I should have stayed in bed...

Adamskii

Is exactly what I was thinking this morning as I rode into work!

I set off as usual but about a mile in I got a puncture. No problem, I carry a spare inner tube. I spent ten minutes or so freezing my fingers changing inner tube before continuing on my way. About a mile down the road my back tyre began to go soft again!

Oh bugger, I only carry one spare inner tube and now it was going flat. At this moment as it was a slow puncture I stupidly decided that I actually might make it to work so I pumped it up and carried on. It lasted less than half a mile, but I persisted and continued pumping up my failing tube before it completely gave up on me.

I'm now five miles from work with a completely flat back tyre, no means to fix it and no credit on my phone to call for rescue. Yes, I'm an idiot for not having credit on my phone and yes I'm an idiot for not carrying a puncture repair kit. As a result the only option I had was to ride in on my flat tyre which is probably one of the most humiliating, uncomfortable and damn right dangerous experiences you can have whilst riding a bike.

In the end I got to work considerable late but really, I should have stayed in bed!

redddraggon

I'm glad I didn't have any mechanicals.

I should also have stayed bed this morning, having worked all weekend and then been ill yesterday. Got on the bike this morning wearing my summer stuff with just an Assos jacket over the top. All the sleet/rail/hail caused me some of the worst pain I've ever suffered to my fingertips - they still feel like I've hit each one with a hammer. Thankfully I had some lobster gloves in my back pocket and threw them over the mitts, making it just about sufferable to get into work.

wheelbuckler

Were you on the Blackpool road heading towards Warton. I saw a bloke trying to repair a puncture this morning, didn't look like fun. Unfortunately I live too far away from work for a commute to be possible but I am looking to move closer so I can do but seeing people doing that in the rain and cold first thing in a morning always puts me off

Adamskii

No not on the Blackpool road to Warton, I was on the A6 south of Preston. Getting punctures is the worst part of cycling, that and falling off. Oh and getting cold and ill as a result! Oh and the traffic, thats annoying too. Apart from all that it's great!

wheelbuckler

Adamskii wrote:

No not on the Blackpool road to Warton, I was on the A6 south of Preston. Getting punctures is the worst part of cycling, that and falling off. Oh and getting cold and ill as a result! Oh and the traffic, thats annoying too. Apart from all that it's great!

Not doing much to convince me to cycle to work, I get out on my mountain bike and really don't mind getting cold and wet and muddy but I don't have to go to work afterwards. Maybe I'll put off moving closer to work for a while :roll:

DavidTQ

Adamskii wrote:

Is exactly what I was thinking this morning as I rode into work!

I set off as usual but about a mile in I got a puncture. No problem, I carry a spare inner tube. I spent ten minutes or so freezing my fingers changing inner tube before continuing on my way. About a mile down the road my back tyre began to go soft again!

Oh bugger, I only carry one spare inner tube and now it was going flat. At this moment as it was a slow puncture I stupidly decided that I actually might make it to work so I pumped it up and carried on. It lasted less than half a mile, but I persisted and continued pumping up my failing tube before it completely gave up on me.

I'm now five miles from work with a completely flat back tyre, no means to fix it and no credit on my phone to call for rescue. Yes, I'm an idiot for not having credit on my phone and yes I'm an idiot for not carrying a puncture repair kit. As a result the only option I had was to ride in on my flat tyre which is probably one of the most humiliating, uncomfortable and damn right dangerous experiences you can have whilst riding a bike.

In the end I got to work considerable late but really, I should have stayed in bed!

Ive been caught out like that before

I carry at least one tube and patchs, as well as tyre leves and a co2 inflator plus spare cartridge in a spare water bottle on the frame .

Adamskii

No really, it's great. I only see those little mishaps as a challenge. Like this morning for example! "I will get to work riding with a flat tyre"!

Life would be boring without the ride to work and the ride home and the ride after work.

GraemeT

Not quite so problamatic for me today, but still embarassing.
I had just been wearing my normal work clothes to cycle to work, but as my girlfriend is getting faster and saying that I hold her up I decided to start wearing cycle clothes this week. Not used to what I need in my bag, I had to go back into the house at least three times to get things that I'd forgotten.
Arrived at work and sat at my desk, many comments from colleagues about my attire, then thought F**K I haven't brought a clean shirt with me :shock: even though I took yesterdays shirt out of my bag this morning :roll:
Fortunately a colleague had a free shirt from a supplier on her desk so it saved me from being half naked all day.
First thing I'll do tonight is put 3 clean shirts in my bag :oops:

Clever Pun

has the tyre coped ok or have you fecked the walls on it? Any damage to the rims?

Adamskii

Not looked yet but the inner tube did that did were it bunches up at one end causing the wheel to kick each revolution. I'd be surprised if the wheel is still true. Nearly new tyre as well

dirk_van_gently

I've had my share of punctures recently, my route is predominantly off road, plenty of thorns from bushes around.
I bought a pump which will also takes a co2 cartridge, this has been terrific, and I always carry a tube and repair kit. But it's still possible to get caught out.
I've thought about the slime tubes, but have heard conflicting comments about their worth?

Clever Pun

Adamskii wrote:

Not looked yet but the inner tube did that did were it bunches up at one end causing the wheel to kick each revolution. I'd be surprised if the wheel is still true. Nearly new tyre as well

bummer, if you're unsure about the tyre replace it as if it blows out you could be in for a world of pain

Adamskii

Just checked the wheel and it's as straight as a dime. The tyre has also been remarkably unaffected. Thumbs up for cheapo Shimano rims and Conti Gatorskins.