K & P Rail Trail - My ride was ended by a mechanical.

I have been looking forward to riding on the K & P Rail Trail, (north of Kingston) for some time. On a beautiful day I started at Kingston and headed north. After only 20 KM I noticed my front tire was a little flat and I was not able to pump it up properly. Fortunately, another cyclist (Nav) rode with me to make sure I got back without issue.
This is what caused the mechanical: I had started with my front tire a little too soft. I could feel the surface through it more than usual so I decided to stop and use a CHEAP hand pump to get some air into it. The pump did not hold the valve core properly and so it bent it. Even using the CO2 pump, I could not get much air passed the twisted valve. Once I finished, I changed the valve core, topped off the sealant and pumped it up. As simple as that. I have to admit though, when I am trailside, I do tend to get a little flustered, (especially when I am mosquito fodder) that is something I will have to work on .

[@BrianthatiscalledBrian]

I'm amazed there are so many old rail trails in Ontario. You've given me a lot of ideas, Andrew. Thanks. 🙂🚴‍♀️👍

[@robiam506]

Great video Andrew. I love the K&P!

[@cardiaccyclist7477]

Thank you so much.

[@kevinborovsky3558]

Hey there Andrew. Thanks again for another video I so want to do this trail as I heard of it this winter. Cheers 🍻

[@cardiaccyclist7477]

It is well worth checking out Kevin.

[@Pedals_and_Pathways]

What a drag Andrew. This is my home trail and you at least saw a nice part of it. If you want to come back hit me up and I will go with you. I need to video from Verona to Sharbot Lake this summer as it is great too. Very underrated trail.

[@cardiaccyclist7477]

I look forward to seeing your ride up to Sharbot Lake.

[@Chan1881]

Kudos to Nav.

[@cardiaccyclist7477]

I absolutely agree. What a legend.

[@reinhartbigl367]

Sorry to see you had tire problems, but good to see you out on the beautiful K&P! Thanks for sharing!

[@cardiaccyclist7477]

I loved this trail.

[@reinhartbigl367]

@@cardiaccyclist7477 Looking forward to seeing the video about your return to the K&P…and while you’re out this way, the Cataraqui Trail as well! Cheers!

[@cardiaccyclist7477]

@@reinhartbigl367 It is definitely on my list.

[@chrisconnors7418]

I didn’t know about that trail. I’m only 2 hrs car ride from Pembroke. I could start at that end. I’d love to travel far enough to see the limestone rock cuts but that’d be a long day if I was to return back to Pembroke. Just googled. Apparently the trail starts (or ends) in the town of Renfrew, about an hour further from Pembroke. I thought the 180 km was too short a distance from Pembroke. Renfrew would be 70-100 km further south, I think. And now saw the Mattawa to Smith Falls trail. It’s closed Mattawa to near Pembroke but looks open from Pembroke to Smith Falls. If “sealant” was whitish, that’s probably a frog. If brownish, slug. :)

[@cardiaccyclist7477]

HAHA, yes I think I don't want to discover what it was!!!

[@jeffturner8927]

That looks like a great trail. It was good to have someone around to give you a bit of support too. I've got tubed tyres but I use Slime. Works well for small leaks and punctures.

[@cardiaccyclist7477]

It is a great trail Jeff. In the end, I confirmed that it was not actually a puncture.

[@jeffturner8927]

@@cardiaccyclist7477 Ah. I thought there was some sort of leak because you were losing pressure.

[@cardiaccyclist7477]

@@jeffturner8927 I run with them at a really low PSI, and on this trail I started to feel the surface through the front tire, more than usual. On reflection, I don't think it was losing air, I just think it started a little low. When I tried pumping it up I bent the valve core and air would not go in.

[@jeffturner8927]

@@cardiaccyclist7477 I getcha. Just have to get that sweet spot.

[@CameronFraserACHF]

If you are coming any further into Eastern Ontario, you need to let us know. We have some paths/trails for you, and might even be able to put you up.

[@cardiaccyclist7477]

Hi Cameron. I absolutely will. I am still hoping to do a few more trails down east.

[@MrJx4000]

Very nice, I'll have to add that to my bucket list. Did you ever find the cause of the lower pressure?

[@cardiaccyclist7477]

It is well worth trying ths one out. I did find the cause. It was a damaged valve.

[@MrJx4000]

@@cardiaccyclist7477, Tubeless, right? I didn't know you could do that (damage the valve).

[@cardiaccyclist7477]

@@MrJx4000 Yes I had used a cheap pump, which did not clamp onto the valve properly. It ended up bending the valve core and I could not get air to go in.