Walking out the front door this morning, I noticed our car had a flat tire. The nearest gas station to our house with an air pump is about two miles away. The closest Discount Tire shop is located approximately four miles from our house. I've changed enough car tires over the years to know that while the process isn't complicated, it still takes a good 20-30 minutes from start to finish for jacking, removing the lugs, pulling out the spare, replacing the tire, tightening it up and putting away all of the equipment...time that I didn't have due to a morning meeting.

I contemplated driving the two miles to the gas station on the flat, but backing out the driveway and hearing the custom rim grrrrind on the concrete wasn't very encouraging.

Instead, I decided to try and fill the tire with air using my Specialized Air Tool bike pump.

I had heard of people re-filling their car tires with bike pumps, but never experienced the need or situation to try. I was surprised how simple the filling process was. I locked the pump onto the tire valve and started pumping--just like I would for a bike tire. It took about 60-70 pumps, but the air went in easily and I was able to get 40 psi (the tire's maximum psi is 50) forced inside after about 5 minutes (much quicker than messing with the spare). I tossed my bike pump into the trunk just in case I needed to refill and drove to my meeting without further problems.

Later in the day I drove to Discount Tire (on the same air) and had the faulty tire replaced.

So, keep your bike pump in mind as a useful alternative air source for temporary fills. You'll need a Schrader head on your pump as auto tires are not built with presta valves. Some pumps, like the Specialized I have are dual-headed (i.e., they work on both valves).

Final thought: When replacing automobile tires, consider paying a little extra for free tire replacement programs. For $20, Discount Tire will replace any tires damaged from potholes (look for lumps on the sidewall) for free.

No, it's not a new running drill to add to your high-knee lifts and long strides. Here's a new approach to creating a healthy work and learning environment: midrise office buildings without elevators--or more accurately, without elevators that stop on every floor. At the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (a Lower Manhattan private college), a new academic building slated to open in January 2009 will introduce students, faculty and visitors, to "skip-stop" elevators.

Though the building will offer classrooms and offices among 9 storys, its elevator will "skip" most floors and "stop" on only the 5th and 8th levels. Guess why? Yep, to not so gently compel an impromptu stair workout--I love it! But something tells me that coeds with classes on the 3rd floor will "skip" the WALK up and instead opt for a ride to 5, and an easier walk down.

The architect, Morphosis of Santa Monica, California, states that a freight elevator also will be available to comply with federal disability laws.