Andy, I hadn't ridden much for years but now for the past 4 months much more extensively on the new bike. Except for once I've not been further away from my car than an hour or less walk back if I had a flat. I just haven't gotten around to everything with the bike yet. I have a replacement tube but have just started checking videos on changing tubes and removing the rear tire. Over years of riding on pavement I never had a flat with my old Raleigh 10 speed. Now I'm riding with wider tires with some leaf and branch droppings on the paved trail, so you're right, I should be prepared for a flat. I did have one form a thorn on the front tire that didn't go flat until the next day after the ride.