Today I took a ride on the Thun Trail from Birdsboro to Pottstown, then back to Birdsboro. The ride was 17 miles. This is the same ride I took on May 24, 2008 and on June 13, 2008 .
I got a flat tire about 4.3 miles into the ride.
I had just passed over the Schuylkill River when I noticed that my front tire was going flat.
I carry everything I need to change a flat. I have a spare tube, tire levers, CO2 inflator and a multi tool. However, In my over 3500 road and trail miles, I have yet to change a flat in the field. I was a little nervous using the CO2 inflator since I had not done that before and I only had one 16g cartridge.
Oh, one thing I was missing-- mosquito repellent. They were terrible!
I flipped the bike over and removed the front wheel.
Using the tire levers, I removed one side of the tire. Then removed the tube. I checked for the cause of the flat and found 2 sharp thorns. Later at home I confirmed that it was a thorn puncture flat by the location of the hole.
I replaced the tube with a Slime SmartTube.
My inflator has a CO2 cartridge stored in it. I turned the cartridge to the proper orientation, then screwed on the valve top. I then unscrewed the presta valve on the tire to allow the CO2 to enter. Then I slide the inflator on the presta valve. Then I lifted the handle and pulled the trigger.
The tire inflated properly. Later when I got home I checked the pressure and it was about 20 psi. I topped the tire off to 35 psi.
I then put the wheel back on and was on my way.
I was surprised at how many people passed by while I was fixing the flat and didn't even ask if I needed help.
On my way back from Pottstown I did reach 500 miles!
