Gidday Pete,
I'm a bit short of time, so sorry if anything seems a bit abrupt.
Peter Signorini said:David Trudgett said:Well, Pete, see the thing is that a positive outlook doesn't stop
donkey droppings from happening, now, does it? ;-) As Tamyka kindly
pointed out a bit more subtly.
Yes, but the positive outlook is all about realising that you may well have
the resources with you to solve that bike problem. Of course I always tour
Naturally. A positive outlook and being prepared are indispensable.
Quoted message said:with a pretty comprehensive tool kit and a few spares (including zip ties
and a spare tube, but not a spare tyre).
The zip ties are a good idea. I'll whack a few in next time I'm out on
a longish ride. I always carry a spare tube, though, on anything more
than a half hour ride. (plus small bike tool set, puncture repair,
first aid kit) The only one I haven't had to use is the first aid kit...
Quoted message said:Making good use of what you have to get yourself rolling again has
gotta be better than throwing the hands up in despair and walking 15
kms.
There are times when you may have to walk. I'm not saying it happens
often, and in fact in happens very rarely. But it happens. And it has
got nothing to do with despair.
Quoted message said:Only time I've ever had to do that was with a
faulty rim tape on the tandem, after the 10th puncture. We walked 8 kms to
catch the later train.
Most of my rides are solo, of course, since I ride for transport.
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:You know what happens when you try to ride on a broken spoke? You risk
doing more damage to the wheel, and breaking more spokes. In the above
alluded to incident, I in fact was stupid and continued to try to ride
it (slowly even). Guess what? Another spoke broke and it was unridable
unless a completely trashed wheel was of no consequence.
Not normally likely to happen if you adjust other spokes and ride slowly. Of
course it becomes more risky on rougher roads or with heavy loads.
Yes, indeed (and I was carrying a few kg -- transport, remember). You
also didn't mention sub-par wheels (which this one turned out to be,
and has since been replaced).
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:As for relying on $10 bills
Use it as a tyre boot for a large gash in your tyre, very effective and will
hold the tyre for many kilometres. I and others in our touring club have
often used this to get someone rolling again. On longer multi-day tours I
often carry a 12cm section of an old tyre to use as a repair boot for any
split sidewalls. Don't use it often but it's there if needed.
Quoted message said:and sticky tape, you've got to be kidding...?
No, gaffer tape. Much more heavy duty, and very handy for a tyre repair.
Stick it across a split on the inside of the tyre.
I was getting cute with the sticky tape thing... my family always
jokes about what can be fixed with a bit of sticky tape, like garden
fences, for instance. Never mind! ;-)
Quoted message said:or (d) carry a mobile phone and try calling someone with a car and a sense
of
Quoted message said:humour?
Mobile phone recption? In the bush? Hehehehe, you have got a sense of
humour.
Thaaank you! ;-) Actually, the places I ride normally have pretty good
reception. Even out in the country around here. Black spots can be walked.
Quoted message said:
Usually everyone has a $bill, not everyone carries a spare tyre, and I don't
own a mobile phone.
<I'm on a ride> <looks around> <sees no one> .... mmmm... :-)
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:Or were you referring to what I could have done at the time?
If that is the case....
Of course there are always going to be particular circumstances and they
will influence the solution.
Yes, that was what I was saying. You seemed to be trying to use
general principles and make them apply to a specific instance without
knowing the circumstances. You also seemed to be trying to imply that
preparation and attitude can handle any eventuality. As you know, they
can't. Which is my point.
You wanted to fit me into a stereotype of "person who throws up hands
in despair without being resourceful in finding solutions," a
stereotype in which I do not fit. You also seem to assume that walking
15km is a great calamity to be avoided at all costs. Perhaps it is,
but it's not always the case. While I would much rather ride 15km than
push a bike that far, walking at least allows one to take in the
scenery in much more detail.
Happy riding, (I should do some more rec rides in the country soon,
I'm getting withdrawal... ;-))
David
--
David Trudgett
http://www.zeta.org.au/~wpower/
The world is pretty awful today, but it is far better than yesterday,
not only with regard to unwillingness to tolerate aggression, but also
in many other ways, which we now tend to take for granted. There are
very important lessons here, which should always be uppermost in our
minds -- for the same reason they are suppressed in the elite
culture.
-- Noam Chomsky
<http://www.chomsky.info/articles/20041217.htm>