Tough week for tires/tubes
 

This week I had a difficult week. On Tuesday night I got a pinch flat. Putting in the new tube, in the dark and cold, and I punctured that one. Tried to patch it, but must not have done it well enough. Ended up having to be picked up by wife. That night I took the first tube and patched the two holes and put it on the wheel in the morning. All seemed well. Rode to work and made it, which was lucky because around noon I walked past my bike and saw the wheel was flat. The patch got a leak in it... So, tried again to patch the second tube in the light, but that patch job didn't work either. Finally put a new tube in. This tube was good, except the part where I inflated to over 90psi with my hand pump only to have the valve come out when taking the pump off the tire, oh and that happened twice. My arms are still sore...

That was good for Wednesday evening and Thursday. Thursday night I must have hit something sharp because when I was getting my bike out this morning I discovered a nice gouge on each tire. The rear one was especially deep, with a bubble starting to appear.
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=502732http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=502733

I decided not to ride, especially without a spare tube.

I had ordered new tires that day just in case, but I got them from England not knowing that I would need them so soon. I guess I'll take the hybrid out to work until I get the tires and tubes.

Had to get that all out.

A couple weeks ago I was riding home from work in the dark and cold night. A fellow commuter was up ahead and I wanted to catch up to say hello. While hauling tail, I hit something hard. I don't know if it was a pothole or a rock or what. But 50 yards down the road I noticed my rear tire was flat. Luckily I had a spare tube so thought no big deal. I replaced the rear tube and re-inflated rear tire. I flipped the bike over and went to take off only to realize the front was also flat. And I was out of spare tubes with no patch kit.

I ended up walking the rest of the way home which was approximately 3.5 miles. It was cold and sucked. I now take TWO spare tubes on the bike and a patch kit. Hopefully no more walking home for me. I've noticed the winter season is a lot harsher on tires/tubes than spring, summer, or fall.

I had three flats this week. Two while en route in the morning. Each was different. I'm changing out my rear tire, as it isn't able to withstand the debris, salt and whatnot left behind from our snow treatment. It was a frustrating week, but I learned exactly how able I am to get back on the road after a stop to repair a rear tire on my commuter. So, that's good, I guess...

I've changed two flats this week. Must be flat week.

Despite winter, goatheads still got me on the MUT.

I don't know what it is, but for me flats come in waves. I can go months with nothing, but if I get one flat I get three. Sometimes it might have to do with doing something wrong when installing a new tube, but more often, there's no logical correlation. Last week, I got a rear flat, and two days later got a front flat. I'm waiting for yet another one, cause that seems to be the way it goes.

Yes, flats come in waves,. Had 2 in 2 days. One was two staples/tire steel belts go through the rear and the next day the front tube presta valve decided to separate itself from the tube. At least the last one happened at home, the rear tire flat ended up being a 7 mile walk home at night.

It wasn't just me then. I've been on my hybrid this week while I wait for the new tires to arrive. I miss the drops, especially going into the wind, and the tighter gearing of my road bike. Also, I feel silly wearing my bike tights/bibs on a hybrid for some reason...