I don't think anyone (even Jeff!) can match my recent tale of woe-eight replacement inner tubes (for both wheels of both my bikes) in 25 day period during which I cycled a total of only about 200-220 miles.
(1) Wednesday March 18th, Wayfarers' B Group, bike number 1, back wheel. Bent valve caused flat tyre. With help of Roger Sceats, managed to straighten valve, re-pump tyre, and complete ride. But, as a precaution, replaced inner tube when I got home.
(2) and (3). Saturday afternoon 21 March. Beginners Group Long Ride, bike number 2, front wheel. Had puncture on entering Nonsuch Park for start of ride. No obvious puncture cause, but with help replaced inner tube in a hurry in time to start ride. Punctured again within a few yards-pinch puncture. Took train home fron Stoneleigh.
(4) Saturday morning 28th March. Cycling from home at Raynes Park to bridge lesson at Roehampton, bike number 2, back wheel. Punctured about 1 mile from home. Found and removed thin (less than 1mm diameter) 8mm long rigid metal rod from outer tyre.
(5) and (6) Wednesday April 1st, Wayfarers' B Group, bike number 1 front wheel. Loud blow-out before lunch on Blagden Hill, about a mile west of Westhumble. Long dep tear on side of outer tyre. Decided not to fit new tube as would probably blow-out again. Walked to Bookham Station and took train home. Went straight to local bike shop and asked for two new Marathon Plus Tyres to be fitted, over existing back inner tube and over "new" (Halfords old style packaging- so probably bought 2 years ago) front inner tube supplied by me. Assistant noticed that latter had manufacturing defect (40 mm times 2mm area of very thin rubber). Therefore needed to buy another new inner tube.
(7) and (8) Easter Sunday 12th April, round-about ride to Walton Bridge with friend, Mark (just retired - I hope to introduce him to a Wayfarers ride sometime soon), bike number 2, back wheel. On our way back, I punctured near Hampton Station, took a train to Kingston and, as Evans was closed, went to Halfords, who, within a few minutes, fitted a new inner tube and a new "Conti" Kevlar outer tyre. I then cycled through Bushey Park to Teddington, crossed the Thames at Teddington Lock and entered Richmond Park at Ham Gate. I had just emerged from Robin Hood Gate when I had another back wheel puncture.- a piece of glass was embedded in my brand new tyre. When I arrived home, Mark phoned that he too had punctured- a few hundred yards before reaching his home in Long Ditton.
John Gould
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