I'm feeling better about a habit I've developed, and understand it won't work for everyone. My daily schedule is pretty tight. So, when I carve out time for a ride, I typically can't afford to take much more time than allotted. Because of this I always pump up the tires to two bikes before a ride - just in case something happens like the OP's situation. In the past year, I've made three trips back to the house after only a block or two away because something was amiss. I simply pull the other bike off the rack and go. It takes a lot of stress out of the tight situation.
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A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking. - S. Wright
Favorite rides in the stable: Indy Fab CJ Ti - Colnago MXL - S-Works Roubaix - Habanero Team Issue - Jamis Eclipse carbon/831