Boudicca

That was the pump I was using. I used to love it because it's so small and light and really gets good pressure. The misadventure was with a 48 mm Presta valve on Shimano 105 rims (so fairly deep rims). And as I unscrewed the pump, the whole valve came away from the (Continental) tube. Twice. I don't know if it was a flaw in the tube, or a flaw in the pump, but I was not a happy camper.

RPK79

Sounds like more of an issue with the tube than the pump.

Dudelsack 

Ja ja ja, das wooskies alles. I'm staying with CO2 until they pry the cartridge out of my cold dead fingers.

Or until I get screwed over by it.

One nice thing about riding bents is I carry 5-6 CO2 cartridges and two replacement tubes and a patch kit, and I run Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires. If I can't make do with that, I deserve to walk home.

Rick@OCRR

I carry a pump (Topeak Speed Master Blaster) and 2 CO2 carts. w/inflator bit plus 2 tubes but skip the patch kit now since I've had trouble with the glue drying out (even if the tube was un-opened!) and the glueless patches not working well at all.

Oh, plus I carry a Park "tire boot" or two since they've saved me a couple of times when a tire has been brutally slashed by something evil on the road. I usually carry a cell phone but if I'm out in the boonies I turn it off since (when left on) it will hunt for signals and use up its battery. I turn it back on when (and if) I need it.

Rick / OCRR

crazyb

One tube, 2 C02, one quik stik, cell phone. People that have problems with c02 don't know how to properly use it. 2 or 3 tubes? I rarely have 3 flats in an entire season let alone on one ride. Say kevlar when you purchase tires. Or if thorns are a problem go tubeless.

Wogster

My kit varies slightly, based on distance, and where I am riding. Rides in the city, I carry a frame mounted pump, a spare tube, and $3 in change. The change will allow me to treat one of our excellent transit vehicles as a SAG to get home.

Rural rides, under 25km, I carry one spare tube, over 25km and under 50km, I add a second tube, over 50km and I add a third tube. Each bike has a bag on it with a set of tire levers, and the appropriate tube. Tubes that get punctured, are repaired, in bulk, then I give the glue 24 hours to set, and pressure test the patch, if it's good, I let the air out, and repack the tube as a spare. I'll also throw in a chain breaker and some other tools on 50km+ rides.

Something else to add, is a few baby wipes in a zipper bag, then after changing a flat or re-seating a chain, you have something to get at least a partial cleanup. You can also carry a couple of pairs of disposable gloves, you can put those on to keep your hands clean while doing repair work.

capejohn

Whatever the circumstances, it's a nice feeling to help someone out. Good for you.

Dave Cutter

Years ago I dated an intercity girl. Although she was an adult woman my own age when I knew her... she still felt apprehensive if in a rural area. Her comfort level was in groups or people (crowded buildings, streets, or traffic). Meeting a stranger in an isolated area would have terrified her.

Biker395 

^ Good point. You never know a stranger's pain.

Speaking of neato tricks, this is pretty sweet:

.be

RPK79

I dated a woman like that who was 33 at the time.