Road Cycling - >>> Flat Tire during Group Ride <<< /srch kw: flat blowout blow out)

OK, I searched every topic containing the word "flat" and did not see this subject addressed, although I'd be surprised if nobody has asked it before.

Q: What is the "correct" way to handle a sudden flat tire during a group ride?

I was riding in a group of maybe 20 riders when I got a flat. Dry conditions, no cars in sight, a long, level-ground, straight section of road. I was somewhere in the front half and on the left (inner) side of a more-or-less double-paceline. The flat took me quite by surprise when I suddenly felt bare metal on asphalt. Being on the left side, I naturally started drifting further to the left as I slowed.

Apparently my instincts were incorrect, because from behind me I suddenly hear lots of shouting, and I was promptly reprimanded for screwing up and nearly causing a big pile up. I also got a comment that I need to "learn to control my bike."

Now, maybe my ego is getting in the way of my judgment, but I don't think it was my bike-handling skills at fault. I think I have pretty darn good "control" of my bike. What I apparently lack is a formulaic, pre-determined course of action that will keep my emergency from becoming the group's emergency.

I don't doubt the riders behind me had a legit complaint, but because I did not see it from their vantage point I am not sure why veering gradually left and slowing was the wrong choice. Clearly, I could not have moved to the right, and I don't see how remaining in line would have been any better. The only clear-cut mistake I can spot is not shouting out "flat."

So what IS the right way to handle the situation?

[QUOTE=Towlie]OK, I searched every topic containing the word "flat" and did not see this subject addressed, although I'd be surprised if nobody has asked it before.

Q: What is the "correct" way to handle a sudden flat tire during a group ride?

Don't think there is a Ms. Manners books for cyclists, so here is my real world opinion. The same situation happened to me about 2 mos. ago (I had just gotten back into road/group riding after many years). I felt the old tire wobble, knew what was happening, loudly said flat and steadily, but not drastically started making my way over to the right shoulder of the road. My experience on groups goes like this; they consist of a bunch of smart, very opinionated, usually close to or over middle age crowd (hint, patience is waining), everyone has spent a fair amount or tons of money for their setups so they are touchy about them being damaged, for my group it's early in the morning so people are a little grumpy and if there are mainly guys in the group, the testosterone levels are high.

Don't let one dumb comment from someone who probably didn't know you flatted affect you. We all get flats and experience equipment problems. My feeling is, let people know what is going on, make your move over, but don't do anything drastic.

One added bonus of letting people know you are flatting is that there's a good chance someone will help you to fix it or hand you an extra tube.... :D



- Michael on the Texas Coast

Hey - sh*t happens - I think all you could do is yell out FLAT and give it a few more pedal strokes so as not to disrupt the cadence of the line too much. If 10 people behind you are riding 6" from each other's tire and you slow down suddenly, an accident could happen. With that said, there's only so much you can do.

Yep, yell flat.

After calling out "Flat!", let the folks around you know you're stopping and then slow down gradually. (In practice, this works better for a rear flat than a front one. :) )

Deffinitely agree, I asked same question in my ride group (lots of ex-pros, however quite old 50-60 years) and they said the same: shout that you have got the flat (even few times as neccessary), don't do abrupt moves, just slowly slow down, so the others behind won't hit you. Obviously I would disrupt the "cadence" of others, but this will lead to avoiding crashes