Fixed my own flat tire on a trail and felt like a hero for 5 minutes

So I was riding out at Brown County State Park last Saturday like 6 miles from the parking lot and my rear tire just went psssshhhh instantly. Of course I forgot my pump at home so I had to dig out my old hand pump from under the car seat. Took me like 20 minutes to find the thorn stuck in the tire and patch the tube in the dirt. I was sweating and my hands were covered in mud but man when that tire held air again I felt like I won something. It was stupid hot out and I almost called for a ride but I kept at it. Now I always carry a spare tube and a better pump after that. Has anyone else had a trail fix that went way worse than mine? Just curious how bad it can get out there.

2 comments

2 Comments

keith9438d ago

I read somewhere that a guy on a bikepacking trip had to use a dollar bill to patch a sidewall gash just to make it to the next town. That stuck with me because mine was just a thorn, nothing crazy. But your story about forgetting the pump hits close to home. I've done the same thing and ended up blowing into the tube like a balloon for a solid 10 minutes just to get a few PSI in there. Brown County is no joke with those limestone trails too, I've had my share of pinch flats out there from hitting rocks wrong. Glad you got it sorted without needing a rescue.

jenny_carr528d ago

Wow, wait... blowing into a tube for ten minutes? I can't even imagine that working at all! You must have some serious lung capacity or something because I feel like I'd pass out after thirty seconds. That's honestly kind of impressive and also crazy at the same time. I would have just called it quits and walked the bike back, haha.