I went over 1000 miles with only one goat-head slow leak. Then last monday, I got a staple to the tire, and another goat-head today. GRR!

Anyhow, I take the spare tube that every commuter should have with them, and put it on, then when I get to my destination, I patch the damaged tube and store it in my seat pack for next time.

Basically, I patch until an irreperable flat hits. Usually that's the base of the valve stem, but a blow out or slice would be a deal-breaker, too. Then, the old tube becomes a bunch of rubber bands (slice it vertically into rubber bands to recycle it by re-using it even once it's apparently used up!)