Misery Needs Company
#1
~>~
Thread Starter
Misery Needs Company
I was driving my old pickup truck home from town this AM in steady mid-40F drizzle on a local Hill Country road when I saw a cyclist on the roadside, rear wheel off and cell-phone in hand. I pulled over and asked the obvious "You OK?"
Hypothermia is no joke, this very fit guy on a local club with lots of experience had flatted and shot both CO2 cartridges into Bexar County's atmosphere with zero effect on his flat. That will not get you home.
He sat with me listening to Steve Earle w/ the heater on full until a friend came out to drag his wet *** home.
Some things here:
1) Always carry a pump, they reliably put air in tires. Bring CO2 also if you feel the need.
b) Carry your 'phone, if someone will come and fetch you in inconvenient remote rural spots at odd hours.
iii) You are next.
-Bandera
Hypothermia is no joke, this very fit guy on a local club with lots of experience had flatted and shot both CO2 cartridges into Bexar County's atmosphere with zero effect on his flat. That will not get you home.
He sat with me listening to Steve Earle w/ the heater on full until a friend came out to drag his wet *** home.
Some things here:
1) Always carry a pump, they reliably put air in tires. Bring CO2 also if you feel the need.
b) Carry your 'phone, if someone will come and fetch you in inconvenient remote rural spots at odd hours.
iii) You are next.
-Bandera
Last edited by Bandera; 01-08-14 at 06:58 PM.
#2
just another gosling
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 19,501
Bikes: CoMo Speedster 2003, Trek 5200, CAAD 9, Fred 2004
Mentioned: 115 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3873 Post(s)
Liked 1,920 Times
in
1,369 Posts
I've seen this happen so many times. Even a pump isn't perfect. After having a pump go bum on me at an inconvenient time and place, now I'm much more careful about pump maintenance. Also 2 tubes plus a patch kit. Plus a spare tire if I'm going anywhere interesting. Many places I ride don't have cell coverage.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: western Massachusetts (greater Springfield area)
Posts: 699
Bikes: Velosolex St. Tropez, LeMond Zurich (spine bike), Rotator swb recumbent
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 67 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 67 Times
in
32 Posts
I also carry a pump, 2 tubes and a patch kit. The pump also allows you to pump up the dead tube to look for the hole if you can't immediately see it so you can pull the offending item out of the tire.
#4
~>~
Thread Starter
Pumps, and all systems should be tested at least every season. My 2 favorite Silcas get a wipe of grease of the leather plunger every winter.
It's not a pump if it doesn't inflate.... take some tubes, a patch kit doesn't weigh much......
-Bandera
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Posts: 4,812
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1591 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,015 Times
in
570 Posts
I carry one tube and two CO2 cartridges. If that doesn't get it done, I've got a cell phone and my wife is usually home.
Having said that, I'll soon end up stuck at the furthest possible point from home and my wife will be sleeping and won't answer the phone.
Having said that, I'll soon end up stuck at the furthest possible point from home and my wife will be sleeping and won't answer the phone.
#6
Semper Fi
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,942
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1172 Post(s)
Liked 358 Times
in
241 Posts
Good on you for stopping and letting him soak up some warm while he waited for his friend. What you did is the way things should be with all of we cyclist. Well done, sir, well done.
Bill
Bill
__________________
Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Fort Worth TX
Posts: 139
Bikes: Trek Madone4.5, Fuji Newest, DaVinci Joint Venture, Pacific Dually, Kuota K Factor Thruster
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I'm another obsessive. I carry two tubes, patch kit with unopened glue, 2 CO2 cartridges and a cell phone. I test my pump on at least 1 flat a season. I think my best tube has 3 patches on it.
#8
Senior Member
While you were chatting, did he explain why the CO2 cartridges didn't work?
__________________
Momento mori, amor fati.
Momento mori, amor fati.
#9
~>~
Thread Starter
-Bandera
#10
~>~
Thread Starter
You know how it is.
Tough for a 4% body fat young stud to admit that he was improperly prepared to someone old enough to be his grandfather.
How would he know I've been cycling long before he was born? It wasn't a topic of conversation, Steve Earle was.
Hypothermia is not be trifled with, been there myself.
-Bandera
#11
Senior Member
Just wondering. The only time I've had problems with CO2 was when I first got it and didn't know what I was doing. No problems since.
As cold as it's been, though, no one should fault him for venting it into the atmosphere.
As cold as it's been, though, no one should fault him for venting it into the atmosphere.
__________________
Momento mori, amor fati.
Momento mori, amor fati.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: D'uh... I am a Cutter
Posts: 6,159
Bikes: '17 Access Old Turnpike Gravel bike, '14 Trek 1.1, '13 Cannondale CAAD 10, '98 CAD 2, R300
Mentioned: 62 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1571 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times
in
9 Posts
I am big on being prepared and having back-up gear... and back-up gear to the back-up gear. Whether driving or cycling. But we can never predict when equipment failure, accident/injury, illness, or even criminal assault might leave us in need of help.
I hope everyone takes the time and makes the effort that Bandera did.
Last edited by Dave Cutter; 01-08-14 at 08:45 PM.
#13
Trek 500 Kid
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Spokane WA
Posts: 2,565
Bikes: '83 Trek 970 road --- '86 Trek 500 road
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2904 Post(s)
Liked 380 Times
in
305 Posts
I always offer my Silca and patches to anyone I see on the road flatted out. Gives me the excuse to stop for a rest if they ever take me up on it.
#14
Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 25
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: vermont
Posts: 3,091
Bikes: Many
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times
in
10 Posts
I rarely ever see cyclists on the road but motorists have stopped in bad weather conditions to offer assistance during puncture repair. I also carry one of those folded Mylar emergency blankets in case nothing works and I have to hunker down. They take up very little space.
#18
Senior Member
I rarely ever see cyclists on the road but motorists have stopped in bad weather conditions to offer assistance during puncture repair. I also carry one of those folded Mylar emergency blankets in case nothing works and I have to hunker down. They take up very little space.
__________________
Momento mori, amor fati.
Momento mori, amor fati.
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: St Peters, Missouri
Posts: 30,225
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1572 Post(s)
Liked 642 Times
in
363 Posts
Also, before berating anybody for venting CO2 into the atmosphere, where did it come from in the first place?
__________________
My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Shenandoah Valley, VA
Posts: 273
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Number of years ago helped a young fellow who had flatted and was waaaayyyy out of cell phone range. No spare, no kit, nothing. Fortunately we were out in our mini van and were able to take both him and his bike to a nearby town. Nice young man but hadn't realized how remote he would be.
I carry two spare tubes, 3 CO2 cartridges, patch kit and a frame pump. Also carry my cell phone but can't be sure I'll reach someone who can help. The mylar blanket is a great idea. I've got a couple from marathons that I ran that I can pack up quite small and carry in a jersey pocket.
I carry two spare tubes, 3 CO2 cartridges, patch kit and a frame pump. Also carry my cell phone but can't be sure I'll reach someone who can help. The mylar blanket is a great idea. I've got a couple from marathons that I ran that I can pack up quite small and carry in a jersey pocket.
#21
Senior Member
I carry my trusty - and vintage - Zefal HP aluminum frame pump, one new-in-package tube, levers and a patch kit. I still use a seat bag - not a wedge - to carry a bunch of tools. I never had a cell phone until a few years ago.
Last edited by Cougrrcj; 01-09-14 at 06:51 PM.
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: D'uh... I am a Cutter
Posts: 6,159
Bikes: '17 Access Old Turnpike Gravel bike, '14 Trek 1.1, '13 Cannondale CAAD 10, '98 CAD 2, R300
Mentioned: 62 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1571 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times
in
9 Posts
Although I live in a city today I am originally from a rural area. And sometimes when I ride out into the country I ask myself.... if there was a problem ether with my bike or my body... how difficult would this be today. Admittedly... throwing a bike on my shoulder and hiking a few miles isn't a sport that would normally interest me. But if it happens... it won't turn me off of cycling ether. I did call the wife to come get me once when I had a flat 3-4 miles from home in a cold rain.
I am not completely convinced that a medical emergency on the road would be much worst than one in the privacy of my own bed or bathroom. A crash left me in need of assistance once while on a remote bike path. I know it wasn't ten minutes before another cyclist came along and helped me remount my bicycle... so I could ride out. But if I rolled down the stairs while home alone.... it's not likely anyone else will be strolling or cycling by.
Last edited by Dave Cutter; 01-09-14 at 08:32 AM.
#23
Conquer Cancer rider
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Toronto
Posts: 6,039
Bikes: Fun bike, city bike, Bike Friday, Brompton (also fun bikes)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
One pump, one tube, one patch kit, one cellphone. Worked just fine until the (Lezyne) pump decided to unscrew the valve from the spare tube -- twice -- as I was pumping up the tire at the end of the change-the-flat process. Friend stopped with a CO2 cartridge, and that got me home, so I'm going to start carrying this one now (it happened on the last long ride of the season, of course).
I switched the Lezyne pump out to the Road Morph. I love the tiny Lezyne for its lack of weight and bulk, but the screw-on idea just doesn't seem to work so well.
I switched the Lezyne pump out to the Road Morph. I love the tiny Lezyne for its lack of weight and bulk, but the screw-on idea just doesn't seem to work so well.
__________________
Zero gallons to the mile
Zero gallons to the mile
#24
Senior Member
The only time co2 let me down on a road tire was when I was too much in a hurry, and too damn dumb to check the inside of the tire. A small peice of wire put a whole hole in a brand new tube I just put in. Other than that, co2 has served me well on the road.
#25
Senior Member
Reminds me of a story. My wife and I were driving in the middle of nowhere in western Colorado and I see this cyclist, but he was going along pretty good. I always carry a cooler of water so I though I would stop and give him a bottle. I got out held the bottle out and he blew right by me. Not a word out of him. Sometimes it make you wonder.
Yes I carry 2 tubes, two co2 and a pump.
Yes I carry 2 tubes, two co2 and a pump.
__________________
George
George