no motor?

I was pedaling home last night in the 20% chance of rain we had yesterday when I heard what sounded like broken glass bouncing off the spokes of the rear wheel followed by the sounds of rapidly escaping air and then the noise tires make when you ride on them when they're flat. I was about 2 miles from home and didn't want to walk or try to patch the tire in the rain so I called the GF for a ride. I kept figuring I could get a few more rides in before the weather got worse too, now I know that I'm done until I fix some of my other stuff...

chefisaac

fix stuff? like what? You just had a flat right?

newkie

Flats are annoying, I had 6 in the space of 2 months last winter. It was very discouraging. The rain seems to find all the accumulated broken glass and wash it in to the bike lanes in some areas. Ultimately I bought a cheap bike rack off ebay to make pickups or drop-offs to the lbs easier. Anyhow, blow off some steam and maybe get some tougher tyres and you'll get the itch again soon.

Mattrek

It might be discouraging, but its not the end of the world. Part of riding a bike is getting flats, just like having a baby means changing diapers.

Steely Dan

patch that tube up, or throw a new tube in there, and get rolling. flats should never discourage one from riding.

if you hate flats so much that you think you ain't gonna ride again, maybe an investment in some marathon pluses would be to your advantage?

Easy Peasy

Good lights help avoid debris of course. I also carry a small hand broom and clean up broken bottles on my route.

fastbartender

hey, here comes crazy bicycle broom guy! ::breaks another beer bottle in the street:: wooo! I got a flat in the rain the other day, I was only about a mile away from home and I just rode it on the rim. Thank you, 70's steel Raleigh Sports!

cccorlew

If you tried that around here the goatheads would still get you, and you'd never get home because you'd be sweeping glass for endless hours. But it's a nice thought!

Mattrek

I understand the purpose, but if I saw that I would double over in laughter. We all have our quirks I guess.

canyoneagle

cehowardGS

Come on man, it don't get any better than that. Getting stranding on the road, GF comes picks you, that is freakin heaven.. Fix the flat, and get back to rollin. That is, unless you just a little tired of riding for a while. Do you still get that rush when you get on the bike, or is it like a drag, and here I go again. Well, if it is like the latter, take a break for a while.. Sheesh, I am 71, and I can't wait to go to sleep so I can wake up to take the ride in the morning darkness, and that is with motorcycle and bike.

Either way, if you don't ride no more this season, the old man will ride a couple extra miles for ya!!

no motor?

I had a flat after the dishwasher sprung a leak and I found out the new better(?) computer purchased to replace my old computer when the power supply died wont run a program I need for work. I'm also looking to find a new bank for my condo owners association funds, and wasn't planning on riding after it got below freezing anyway.

no motor?

I'm thinking I'm done riding outside for the winter, I'll be riding the trainer and looking out the window until it warms up again.

no motor?

I was thinking of the one flat I had on my motorcycle out in the country back before cell phones were so common, and how I took the easy way out last night. I could have changed the tube there or walked the 2 miles home (and been warm and dry on the walk), but appreciated that she was able to pick me up like that. And it was kind of payback for helping her out at an event over the weekend.

no motor?

Wish you were riding ahead of me last night.

ThermionicScott 

Can't blame a guy for wanting to take a break and recharge the batteries now and then.

Kojak

I'll ride down to freezing, after that too easy to go down and none of my bikes will take Marathon Winter tires. Fortunately the temps here rarely drop into the freezing range. Other than that, there are no bad riding days, only bad equipment/clothing days. A well maintained bike with fenders, and good winter clothing will generally keep you from being miserable.

wolfchild

That's a cheap and poor excuse for not riding. Why not just get a frame that has clearence for larger studded tires ??

c3hamby

You got a flat and you are thinking about quitting for the season?

If I were you, I would sell the bike and get a car. You gotta be more determined than that to ride a bike.

cehowardGS

It is all cool! The last flat I got on my motorcycle, my wife had to come (on a Sunday, and daytime)and save me with fix-a flat, and the she later plugged the tire too!! Oh yeah, she did all that, I am just a rider.. but, we be bless to have our SO come to our aid, a super blessing!!

Either way, if you ride or don't ride the rest of the season, enjoy, and that goes for the GF too...

Kojak

I guess my comment isn't entirely true on two points. I do generally commute on colder snowy days when we get them, but it's on my circa 1993 mountain bike. It could take studded tires but I don't find it necessary here, the knobby tires that I have are good enough considering the length of my commute. Mentally when I think of commuting it's on my road bikes and with 5 bikes in the stable that are mine, plus my wife's bike and our kids bikes, I'm having trouble getting yet another bike through the finance committee, it's a committee of two, tie means we discuss it further..... sort of a defacto fillibuster. So, to modify my statement, I don't commute on my "commuter" below freezing.

Better?

scroca

And if I saw it I'd stop and help if I could, or at least give him a high five for doing all of us a favor.

When I run at lunch, I often travel along some of my commute route and kick glass or throw it off the MUP as best I can. Hard to keep up with those drunks though.

Blues Frog

I had a ride in a headwind, 21*F, and some ice patches from our weekend rain. I hate to see you quit due to a flat.The temp doesn't bother me until there is a fierce headwind and below -15*F. Then I have to adapt. But you should do what you wish to do. That makes the riding more fun.

tjspiel

I saw a guy who had a special mount attached to his bike just for carrying a broom. He gave the same reason for it as Easy Peasy. I think it's a great form of public service.

mbryant52

Slow down there. You do have to be more determined than that to ride a bike, but there's no reason to discourage him to the point of driving a car. Rather, we should encourage him to be a bit tougher, get some rain gear, accept the weather for what it is, and keep pedaling.