As a result of my laziness, I had the pleasure of a long walk today. I left the house for a short ride, and didn't take any of my gear that was in my pack (pump, tubes, patches - the important stuff). I just loaded up the Camelbak and headed out.

"I'll just stay in the neighborhood," I told myself. But over an hour later I we cutting up a few trails about 5 miles from home. BEAUTIFUL weather, everything was going perfect until I heard that wonderful hissing sound of the precious air leaving my tires. Two flat tires, comin' up! Luckily, I was "only" about 5 miles from home, so I started walking, singing, cussing; you name it. The rest of the ride/walk was uneventful.

Oh well, at least I got to ride today!

bummer!

you should get an under saddle bag for tube/patches and a frame pump. That way you can get on and go without every thinking. And not thinking is my specialty

A classic "out and back" ride!

Make sure you check the glue in your patch kit once in a while also - like when you change your batteries in the smoke detector And you might want to check to see if your tubes are the right size. Trust me a 26x1 tube will not fit in a flat 700Cx35 tire And you might want to make sure that your only tube is well seated inside the tire before you pump it up to 110psi. Or that you reach for that valve stem just a little bit quicker before the tire blows of the rim.

Just a few reasons for long cold walks in the last month.

Stuart Black

Been there and unfortunately I know your pain

Remeber that add for a Topeak tools(??) "discover a new sport: hiking"
Ive discovered hiking twice, both as a result of a blown tyre.

I hate when I do that.
Don't you feel like such a fool pushing your bike?

My local bike club actually has a category for this type of ride. We call 'em Fiebock rides. A Fiebock is a ride that requires 4 Continental Divide crossings, takes 12 hours to complete, is no less than 60 miles long and requires at least 5 miles of uphill bicycle pushing. Bonus points if you get caught in 3 thunderstorms. Double bonus points if it hails. Triple bonus points if it snows Quad. points if the date in anytime in July

Stuart Black

Strange as it may seem, I go on 5+ mile walks on purpose.

Yes, but do you go for 5-mile walks with your bike slung over your shoulder?

I've had my share of these kinds of rides. I once rode a rear flat ...thump....thump....thump... for 18 miles because I was too proud (or pissed) to call my friend to come and get me. It's my price to pay for my own stupidity; no need involving innocent people, right?

My cycle club in my town gives you 1 free taxi ride every year if you break down on your bike. Only costs $10 a year to be in the club too!

I <3 Castlewood Canyon!

ewww, I did that last week! But, I was so p!ssed, I rode quite I bit on the flat wheel. It was soft flat ground mostly. I still have to see what damage I did to the rim. (I don't want to look!) Luckily I have other bikes to ride. grummble, grumble...

That five mile would have been difficult in the North east with 18 inches of snow on the ground!

I frequently combine walking an cycling together. It's great to walk with the bike in the center of different towns to have lunch.

Do they give you a telepathic link to summon the taxi service or do you have to yell really loud? Good idea in theory, but a tube + patch kit is what, $3?

Why would you need to sling it over your shoulder?

I had two flats (front and rear) on the mtn bike 5 miles out or so, and with no patching or pumping or other material *my first ride!) and I just let the bike roll as I walked.

Is there soemthing I was doing wrong - do folks normally sling their bike - I don't think I have ever seen this???

I've never "had" to myself ( ::knocks wood:: ) but a buddy of mine had a blowout which destroyed the tire badly enough that he couldn't roll it (at least, not comfortably). And I suppose if you have a large investment in rims you probably don't want to take any risks. In that case, the taxi ride starts to look a little more feasible

I just rolled mine, no problems. I just held it by the stem and walked alongside. Every few minutes the pedal would hit me in the back of my calf - that REALLY pissed me off.

It happened to me as well a few weeks ago. I call it THE WALK OF SHAME!
I was fortunate though, I neighbor saw me after only a mile walk and gave me a lift.

I carry a tube, patch kit and pump. In all instances of misfortune so far though, the tool of choice has been my cell phone.

Taxis in this stupid town wont take a bicycle unless they have a van available. I have also rolled the bike with uninflated (to me the "f" word is bad luck) tires without damaging the rims.

For me, it would be faster to walk to the nearest train station, and take the train home, than to take off the wheel and replace the tube.

Train station. ha ha ha That's cute. You're not from around here, are you?

I would sling it over my shoulder because it looks cooler. And it would attract attention from passing motorists who might feel compelled to offer me a lift.

Yeah, sure - as soon as I can find a "train!" Closest one is about 30 miles, and it only runs twice a day.