Thread: Hippo's New Year cycle ride

Now that we had got the festivities over with, join me on a New Year cycle ride. The route is here The distance - about 24km. Date Sunday 11 Jan Time 9am.

Originally Posted by Jon

oh Hippo, while we're on the subject, most of my cycling is commuting 7 miles each way. I have a hybrid with narrow tyres and I get punctures more than I'd like.
What do you do about this? Do you just accept it and carry around a spare tube everywhere and patch it later, or do you take some precautions, such as that liquid gunk you can put inside, or kevlar type linings? It's pissing me off
And how many repairs would you recommend on a tube before you really ought to use a new one? Mine are on about 2 each at the mo, and the patches have not been compromised yet, the punctures have been in new places. I keep the pressures at the recommended levels and the tyres feel rock hard.

On my hybrid, I have 700x32 tyres with puncture protection tape (about 400 Baht). My tyres are inflated to 100psi (above recommended but within the tyres capability!)
Do you use a track pump with gauge? !f not, invest in one - they're worth it! Prices from about 600 Baht.
What type of valves do your inner tubes have - Schraeder (car-type) or Presta? I prefer Presta as they appear to hold the pressure longer. If you have Presta, get and adapter so you can us compressors at gas stations and tyre places.
I normally carry 2 tubes + puncture kit. At the high pressures that I run at, I normally discsrd tubes that I have patched once but that's just me!
Slime & tyre sealants - never use them but I've heard good & bad reports. The same for self adhesive patches.
Do not ride in the gutter or too close to the road's edge - you can find treasure there - coins, tools, etc but it is also where the puncture fairies live with their collections of sharp objects!

Hippo, I would love to join, but my body is a bit battered by me riding around Kanchanaburi province at the weekend - 340 Km in 3 days did me no good whatsoever! That first day to Kanchanaburi really killed me at 150 Km. Maybe next time.

Jon, don't accept that casualty rate! Try slicing an old tyre along the seam so that you have a 'flat' piece of rubber and not a tube. Put the sliced tyre between the outer and inner as a 'barrier' layer. It helps with the tyre pressure and cuts down on the punctures. Since I have been doing it I have reduced my punctures down to about nil. Most Thais do it with their motorcycles. It works. The extra layer really helps and has no affect on your riding.

4 minute bike ride! what! I fart longer

Originally Posted by process

4 minute bike ride! what! I fart longer

The video may be four minutes long - the ride is not! Re-read the first post.