I left out without a spare tube/pump/patches and tire levers. Glad it didn't happen in the pitch dark of the morning leg of my commute. It happened when I decided to go for a lunch run on the bike. Did a fast run on the decent leaving my job, really kicking some speed too. Get on the subway, and thinking of all the choices I am going to have for lunch downtown. Exit the subway, and I feel that dreaded drag from the bike.

Sheesh, I looked down, I got a flat!! WTF. I am hungry and supposed to meet somebody too. Okay, the meeting place is 4 blocks away. I walked those 4 blocks. A shuttle that goes right to my job leaves in about a half hour about 2 blocks away. I hit a subway, grab a sanwich, and on the shuttle.

Dam I was mad.. I have caught about 3 flats in the last 4 months, but each time, I got a tube, pump and levers with me. No problem. I left the bike on the job, it is in a locked storeroom, no problem there. Today, I picked it up, with the bike rack on the back of my truck..

Anyway, from no on, I will not break that rule again, and I am going to keep a spare tube a stand up pump at work. Also, keeping a tube and pump on me at ALL TIMES.

Dam, that can really put a damper on a great day.. Plus, I might be running too much pressure, and may be the cause of my flats. I am running about 110 front and rear!!

i run 120 psi in both but use Gatorskins.

Actually, the higher pressure sheds glass better and reduces the number of flats (unless you get a flat from breaking through the rim strip - 100 psi would better to prevent that type of flat).

doesn't matter what you run, if you tempt the gods of flat tires they will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who would attempt to leave on a bicycle without at least a patch kit and co2 bottle.

Yup, the gods of flat tires singled me out. I was having too much fun. The bike was feeling awesome. Even on the first leg of the commute, I get off the sub 3 stops ahead of my stop so I get in a nice ride. I was brandishing new lights and the added more to the fun..

Well, I know not to mess with the flat tire gods NO MORE..

+1 Except I run SMPs. 2 flats in well over 3 years. And that's total on 3 different bikes.

I would definately get a tire that is better at preventing flats, especially since you are in the city where sharp objects are abundant. Try using something with puncture resistance engineered into the tire. The tire that came stock on my Surly Long Haul Trucker has those qualities. Here is a link. I would still try and keep a patch kit and a multitool with built in tire tools handy just in case. I haven't had a flat yet on my bicycle and its coming up on 1 and 1/2 years with no flat.

https://www.biketiresdirect.com/produ...t-tire-26-inch

I'm pretty sure that rule actually is written.

I got a flat the first week with Gatorskins... only because I didnt have my patch kit. Walked 1.5 mi back home. I haven't left without my spare tube and pump and have had no flats since (but that was only 330 miles ago).

FYI, I think my flat was a blowout. I recall hitting a bit of a rut in the road a minute before the flat.

Today, I had to make a short run to a friend's house to fix my stuck stem. It is about 6 miles to his house, I got right at the door, and STOPPED!! Went back in the house, and right there in the kitchen, I had a plastic crate with about 8 boxes of tubes. I grabbed a box, a little seat bag that has tire levers, and my mini pump. Threw all that in my backpack..Needless to say, no flat!! Since I now consider myself a hardcore commuter, thank you, I am even going to have a spare tube, and pump at work too. Now, like you, since we are carrying, the flats will stay away...

Let's say before, I didn't read it.. . Now, since I have read it, I will not break it again..