I pumped it up and went out on my usual Saturday ride, which turned out to be the bad ride. When I put the bike away after only 10 miles, the tire was still firm.
The next morning, I put the bike in the back of the SUV to drive to San Marcos for what I hoped would be a 68-mile ride. But when I went to pump up the tire at the ride start, pressure was down again — to only 60 pounds. I decided to go the 41-mile route instead, just to be on the safe side. The tire performed well.
Then Tuesday, it was the time trial. Oddly, the tire pressure was just a little under the 100 pounds I’d pumped it up to on Sunday. I topped it off, headed out to the time trial, and had a great run (22:17 unofficial time for eight miles – previous best had been an official 23:02).
I didn’t ride again until Friday morning. Pressure had dropped to about 80 pounds over the three days since the TT – not unusual. I pumped it up and rode. Then rode another 25 miles Saturday. The tire barely needed pumping at all.
This morning, I had planned a fairly long ride – about 60 miles round trip. When I squeezed the tire in the garage, it felt firm. I put the pump on it, and only had to add about 10 pounds.
I rode to San Marcos and back. Total mileage 58. Just for fun, I checked the tire before writing this post at suppertime. Still at 100 pounds. Whatever slow leak is, or was, in the tire seems to be sealing itself.
I pulled the wheel, took off the tire, and put in a replacement tube. I think one can press his luck only so far.