sjammer

Started on my usual Friday afternoon ride today and about 1/3 of the way in to my 30 mile loop I got two flats at the same time. I was cruising down the road at about 20mph and hit some sort of drain lid in the street that was recessed at least 1” in asphalt. Right when I hit it I knew it was not good, I pulled off of the road and sure enough both tires were flat. I always make sure that I carry a spare tube with me for rides, but today that was not good enough. I ended up calling my wife to come pick me up. On the bright side at least I got a 10 mile ride in.

Lesson learned today is I either need to carry (2) spare tubes or (1) tube with a patch kit. Tomorrow I will be heading to the LBS to get more spare tubes and a patch kit so I can get back at it.

Update: While changing the tubes I notices I now have two bent rims that will have to be replaced.

Jumpski

My vote is always carry a spare tube and patch kit. I carry one co2 and a small hand pump too - take care.

dmanthree

Yeah, multiple options always help. I have the usual spare tube, patch kit, and tire boots just in case. But lately, because my "support system" isn't around for a bit I'm riding more durable tires. Strange thing is they're not much slower than my "fast" wheels and tires. And yes, I don't use CO2, just a nice light mini pump that always works. Just personal preference.

Riveting

I've seen a rider get the double snakebite flat as described, fix them both, and then get a single flat later on in the ride. First and only triple flat I've ever witnessed. I'm only ever prepared for a double. That's why group rides are so comforting, resource pooling.

Bigbus

I have lots of new spare tubes in my bike parts bin but I only carry the patch kit with me and a small pump on the seat tube. I just need to get home to do the major repairs, IE: replace the tube with new.

Iride01 

Lesson learned should also include not running over stuff you don't have to. <grin>

Bigbus

Smart Ass <grin>

AmFaeEmbra

Yep. Out in a group of maybe ten where nobody else got even a single over around forty miles, I got a double puncture coming down a hill. What else was special about that day? I'd forgotten my saddle bag, so had to borrow a couple of tubes.
Once home and repairing the burst tubes, I discovered snakebites front and back, plus another on the back - so five punctures all to myself from one tiny stretch of tarmac.
So, I'm thankful I was in a group where I could cadge the spares, but if I hadn't been with that group I probably wouldn't have been riding that road. Lucky or jinxed, jinxed or lucky?

big john

I hadn't double flatted for years and then last year I did it twice. First time rode through a bunch of glass on old tires, put my spare tube in and patched the other. Later, riding in the mountains with new tires I hit a sharp rock that was hiding in a shadow and snake bit both tubes and cut the rear tire pretty bad. I was descending and worried about getting it stopped, but did. I had 1 tube and a friend gave me another and I had a boot for the cut tire. 2020'd.

Our club used to do a century every Saturday in the early 90s and one of the women bought a new Merckx bike which was much too stiff for her so she was not happy to begin with then she had 6 flats on the century that day. 3 in front and 3 in back. I couldn't believe it. She was not willing to accept any help. I don't think I've seen anyone so upset at their equipment.

rydabent

Exactly what I carry. I dont like to walk home.

bruce19

I had a very similar experience about 5 yrs ago. I was on a group ride so there were a lot of tubes available in the group. These days I ride tubeless and have not had a flat in over 2 yrs. Hoped I haven't jinxed myself. Going out for a ride in an hour.

Classtime 

Another lesson that I hope you learned is to put the appropriate pressure in your tires.

sjammer

Tire were aired up correctly.

downtube42

So the deal is something like this.

If you ride enough, virtually 100% guaranteed you'll have a flat. So you may as well be prepared, one way or another. Be able to fix it, phone a friend, make a friend, or walk.

Everything else, like multiple flats, tire failure, broken spoke, broken chain, failed cable, derailleur into the spokes, broken crankarm, broken BB spindle, broken pedal, broken frame, broken handlebar, destroyed brake pads, broken seatpost are possible, but much much less likely than a single flat tire. I've experienced or seen every one. If you ride enough, one of these or something similar will happen. So again, be able to fix it, phone a friend, make a friend, or walk. The problem is, you don't really know which one will happen, and you don't know when friends will be available, so at the end of it all, walking is in play.

10 Wheels

I Carry Five tubes and no patches.
I have had Five rides with Three Flats.

epnnf

Were you not looking where you were going? Were you on a new route?

sjammer

Yes I was on a new route and probably a little to far in to the street.

Bigbus

Got back from my ride yesterday and noticed that the slide tube was no longer attached to my hand pump. It's mounted on the down tube. Backtracked today in hopes of finding it but no luck. Just ordered a new hand pump. All the patches in the world won't do a darn bit of good without a way to put air back into a tube and I haven't liked the idea of CO2 because they seem like a one and done option. They do work good on life vests though.

davester

On my typical rides, which are usually 40+ miles, I always carry two spare tubes and a proper patch kit (none of those worthless glueless patches for me!). I have had to use them too. I also carry something that I can use to boot the tire since I've had slashes big enough to render the tire unusable. For much of my riding territory there is often no cell signal, so self-sufficiency is required. It is also pretty lame to have to call someone to rescue you for a mere flat tire.

vane171

Couple years ago, I went through a fresh pothole at fast clip and had both tires go flat. I saw it too late and couldn't react, it was not on my usual routes. Each tire had two snake bites, one from each rim side. Luckily, rims were ok but I also replaced worn out tires at the time since one of them looked damaged and put new tubes in and keep the repaired ones as spare, one to care with me on longer rides.
It was near where my sister lives, so called her to pick me up.
Otherwise I never have flats and I ride my 23c tires till they are bald with wide flat spot in the middle. I guess it depends on the area, how the roads are littered.

Iride01 

Not the correct PSI to be hitting that road hazard with hope not to flat.