I just learned how to change a puncture

[Jane Smart]

The nice helpful bike shop, just sat patiently with me and showed me how to change an inner tube if I get a puncture. I bought a spare inner tube to take on my rides with me now, I bought a pump and a lever also. I have done hundreds of miles since I bought the bike three weeks ago and did not like the idea that if I got a puncture I would need to use my phone

I feel quite confident now, if the inevitable does happen, I will be able to get going under my own steam once I have put in the new inner tube.

Now I am wondering if I should have bought two spare tubes, can lightning strike twice on one ride out?

Oh I also bought some of the powder to put into my "2nd" water bottle, as I am also increasing my distances and find energy level depleting.

Who would have thought just four weeks ago I had not been on a bike in 34 years Damn I am loving it

 

[Tynan]

if you're doing miles I strongly suggest you learn how to repair a tube using a repair kit

a spare tube will fix one puncture, a repair kit will fix dozens and takes up far less space then a tube, you'll always have the repair kit with you, the same isn;t always true about spare tubes, they will get used

good on the LBS

I've never used gels or powers yet, eating and drinking sensibly will keep you going unless you're a top class rider caning it

 

[MajorMantra]

Now I am wondering if I should have bought two spare tubes, can lightning strike twice on one ride out?

I once managed a simultaneous front and rear pinch flat by hitting something (never did check what) in a dark tunnel on a cycle path. I was, um, wearing sunglasses.

Have you got a puncture repair kit? A single spare tube and a kit covers most eventualities but some punctures (especially pinch flats) can be a pain to patch.

Matthew

 

[Jane Smart]

No I don't have a kit, thanks for that, I will go out and buy one.

As for the powder in the drinks that I bought, I have started to do 35 miles when I go out and tomorrow fully intend to increase that to 38. Having only been cycling a few weeks, I find my energy levels going down, hence I thought that may help.

 

[Joe24]

No I don't have a kit, thanks for that, I will go out and buy one.

As for the powder in the drinks that I bought, I have started to do 35 miles when I go out and tomorrow fully intend to increase that to 38. Having only been cycling a few weeks, I find my energy levels going down, hence I thought that may help.

If your doing 35miles a day then you need to just eat!
Last year i was doing bewteen 200-250miles a week, and at a decent speed aswell(average about 18/19mph) and could pretty much just eat.
4 cobs, packet of crisps, cereal bars, cereal, 2 slices of toast, 2 bits of cake, 2 toasted tea cakes, lots to drink and 8 oz of pasta.
Was what i had one day, not including little snacks

On the rides i would either have a cereal bar, or none. Depending on how i felt.

As for punctures, i just carry one tube. Ive been picked up by my parents before after havign a pucture and either getting another one, or pumping up the tube and taking the valve off
Not so nice.

Remember choco milk after the ride aswell

 

[peanut]

you increase your miles any further and you're going to need to take your tooth brush with you

well done that is a very impressive mileage after just a few weeks

 

[on the road]

Knowing how to repair a tube is a life saver, you'll never know when you'll need it

 

[Jane Smart]

you increase your miles any further and you're going to need to take your tooth brush with you

well done that is a very impressive mileage after just a few weeks

Haha that made me laugh! Don't tempt me I donh't do 35 miles every day though, yesterday was only 25, today not alot as want to do the 38 tomorrow. I don't want to do too much too soon really.

Joe I don't to eat, ( well eat more than I do that is ) as I want to lose weight

Puncture repair kit on tomorrows shopping list

 

[fossyant]

Do get a couple of kits and another spare ub - worth having one kit with you and one at home. Tip Top are some of the best kits. I have 'numerous' spare tubes at home, but just carry one or two with me.

 

[NormanD]

As for the powder in the drinks that I bought, I have started to do 35 miles when I go out and tomorrow fully intend to increase that to 38. Having only been cycling a few weeks, I find my energy levels going down, hence I thought that may help.

Jane remember don't push too far in such a short space of time, rest is very important for the body too ... finding your energy levels dropping could be a sign the body is getting tired.

Energy drinks will help, but they'll be totally usless if your body becomes real tired ... I started out by riding one day doing 15 miles and resting the following day.

I did this for a few weeks until the distance became too easy, I then added 5 miles to that to see how my body coped, all fine so continued at that distance, repeating the above each time stepping it up by 5 miles, I'm now doing 40 miles per ride again I'll up that distance once I feel my body can cope

Enjoy your new found pleasure in life, but also take note of the limitations.

Norm

 

[Davidc]

I always carr a tube and a repair kit. One day you'll get a p******e and put the tube in forgetting to find out first what caused the p thing - then you'll understand why you need both.

You always need at least 2 levers (if you want useable hands afterwards) but try not to use them to put the tyre back on.

I know Halfords don't have too many fans on here, but they do some useful little kits in tin boxes with p' repair stuff, a couple of common allen keys and a couple of other common tools.

 

[Joe24]

Haha that made me laugh! Don't tempt me I donh't do 35 miles every day though, yesterday was only 25, today not alot as want to do the 38 tomorrow. I don't want to do too much too soon really.

Joe I don't to eat, ( well eat more than I do that is ) as I want to lose weight

Puncture repair kit on tomorrows shopping list

Dont bother too much with the weight loss if your riding far, eat some more stuff.
But, as someone i know who has been riding for many years and was once very good does every so often, is skips breakfast, makes up a weak drink with the energy powder, and apparently this gets the body burning fat again.
I dont do it.
Oh, and what you might find is cheaper is to get some of that Glucose powder, and mix that up with a normal drink.
Choco milk powder mixed with milk after a ride.

 

[luplowe]

Lots of cyclist put weight on although they look thin , they get a lot of bulk in there legs and muscle is heavier than fat.

 

[Jane Smart]

I just don't want thighs like Chris Hoy

Have to say, I have toned up since I started to cycle, I can now get into clothes I have not worn for years, so that is good.

Oh good, I NEED to buy some new clothes then don't I?

 

[Plax]

Second what the others have said about puncture repair kits and tubes.
I always carry a puncture repair kit and a spare tube with me. I've never had to use the puncture repair kit whilst out, but I have had to change the tube. I just stick the old tube in my bag and repair it when I get home (that then is the designated spare tube). If push comes to shove I'd be happy enough to repair a puncture with a repair kit by the side of the road, but it's more of a faff than a straight tube swap as sometimes the hole is so tiny it's hard to find.

You'll get the hang of repairing punctures pretty quickly. I was lucky in that my first puncture I was out with a group and was shown what to do. I'd read about it, but it wasn't quite the same putting it into practice - for a start I had a job getting the rear wheel off and then trying to get the tyre off the rim (and I forgot to undo the brake and was wondering why I has having a hard time getting the wheel off!). Certainly practice taking the rear wheel off and on, there's a bit of a knack to trying to get the chain off the cassette to get the wheel out and vice versa.