One of my main irritations is having to abandon a cycle ride because of mechanical issues or punctures.
Today was one such day, when I set off for a planned 50 km ride and after just 3 km I sensed a softening of my front tyre.
The Schwalbe Smart Sam Active tyres currently on the bike are those that came with it when new last May.
These are ‘knobbly’ all-terrain tyres, with inner tubes and with puncture protection fluid added.
They have covered a total 5555.4 km and I rotated them at 2822 km to equalise tyre wear.
About 220 km ago I discovered a slow puncture in the front tyre.
This was caused by a deeply embedded thorn, obviously as a result of my frequent forays through the local forests.
I fixed the puncture and thought I had removed the entire thorn but this morning’s puncture appears to be in the same place.
Of course, I carry a pump and puncture repair kit for emergencies but today I decided to turn for home at a suburb of Heerlen, known as De Beitel before the tyre needed more air.
I have already ordered new tyres online, which will be with me on Tuesday so for that reason I decided not to repair the puncture.
Therefore my Easter Sunday ride was abandoned after just under 7 km.
