[johnmdesigner]

After reading the thread entitled "Why Change?" I was reminded that I had purchased a set of Challenge Strada Bianca tires for my gravel bike and they needed to be mounted.
So with a shaky connection to Gent-Wevelgem on the computer this morning I set about the task.
After about an hour of chasing the first tire bead around the rim and failing to seat it I gave up and cracked open a beer at 10am.
I don't understand these tires. It's just a flat strip with no camber at the tread line. How does one force this onto the rim?
My daddy would have said of such problems it's like "trying to stick a wet noodle up a cat's you-know-what".
Why change indeed - I guess that's why they're called "Challenge".
If anyone out there has some helpful hints on how to turn this flat strip into a bicycle tire I would appreciate your suggestions.

Thank you.