First Night(mare) Ride

Friday night I decided to go on my first night ride.
Checked all my lights were working and got my waterproof jacket out, as there was a light rain falling.
I'd planned on a 20 mile ride.
7 miles in and I got my first puncture
So feeling smug I got out my spare inner tube and swapped it over (no puncture repair at the roadside for me)
Jumping back on my bike I set off again.
1 mile down the road Puncture number 2
So out came the puncture repair kit!!
Puncture number 2 fixed I had the decision carry on and risk puncture number 3 even further from home or turn back..
Being somewhat demoralised by now I chose the latter option.
So 5 miles from home Puncture number 3 :evil:
Each time I carefully checked the tyre for sharp pointy things and found nothing. So I figured there must be something I was missing. So I decided against a third repair in case I seriously damaged the tyre riding it with a piece of glass or similar imbedded in it.
Fortunately I was close to the storage locker I have near home so I dumped the bike into storage and walked the 5 miles home (all the time hoping to see a taxi as my phone had also died).
Unfortunately no taxis were to be seen.
I picked up the bike today and in the light of day found the offending piece of glass embedded in the tyre.
Once this was removed and both punctures fixed in each of my inner tubes I pumped up the tyre and left it for half an hour. This was all fine.
So despite the sleet I managed to get out for another 15 miles today. To stretch out my stiff muscles from my long walk Friday night!!
Think I need to exchange my flashy LED front light for a better light I my have been able to see the offender with a brighter light! Lesson learned I think
Roy
Checked all my lights were working and got my waterproof jacket out, as there was a light rain falling.
I'd planned on a 20 mile ride.
7 miles in and I got my first puncture

So feeling smug I got out my spare inner tube and swapped it over (no puncture repair at the roadside for me)
Jumping back on my bike I set off again.
1 mile down the road Puncture number 2

So out came the puncture repair kit!!
Puncture number 2 fixed I had the decision carry on and risk puncture number 3 even further from home or turn back..
Being somewhat demoralised by now I chose the latter option.
So 5 miles from home Puncture number 3 :evil:
Each time I carefully checked the tyre for sharp pointy things and found nothing. So I figured there must be something I was missing. So I decided against a third repair in case I seriously damaged the tyre riding it with a piece of glass or similar imbedded in it.
Fortunately I was close to the storage locker I have near home so I dumped the bike into storage and walked the 5 miles home (all the time hoping to see a taxi as my phone had also died).
Unfortunately no taxis were to be seen.
I picked up the bike today and in the light of day found the offending piece of glass embedded in the tyre.
Once this was removed and both punctures fixed in each of my inner tubes I pumped up the tyre and left it for half an hour. This was all fine.
So despite the sleet I managed to get out for another 15 miles today. To stretch out my stiff muscles from my long walk Friday night!!
Think I need to exchange my flashy LED front light for a better light I my have been able to see the offender with a brighter light! Lesson learned I think
Roy
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Not trying to teach you to suck eggs but that's what I do when fixing a puncture and it's usually enough of a clue to find the offending piece of glass/thorn/whatever.
strava profile
Certainly tried to check relevant place, but no luck.
No eggs here first time I've fixed a puncture in around 15 years all advice gratefully recieved :roll:
Think I'll be doing the same from now on...
The piece of glass was tiny and stuck deep in the tyre, but couldn't feel it from inside. Can only guess once the tyre was pumped up and my weight combined pushed it through enough to puncture the inner tube.
When you're checking for flints or glass in the tyre why not use your bike light. In fact why not use your finger and run it around the outside and inside of the tyre. Even in daylight I usually find the offending item using touch rather than sight.
And for future reference you should have shouldered the bike and run, cyclocross style. Extra training innit!
I've done that twice before.
Just mind your wheels - the rims could easily take a pasting and that could become rather expensive very quickly.
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2012 Colnago CX-1
2015 Colnago AC-R
Exeter Wheelers
But people do strange things when they are drugged up
I did that, had to buy a new tyre and nearly had to buy a new wheel. Lance didn't have to pay for anything.
well until now at least
bet he was on tubs though!
i went about a mile on a totally flat clincher last week as stopping to fix it would make me late, between the wet roads and the squirming/slipping tyre it really wasn't fun, every corner was a leap into the unknown, slowest mile i ever rode
My front is just a little flashy thing and I ran my fingers round inside and out several time looking for the offending piece of glass.... Mmm running my fingers round looking for broken glass.... :shock:
Definatly be investing in a more practical front light soon
nothing slow about these, once it started to go flat it was flat within mins...
Yep sounds exactly the same as my fun evening, only found it after got the bike home..
At this time of year if I didn't ride at night I'd hardly get out at all. I'm just glad the wind's dropped.
Decent lights and appropriate clothing and you'll be fine
If you want to be a strong rider you have to do strong things.
However if you train like a cart horse you'll race like one.