Anyone ever Flat on Mt. Diablo South Gate Route?
 

Reading the Mt. Diablo Challenge thread has piqued my interest. As someone posted there, I'd likely leave my pump and saddle bag behind. Any opinions or experiences, as to the likelihood of getting a flat on that route? I'm after the "Special T-shirt" - every ounce will count, and no time for mechanicals...

Thanks.

Are you asking if people have flatted? Of course. What are the odds? 100%. 0%. 50%. 31.7%. No one can answer that. The only question(s) & answer(s) that matters is how much do you mind walking and how far if/when you do.

I have not flatted... I've seen people flat on the descent though.. SG is in alright shape compared the NG in my opinion... good luck for under 60... I'm 10-15 minutes away from that.. so I carry it all. :)

A bunch of people have flatted from the goat heads on the roadside near the school. Beware.

But if you flat, your t-shirt quest is over, so why not fix the flat and finish the ride? A single tube, lever, and CO2 cartridge and chuck weigh less than a full water bottle.

Or get a significant other or friend to sag you with a spare pair of wheels/bike.

Probably a reasonable place to take a chance if you want to take the gamble in your quest for under an hour and don't care about finishing if you do happen to puncture. Lots of people will be coming down the hill afterwards both riding and driving and it's likely that someone would stop and help if you're stuck with a disabled bike.

The road is closed for MDC. If the OP is talking about gettting a one hour t shirt, I am assuming he means that day.

There will be no sag. Chances of flatting are about the same as any other day on the Mountain... which means low but not zero. If you do get a flat, your T-shirt quest will be over but you'll still need to finish - you won't be able to turn around and go down with so many people behind you still coming up. You could wait around until everyone is down - one of the vehicles behind will probably stop and give you a ride the rest of the way. I advise a tube, inflator, and tire levers; if you come in at 60m01s then you can blame your repair kit. Seriously, don't be that guy.

Depends on the condition of your tires. Relatively new tires, good rim tape then leave it behind. Odds are zero, but there's minimal glass and other stuff. Alternatively, patch kit, 1 lever, 1 CO2 or ultra-light pump. Minimalist, but likely enough to cover a small flat.

Thanks for the replies, All. My road bike already weighs 19.2# - a saddle bag is not likely to cost me much time.