My usual reaction to fixing punctures is ‘that shouldn’t be too hard.’ There are one or two things to bear in mind when fixing punctures: make sure you check the tyre thoroughly for the possible cause and, do not trap the inner tube with the replaced tyre .
Obviously I failed to check the tyre properly, because a short ride into town ended with another flat tyre. After my train ride home, I bought a new tyre, replaced the inner tube and set to work again.
Having wrestled with the new tyre and failed to pull the final bit over the rim, I gave up. I took the wheel to Austin’s bike shop where young Michael tugged the tyre into place. Austin offered to inflate the tyre, a kind offer I declined.
The taxi driver chatted happily about music, rebel songs, Christy Moore, the Wolf Tones and the Irish parts of London.
I put the wheel back on and went to inflate the tyre…no joy.
odespinner 