Today's Ride

[Deleted member 4366]

After nearly two weeks without my bike, I was really looking forward to a nice long ride on my £5 bike today.

My poor best mate, Saneagle, has the problems of the world on his shoulders, so it took a fair amount of persuasion to get him to come.

We set off for our normal 30 mile ride with a plan to stop half way for a pint. The sun was shining. The breeze was light. Perfect. I was really enjoying it. The 2-speed motor coped easily with the pretty steep hills that we encounter. I was really enjoying it. Then, you guessed, before we even got to the pub, bloody puncture, and no toolkits between us. Normally both of us carry one, but due to strange circumstances, we were both without. I therefore, for the first time, suffered the embarrassment of having my bike returned home in the back of a car. At least we were still able to stop for a pint on the way back. Saneagle managed to use 8.5 aH for the 5 mile climb to his house to get the car. That's a record for his BPM motored MTB. We're all happy again now, and I'm marvelling at the versatility oof that Xiongda motor. If it proves reliable, I'll give up my higher powered ones.

 

[Arbol]

Bloody punctures, yes.

Really looking forward the results of your Xiongda reliability tests.

 

[paul b]

We have all done it dave in fact it happened to me last week but luckily i had only got 500 yards lol .what did you do have the drink when you got back anyway lol

 

[cwah]

I suppose the xiongda motor doesn't have the torque of the bpm that's why it uses less power?

 

[Zebb]

I met a few people out today without puncture repair stuff, good job I had loads. Good way to get to know others out an about.
Touch wood, not had a puncture yet with new tyres.

 

[flecc]

before we even got to the pub, bloody puncture, and no toolkits between us. Normally both of us carry one, but due to strange circumstances, we were both without. I therefore, for the first time, suffered the embarrassment of having my bike returned home in the back of a car.

Sad no other cyclists around to help. Like Zebb I've often got others out of that trouble. One thing that's often surprised me is those who have all the puncture repair kit but no pump. One group of three roadies with a puncture had three kits and the puncture repaired, but not one pump between them!

 

[john h]

Didnt you bring one of those tyres with all the screws in it from the bike show d8veh

 

[Willber G]

I bought one of these that I keep attached to my bike:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-Bicycle-Tool-Kit/dp/B00B63XJ76

The pump is tiny and fits in the little case. Not had any punctures to fix yet but the multi-tool works ok.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

I normally carry everything: pump, tools, spare tube, puncture kit, and so does Saneagle. I have two complete sets, but I have seven bikes, so i have to keep moving them round. It was just bad luck and coincidence that our tools were elsewhere. We both know that we have each other's tools as a backup - normally!

 

[Willber G]

I normally carry everything: pump, tools, spare tube, puncture kit, and so does Saneagle. I have two complete sets, but I have seven bikes, so i have to keep moving them round. It was just bad luck and coincidence that our tools were elsewhere. We both know that we have each other's tools as a backup - normally!

I'm only an occasional rider so don't need to invest in too many tools (also I have no skills!). If I have a major breakdown I'll just fold the bike and put it in the back of a cab.

 

[eHomer]

.......Sad no other cyclists around to help. Like Zebb I've often got others out of that trouble. ......

I have to admit , that aspect of cycling "camaraderie" is a very warming experience.

Since retiring, I'm lucky enough to do all of my cycling around picturesque rural areas, so I've had quite a few "rural" punctures, (bl**dy great big hedge thorns).

On every occasion where a cyclist has passed during the repairs, they've always asked if I need any help, and I would certainly reciprocate if the roles were reversed.

I use quite a few different bikes and trikes, so my aide memoir is to keep my toolkit/spares bag inside my helmet in the garage !

 

[flecc]

Since retiring, I'm lucky enough to do all of my cycling around picturesque rural areas, so I've had quite a few "rural" punctures, (bl**dy great big hedge thorns).

On every occasion where a cyclist has passed during the repairs, they've always asked if I need any help, and I would certainly reciprocate if the roles were reversed.

I use quite a few different bikes and trikes, so my aide memoir is to keep my toolkit/spares bag inside my helmet in the garage !

My retirement country riding experience is the same. On virtually every occasion when repairing a puncture in the countryside, other cyclists have stopped or slowed to check if I need help, and that includes the serious lycras.

The maximum I've ever had is four bikes, but each one has had it's own toolkit, spare tube and pump permanently mounted. A bit extravagant maybe, but it means I've never been stuck for completing a ride or helping others. Examples on this link

 

[jackhandy]

We both know that we have each other's tools as a backup - normally!

It's the same with tape measures - If you have several you don't make a point of putting back the one you've just used, but if you only have one you make damn sure you know where t'is