Originally Posted by
Kapusta
Yep, I check pressure before most rides.
I also carry a lot of tools, because that is what I want on my long and remote rides, and I have little inclination to thin it out on short rides. Easier just to leave it all in there. Also, I often ride with folks who have mechanicals.
As far as the cell phone replacing tools..... that's just weak. "Hi, can you drop what you are doing and take an hour or two out of your day to come pick me up? I know this is inconvenient, but it saves me from carrying 6 oz worth of tools in a saddle bag"
Back when I started the modern era of touring (2003 but I toured extensively in the early 80s), people always asked me how I could go touring without a cell phone. “But what if something happens while you are out there?”, was a variant of the questions that were asked of me. I can imagine how such a phone call would go:
”Honey, I’m broken down. Can you come get me?”
”Where are you?”
”I’m about 70 miles north of Bluefield, WV.”
”So you are saying you want me to drive 1500 miles to pick you up?”
“Yea.”
”CLICK!”
”Honey? Honey?”
I did once call when my daughter and I underestimated the time, food, and water needed for a remote mountain bike ride. We were cold, tired, and hungry as well as looking at the possibility of spending a night on the side of a mountain. But my call…when we got a signal… was only to have her call the authorities if she didn’t hear from us by a certain time. Thankfully, we worked our way out of the woods before she had to call them.