approach to the finish while the usual suspects tried not to lead each other out in the sprint. Pretty good for a triathlete.

Fast Derek was like the rest of us, a typical Hutt Bogan and did unspeakable things like riding really old bikes with mis-matched group-sets, and shock horror, he had even been observed wearing home-made arm-warmers. Not the kind of thing likely to get him invited on invitation only group rides with strict dress codes.

The Bogan of the week trophy (awarded annually).

Slow Derek on the other hand was famous for getting beaten one year in the 100km Rainbow Rage by one guy with no legs, and two guys with one leg each. Realising his strengths lay elsewhere Slow Derek moved into the administrative side of cycling. But I have digressed. So Fast Derek and I were doing an Akas ride on the weekend, possibly as training for the Nelson to Christchurch time trial, I cant recall. The night before I can remember swapping my tire, I think it was a 25mm one, onto my trusty Avanti Super Sprint.

The ride started well enough although there was a slight hop in the wheel. I must have changed it in too much of a hurry the previous night and not seated it well enough. Part way up the hill I noticed the tire was getting a bit squirmy, maybe I hadn't tightened up the valve properly so I added a bit more air.  By the top of the Hill it was getting flat again. Damn it. Time to put in a new tube.

I ripped off the tyre and was surprised to see a toothbrush come flying out of the tyre when I pulled out my tube!

I was in the habit of cleaning my bike with a tooth brush, and there was one on the shelf above where my tire was hanging. It must have dropped down into the cavernous expanse of my 25mm tire as I pulled it off the wall. That was the first and last time I, or I am guessing anyone else rode 50kms with a toothbrush in their rear wheel.