Got a flat tire in the rain at 7th and Pine, had to walk 3 miles to work

Last Tuesday morning, right at the intersection of 7th and Pine, I hit a pothole just right, and my back tire went flat. pouring rain, traffic everywhere. I don't carry a spare tube yet, so I had to lock my bike to a signpost and walk the rest of the way. took me 45 minutes and I showed up soaked and 20 minutes late. my boss saw me and just laughed. I ordered two spare tubes that same afternoon. anyone else ever just ditch their bike and hoof it?

2 comments

2 Comments

william4071mo ago

I read somewhere that like 40% of cyclists don't carry any repair stuff with them. Guess we're both in that club. At least your boss thought it was funny, mine would've just handed me a towel and a mop.

emmam321mo ago

Sorry @william407 but I gotta push back on that. Carrying repair stuff isn't always practical, especially in heavy rain when you just want to get somewhere. I've ditched my bike before in bad weather because fixing a flat on a wet street is miserable and dangerous. Better to lock it up and walk than risk getting hit by traffic while fumbling with a tire lever. Statistics don't tell the whole story, sometimes you gotta make a call based on the moment.