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Flat tire...guess I was due
Just over two years ago I bought a new road bike and if I had to guess, I'd say I've probably put somewhere around 2000 kms on it. In all that time, I've never got a flat tire. Well unfortunately that all changed this past Sunday. I was out for a ride, by myself, on the back roads around Stittsville. The plan was to do 60 kms - and I came close to that. I was on my way home from a there and back route, when I noticed that my bike was feeling a bit weird - riding much rougher than it normally does. I immediately suspected a flat and when I slowed down, sure enough that's what it was. I know exactly when it happened (I remember the bump my back wheel took) but I have no idea what caused it. Was it a large rock that I somehow missed with my front wheel but hit with my back? A pothole perhaps? No idea.
I had about 8.5 kms to go when this happened, so luckily I had completed just over 50 kms of the 60 kms I had hoped to do. I didn't have a lot of options at this point because although I had an extra tube, and the tools to make the change - I didn't have a pump or any other means to inflate the new tube. D'oh! Walking that distance in cycling shoes would be absolute insanity, so luckily I had brought my cell phone with me. I just called up Amy and asked her to come get me, which happily she did. Lesson learned - if you're going out alone, make sure you have the means to inflate your tires should the need arise. I'd rather not have to carry a pump so instead I'll be looking into CO2 cartridges. Steve first told me about them a while ago, and I confirmed with Grant that you can get them at MEC so I've added that to my list of things to do/get before my next solo ride.
Anyways, like I suggested in my post title, perhaps I was just due for a flat. :)
impressive! i feel like a slacker:)
Lesson learned indeed. You're lucky you had a bailout option ;-)
I'm constantly amazed at the number of people that head out with no tools, patches, tubes, pumps, etc. However, I'm even more amazed by the number that only take one or some of the above, but don't carry everything they need! I suppose it's one thing in Gatineau, because chances are, someone could have loaned you a pump, but when you're on your own, you need it all. I learned that last year training for the Iron. Heading out for 150km rides on my own deep in the south woulda been risky without some equipment. Now, I keep 1 tube, 1 lever (Quikstik, highly recommended), tools, some super patches (in case I puncture > once), and a CO2 kit. All fits in a very small saddle bag under my seat.
beekcake!
I make every mistake... I try to make them only once. Experience (pain) is really the only way I learn.
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