Picked up our Dawes Galaxy Twin from the LBS this afternoon, very green and very shiny:



Since there is no chance of getting it in the car, I decided I would ride it solo the 25 miles home, reasoning that this would be a good opportunity to get used to the handling of the bike before we took it out for a proper ride.

Four miles down the road and in the pouring rain I hear that sound - psssssssssssssssssss... puncture in the front tyre. A small piece of wire is poking out of the tyre. At this point I find I have no patch kit with me just a spare tube, but the tube is for up to 700x28c and the tyres are 35s. Needless to say, I rode home with what can only be described as a partially inflated front tyre wondering whether the overstretched tube would blow out at any moment.

I learned my lesson: Always have the right kit with you, even brand new bikes get punctures.

Here's hoping we get some more enjoyable rides in this weekend!