Originally Posted by 79pmooney

Tire tread (pattern and probably much more important - compound) makes a huge difference n goat head pickup. Some tires are magnets, other far less so.

2010, I rode my first Cycle Oregon in goat head country. Having heard lots of warnings, I put on the Rubino Pros I hated (because in the wet they were treacherous - the tires have changed a lot since). Had zero flats that week. Goatheads made that year and two years later such a headache for the mechanics Cycle Oregon acquired a street sweeper! Last year I rode the Vittoria Corsa G+ tires, far better gripping tires and decent but no t great for road debris affinity. I had several goathead flats despite the swept streets. (Probably inattention at rest stops.)

If I were you, I'd keep my eyes and ears open for what tire out there now is a low-pickup tire and use them for the 2 months. (And perhaps also the liners, thick tubes and slime but the first defense is not picking up the thorn in the first place.)

Ben