Happy To Get A Puncture !!!

I was actually happy to discover a puncture in the rear wheel of my bike tonight. I accidentally realised it had gone flat while hanging on the stand. I was more than certain it was a flat. I couldn't be more glad by this opportunity to test my newly acquired skill of fixing punctures. After all we don't get punctures to repair every day. So off I went to fix it. I felt so alive to be doing this, when all my friends I know are watching cricket.

Incidentally, this is Wednesday. I had gone cycling on Saturday. Should I be worried about the quality of the OE tubes and replace both of them - front and rear? Probably yes, if I was going on a long tour. But since I stay more or less within the city and carry two tubes, there is no need to panic.

I started the work at 9:35 pm. Finished it at 10:25 without any particular hurry (meaning I could've done it faster). But please take about 15 minutes out of this. Because I had sent Monisha to Nishi to get some lime for marking. She in turn sent Nishi to get it from a paan shop because he had none. All this took some time. So to take the wheel off, tyre off, discover the puncture, repair it, put everything back on, it took me 35 minutes. The first time on road just to change the tube took me more than 40 minutes. Of course at home I was using the floor standing Firefox pump. 

I am still a little iffy with changing the rear tyre, particularly when it comes to putting it back on. I prefer putting the cycle upside down to do this. This time I tried to do it standing straight but failed. I guess once the trainer comes in and I get the training wheel, I will become more adept at it.

This time the puncture happened in a better location, away from the valve stem. I didn't commit the same mistakes of the first time. Marked the area with wet lime. Put the solution thin. Didn't peel off the plastic from top. Used a small patch. Put the tube back on right away and pumped the tyre. Let me see if it lasts. I didn't even test it. 

May 24, 2018

As of this morning, there is no perceptible air pressure loss.

May 27, 2018 

As of this morning also, there is no perceptible air pressure loss. I guess I have reached that stage where you can just repair the puncture and go. But I am still iffy with putting the back wheel on. I have to learn how to get the brake loose a bit. I think the brake pads are too close to the rim in the rear wheel. Need to widen the gap just a bit. I have no clue how that is done. Let me see.