There you are at the start point of
your favourite trail. The sun is shining, the birds are singing,
you've got your favourite tipple in your drinks bottle. Friends
and family are raring to go when, psssssssssss. Yes, that sinking
feeling that you get when you know that something that is very
dear to you is leaving - the air in your tyres.
Punctures
are not a problem if you have tyre levers, a spare tube and
a means of inflating it. If you haven't then you are faced with
either no ride with friends and family, unless they have spares,
or, if you are already on the trail, a long walk home - not
the point of the day out.
We have the answer - always expect the
unexpected and like the little boy scout or girl guide you once
were, or are - be prepared.
You don't
need a fully equiped workshop in your car, or strapped to
your bike, just a few "simple" tools, a pump and
of course those spare inner tubes.
Starting
in reverse order, talk to your e-cobr member who will be happy
to inform you of the size of inner tube you need (it's on your
tyre wall) and the best way of carrying them (they sell natty
little bags that fit under your saddle, or attach to the top
tube).
You
will then need a couple of tyre levers, and whilst it may sound
stupid, to know how to use them. You don't want to be "nipping" your
new inner tube when you're putting the tyre back on.
The
next item you need is what is referred to as a Multi-tool. Make
sure you buy a high quality product. Ideally you want a tool
which, in terms of quality, would be equally at home in the
workshop.
Finally
a trail pump. Again don't skimp on the quality of this accessory
and make sure it comes with a secure fixing mechanism for your
bike. Remember, you want to get fit by cycling rather than
the
exercise you would get from inflating a tyre, or walking home
because "it fell off".
