Flats

[bunsen_h]

Another flat tire, this time on my way home from work. On the plus side, it happened shortly before I passed the Canadian Tire store, so it wasn't even much of a detour to get a replacement inner tube.

Because I was pretty sure that the old tube was shot.  Note to self, for when civilization goes kablooey: drywall nails make effective caltrops.  Even if they don't land point-up when dropped, a tire running over one can flip it over, point-upwards, then puncture.  And the ridges on the nail rip quite a good hole in a tire.  For a bike tire, you get a big entry puncture and a smaller puncture on the other side of the tube, and if you continue to roll on for a few wheel rotations, you can even get a small but deep ding on the inside of the rim.

The previous flat was a bit less than a week ago, when a patch applied a number of months ago gave way.  The new patches, small self-adhesive squares, are certainly much more convenient than the older rubber patches that had to be glued on.  But they're a lot less sturdy, and the adhesive is much less durable than the rubber cement of the old patches.

I'm glad I'm taking tomorrow off work.  I can use a break, and a bit of catching up on sleep.

Comments

[duncanmac.livejournal.com]

for when civilization goes kablooey ...

I sincerely hope that this does not happen in my lifetime! (Or in anyone else's lifetime, or anytime soon.)

[dewline.livejournal.com]

Seconded!