Had to make "that" phone call today.

golfergmc

Set out this morning in lovely warm sunshine, 14 miles into run and going well then bang something shot past my face, stopped straight away thinking I had broke a spoke or something. Looked down and front wheel was flat, upon further inspection piece of galss had tore a slice out of the side wall. No big deal I thought this has happeneed before so I carry a piece of an old tyre to act as a boot. Looked at bike and NO saddle bag, I had taken it off when I cleaned the bike on Thursday night. Had to then make "that" phone call of "can you come and collect me", wife not happy, me gutted at missing out on a nice run and one vittoria corsa evo cx with less than 50 miles on it destroyed but on the bright side at least I did`nt break a spoke.

ilm_zero7

I only had to do that call in the UK once in 3 years - My wife was fine as long as I didnt expect here to be there in seconds. Her logic was once in 3 years was better then she had anticipated.

I have had a few 'this has happened, I'm going to be later home than anticipated' calls - which are a bit like informing the coastguard when sailing. The hardest thing is trying to describe where TF you actually are, as I had a beyond roadside repair issue. ended up walking to the nearest house and asking what they thought was an odd question "whats your post code please"? - for the car sat nav - worked a treat.

redjeepǃ

Similar experience on a commute into work about a month ago. Ran over something which slashed a brand new Conti 4 Seasons and burst my replacement tube (don't ask).

I was just about to call a mate from work, when the "Boys in Blue" came to my help (actually two policemen and one policewoman) and picked me up, put the bike in the boot of their patrol car and delivered me into work. However I had to decline their kind offer of spread-eagling me over the bonnet of the car before they released me infront of the office windows .....

Brilliant response from them and a great piece of community policing.

rick_chasey

Super glue the tyre back together.

Will keep it alive!

Frank the tank

TBH never had to make such a call, but, only because I was rescued by a good samaritan.

Had a "off" and both myself and the bike were in no state to carry on when a man in a white van offered me a lift home. Turns out this guy was from Cambridge and had no knowledge at all of the local area but was happy to give me a lift to wherever. As it happened I was only about 10miles out but for all he knew it could've been a 100miles.

willhub

I set off on a ride once, to Lofhouse in the dales, going down a hill at 40mph with a flat front tyre, just about stopped before the bend where I'd have gone over into a stream.

Anyway my pump was rusted to death, nothing was working, and I was 70 miles from home, I nearly had to get my parents to pick me up and I'd be in LOTS of trouble. Got 40psi in it and rode to Bedale where I got to a bike shop that did not have a track pump, so I had to ride home into a headwind with about 50psi in my front wheel.

pinno

Wednesday. Great prep, inflated up the wheels. 30 secs later BANG. Oh fiddle. Replaced tube. Off I went safe in the knowledge that I rarely get punctures. BANG ! 20 mins into the ride and another blow out. Long walk home 'cos I left my mobile on charge at home and I had no spare tube.
Found a tiny slit in the tyre, decided on a brand new set of conti's seen as my Michelins are goosed and went out yesterday, hit a stone whilst squinting in the sun and that sound - flap flap flap flap flap. B@ll@x. I have had 2 punctures since using latex in 3 years and then 3 in less than 4 days.
Dunno about the Conti's never used them before. I am in two minds about going back to Michelins when these are worn out 'cos thay seemed to not ride as smoothly but apparently the Michelin 3's are pretty soft. My Michelin 2's were great.
Can't phone the missus 'cos she does'nt drive so have to call a cycling buddy (if they are in).

holmeboy

Can't make that phone call anymore, the Wife's left me.

y33stu

Had to make that call 3 times in 3 weeks a few months ago. 2 broken spokes and a puncture (after I'd already repaired 1, with only 1 tube and no repair kit)

Worst thing is trying to describe where you are. I used to run Strava on my phone until the battery died, now I stop Strava with 15% battery life left, in case I need to make that call.

alihisgreat

I'm dreading having to make 'that' phone call...

I'm at uni so that means a very expensive Taxi to come and pick me up

Soni

From the title of the thread I thought somebody had died!!

de_sisti

My brother, who's a very good distance runner, has started to incorporate cycling into
his keep-fit regime. Using a cheap Halfords mtb (that's all he can afford due to pre 1993
CSA deductions), at the weekend he punctured on his 20 mile ride. He was walking home
cursing his bad luck. A good Samaritan (roadie) on a mtb, stopped for my brother, offered
him one of his spare tubes and even fitted it for him (what a star).

As he's a relative newcomer to cycling he's not accustomed to fixing roadside incidents.
He did say he was moments away from phoning a nephew who didn't live too far away,
to come and rescue him.

jonomc4

I have stopped and helped a guy out with a flat - he was stuck so I gave him my spare inner tube - left him my address and sure enough next week a tube was posted to me - didn't bother me if he had or not - just felt good to help out a fellow cyclist.

CambsNewbie

Was very close to making that call today. Got caught in a massive thunderstorm. Only lasted about 15 minutes but the wind was howling, the rain was stinging, the road flooded in places and I was on the only metal object all around whilst lightening was splitting the sky..

Decided to carry on and almost enjoyed it in a weird kind of way!

Soni

CambsNewbie wrote:

Was very close to making that call today. Got caught in a massive thunderstorm. Only lasted about 15 minutes but the wind was howling, the rain was stinging, the road flooded in places and I was on the only metal object all around whilst lightening was splitting the sky..

Decided to carry on and almost enjoyed it in a weird kind of way!

Whats the matter with you, you wimp!!

Some of us roadies go looking for it, here i am in the Cairngorns in November

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8know-1x ... ture=g-upl

alihisgreat

Soni wrote:

CambsNewbie wrote:

Was very close to making that call today. Got caught in a massive thunderstorm. Only lasted about 15 minutes but the wind was howling, the rain was stinging, the road flooded in places and I was on the only metal object all around whilst lightening was splitting the sky..

Decided to carry on and almost enjoyed it in a weird kind of way!

Whats the matter with you, you wimp!!

Some of us roadies go looking for it, here i am in the Cairngorns in November

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8know-1x ... ture=g-upl

.. I've heard rumours of people like you.. I think they're called 'nutters'

CambsNewbie

Soni wrote:

CambsNewbie wrote:

Was very close to making that call today. Got caught in a massive thunderstorm. Only lasted about 15 minutes but the wind was howling, the rain was stinging, the road flooded in places and I was on the only metal object all around whilst lightening was splitting the sky..

Decided to carry on and almost enjoyed it in a weird kind of way!

Whats the matter with you, you wimp!!

Some of us roadies go looking for it, here i am in the Cairngorns in November

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8know-1x ... ture=g-upl

Yes! I admit it.. I'm a wimp! Left home in blazing sunshine and half way round could see the dark clouds coming. Managed to out ride them for a while.. But the homeward leg took me right into them. The wind I could cope with (it is Cambridgeshire after all and the wind never stops) but the rain was actually hurting! By the time I saw a barn to shelter in it was too late so carried on..