tires

Shortly before we left for Vancouver, I told myself, "I've sure been having a run of good luck with the flat tires! I haven't had one in six months or so."

Fool!

Last night on my way home from work, my front tire explosively flattened as I was cycling on a busy road. It's the first time I've had a flat tire in the front in a long time and I took it as a sign that either the tire had been pinched or I'd run something over. Given that I'd filled the tire just that morning, it had to be a puncture.

So after removing the tube, I carefully felt around inside the tire looking for sharp objects. I didn't find anything on the inside. On the outside, I removed a few tiny stones, but I doubt they were responsible. I got home on a hand-pumped front tire just fine.

Then this morning I used the full-sized pump to properly fill the tire before setting off. And it blew.

So now I've got too punctured tubes and a tire that's seemingly got a foreign object lodged in it. It's going to be a messy night.

Still, I can't complain. The odd flat tire is a small price to pay for freedom from cars and subways. I can go anywhere I like, and save fares (and fuel costs, insurance payments, parking, etc) wherever I go. It's especially pleasant in Tokyo, where traffic is light (and low-speed) and the weather is generally good (August notwithstanding). And it allows me to take photos as I go, something that can't be said of the alternatives. Then there's the exercise—hell, cycling is about my only exercise these days.

I'll tough out the odd flat!