Lessons learnt today

[Darren Gregory]

Hello all

Thought I might share some thoughts today after my failed commute to work.

I usually commute about 10-12k each morning and evening to my Mothers house and then we car share to work. Occasionally when required I will cycle the whole route about 30k each way. Mother is off today and for the rest of the week so I had all my clothing prepared and all seemed set for this morning.

I set off at 05:00 to ensure that I could get to work nice and early shower and get some flexi time in, I also feel that leaving a bit earlier means less traffic. I am travelling from Bordon & Whitehill in Hampshire to Guildford Surrey. My route is thought Grayshott, Handheld, Milford and Godalming.

This morning along a short stretch of the A3 cycle path I had a double blow out. It was quite a surprise and oddly there seemed to be a lot of "Fizz". I found a safe spot to check over the bike and found I had two flat tyres. So got my tools out. I had a repair kit and one spare tube. So I thought repair the front tube and replace the rear.

I run Continental GP 4 Seasons and I find they are really difficult to get on and off the Alex rims that came stock on my Arkose 3 2015. After some time I got the puncture repaired and the tyre back on. I then came to inflate the tyre using a CO2 canister but in the process I managed to bend the valve and most of the gas expelled into the air.

Result a walk back to Thursday to await a lift home. On walking back to Thursley I scanned the area that I punctured, by now it was starting to get brighter and on foot I had the time to look. I found on the footpath a lot of brown glass and an unopened bottle of ale. I suspect that I may have struck a bottle causing the punctures and the "fizz".

So lessons learnt:

One inner tube is not enough
I have mixed feelings about CO2 but clearly relying solely on CO2 is perhaps not the best idea, time to invest in a mini pump?
5-10 minutes saved using the A3 cycle path is perhaps not worth the grief considering the amount of debris.

My thoughts again turn to tubeless tyres but would they have survived the incident? I have so far been very impressed with the Continentals.

Well thanks for reading, I think I have finally warmed up now. I've called work to tell them I am not coming in today so can now get to work and fix the bike.

Have a great day everyone.

 

[Deleted member 35268]

With hindsight, there's always a better way.

I always have two inner tubes for any ride, and my beloved "Crankbrothers: Tire Lever Speedier Lever" which gets any tyre off, no matter how tight.
Another item I have a Lezyne Tech Drive HP Pump which has a traditional flex hose (this prevents some of the bend you get on valves using thedirect to valve approach.
And finally, my ultimate bail out item I bring is some CRIVIT Sealant Spray which you chuck into your inner tube if you are in a hurry and just want to get back.
I don't carry any inner tube repair kit or C02.
So, that's three possible punctures I allow for my usual 15 mile or 40 mile rides I do.

 

[ianrauk]

I carry a pump along with C02

 

[martint235]

If you don't have a mini pump how do you get the small amount of air into the tube to be able to fit it properly?

I always carry two tubes but there's probably going to be a day when that's not enough.

And your story just re-inforces my views on cycle paths.....

 

[Tim Hall]

If you don't have a mini pump how do you get the small amount of air into the tube to be able to fit it properly?

As the lady said "you just put your lips together and blow".

 

[rugby bloke]

I was about to post the same about cycle paths ... does anyone have one on their ride that is pleasant to cycle on ? I've found that since changing from a mtb to a road bike they have become no go areas.

 

[Arrowfoot]

60k commute - I am stunned!! Also impressed by OP's calm post shortly after the debacle.

 

[Sharky]

Result a walk back to Thursday to await a lift home.

Ahhhhh - time travel - good option when all else fails.

Cheers Keith

 

[Darren Gregory]

60k commute - I am stunned!! Also impressed by OP's calm post shortly after the debacle.

The post was a good two hours after the incident. I had time to calm down.

 

[Darren Gregory]

Ahhhhh - time travel - good option when all else fails.

Cheers Keith

Brilliant! Good old auto correct. Should have been Thursley.

 

[Darren Gregory]

I was about to post the same about cycle paths ... does anyone have one on their ride that is pleasant to cycle on ? I've found that since changing from a mtb to a road bike they have become no go areas.

Most of my cycling doesn't include cycle paths. This particular stretch is just a footpath next to the A3. It is really unpleasant and the more I think about it the more I think sod the time saved, enjoy a longer route.

 

[Darren Gregory]

With hindsight, there's always a better way.

I always have two inner tubes for any ride, and my beloved "Crankbrothers: Tire Lever Speedier Lever" which gets any tyre off, no matter how tight.
Another item I have a Lezyne Tech Drive HP Pump which has a traditional flex hose (this prevents some of the bend you get on valves using thedirect to valve approach.
And finally, my ultimate bail out item I bring is some CRIVIT Sealant Spray which you chuck into your inner tube if you are in a hurry and just want to get back.
I don't carry any inner tube repair kit or C02.
So, that's three possible punctures I allow for my usual 15 mile or 40 mile rides I do.

Thanks for the response I will investigate your suggestions, the speedier lever sounds interesting.

 

[Darren Gregory]

Okay so front tyre pumped up after replacing the inner tube and despite checking the tyre when it was off the rim I didn't see this slash, only becomes apparent when pumping up. I guess that the tyre dead then?

 

[Racing roadkill]

That sounds awful.

 

[Darren Gregory]

Checked the rear tyre and it has also been cut.

here is the outside:

And the inside:

Anyone have any experience of attempting to repair cuts like these? I'm thinking maybe superglue the cut and then use a normal repair patch not the inside?