P*ncture Trolls

Sirius631

We all know about p*ncture fairys, which mysteriously appear, flat your tyre for no obvious reason and disappear into the ether.

Watch out for p*ncture trolls, they live in potholes and stick around for the next victim.

I was doing a 50 mile time trial yesterday, and was on for the time of my life. Approaching a roundabout at the extremity of the course, the lane divided into two and I began my move to take the outer lane to go 180 degrees about at the island. Just as I crossed the dividing line I came upon a pothole 30cm diameter, 50mm deep, with sharp edges. Too late to flick around it, as I was still on my tribars, I hit at at pace and it took out the sidewall of my front Continental Attack with a loud bang. (120psi released in an instance). I was on a full carbon clincher rim (Planet X Pro Carbon 50) so pulled up rapidly so as to avoid any further damage.

Bunneh

So long as you're okay that's what matters.

I was out earlier and on my route home the back just exploded. Had to walk 5m back since I didn't think I'd need my puncture kit... Huge shard of glass in the tyre ruining a new to the bike tyre donated by a bud.

Radioactiveman

Bunneh wrote:

So long as you're okay that's what matters.

I was out earlier and on my route home the back just exploded. Had to walk 5m back since I didn't think I'd need my puncture kit... Huge shard of glass in the tyre ruining a new to the bike tyre donated by a bud.

No tube or puncture kit........... Schoolboy error

Went out once without my tyre levers and had to walk back to the hotel I was stopping at. I saw another cyclist and asked to borrow theirs but they said they were in too much of a hurry. Only time i have ever met a cyclist who has refused to help Since then I double check and triple check I have everything.

Lagavulin

Bunneh wrote:

... I didn't think I'd need my puncture kit...

I think you only do it once.

I now never go out now without at least 3 spare tubes, steel-cored levers, pump and my saddle bags also contain a pair of Compeed patches just incase I can't make the repair and it's walkies.

I once had to walk 7 miles in SPDs and it was pure agony after 2 miles or so. I pretty much destroyed my right heal, ended up carrying more kit than I was wearing and destroyed a set of Assos spring/fall socks.

whyamihere

This time trial wasn't around Lichfield was it? As I was riding home last night, I found myself in the middle of a time trial, and I assumed that it was quite a long one, as I was breezing past them...

skyd0g

Radioactiveman wrote:

Bunneh wrote:

So long as you're okay that's what matters.

I was out earlier and on my route home the back just exploded. Had to walk 5m back since I didn't think I'd need my puncture kit... Huge shard of glass in the tyre ruining a new to the bike tyre donated by a bud.

No tube or puncture kit........... Schoolboy error

Went out once without my tyre levers and had to walk back to the hotel I was stopping at. I saw another cyclist and asked to borrow theirs but they said they were in too much of a hurry. Only time i have ever met a cyclist who has refused to help Since then I double check and triple check I have everything.

I can't imagine not stopping, or at least offering assistance / checking if you're okay / etc. (even if in a hurry) in that situation.

rake

time waits for no man.

Deegs

That's a bummer then.

To have asked a passing fellow cyclist for help, only to find that it was Old Father Time, who wouldn't stop.










Think I'll go back to bed :oops:

Sirius631

whyamihere wrote:

This time trial wasn't around Lichfield was it? As I was riding home last night, I found myself in the middle of a time trial, and I assumed that it was quite a long one, as I was breezing past them...

No, it was on the A50/6 course from Etwall to Blythe Bridge along the A50.

jim453

Did this pothole catch everyone out or were some people looking where they were going?

bompington

jim453 wrote:

Did this pothole catch everyone out or were some people looking where they were going?

+1

I sympathise, I've done it myself, but potholes are not a new thing, and they're not inivisble. You need to learn how to bunny hop on tribars.

pidism

i had become rather blase about punctures after covering 1776 miles on my bike with a rather smug attitude that I was untouchable. Cue 4 punctures in one ride. Crap or what.
:evil:
Still, fingers crossed that I acheive the same mileage again before I puncture again.....

Heres hoping.

Sirius631

bompington wrote:

jim453 wrote:

Did this pothole catch everyone out or were some people looking where they were going?

+1

I sympathise, I've done it myself, but potholes are not a new thing, and they're not inivisble. You need to learn how to bunny hop on tribars.

Black hole in what was evidently otherwise newish black tarmac. I was watching my position for the island. The relative lack of control on the tribars will mean that if you pull a bunnyhop whilst on them you'll end up pancaked on said tarmac.