What a story...just goes to prove how "enduring" we all are.
I had a similar interesting story. I went to a ride nearby to help out the
weekend before the World. I just didn't have time or energy to ride that
weekend. On the way home I got run off the roasd (at midnight on my OWN
backroad) by some idiot driving WAY too fat around a corner that I KNOW I
have to make a wide swing to make. Well, I missed him but hit a small
concrete bridle abuttment. I got home and noticed the tire that hit the
abuttment was flat. Since I planned on leaving the next AM for Kansas, we
stayed up and changed the tire...like you, could not find all the right tools
so butchered the simulator in removing it. Ok, not so bad.
When I got up in the AM I looked at the tire and noticed it was not straight.
My GOD, I had a bent axle on a Sunday morning with 750 miles to go that
day!!! Drove 25 miles, checked the tire. it was HOT and showing uneven wear
already. Went to nearest truck stop (another 10 miles) and found they had NO
service department. BUT a big sign in the truck lot mentioned a truck and
tire repair shop. I called. THEY WERE OPEN!!! The guy came right over to
look at the axle and said he could fix it (I didn't think it was
possible..last time this happened I had to buy a new axle). 4 hours later
after I experienced a MASTER MR. Fix-IT, I was back on the road...No rip-off
price either.
There are still a great many capable and wonderful people in the world who
realize that your problem IS important. If any of you are ever in Grayson,
KY on I-64 (exit 172), stop at the Pilot truck stop and notice the sign in
the back of the parking lot. This guy is GREAT!!
Teddy