Yesterday was a proof of the power of thought. I went out for a ride, and halfway I realized my saddlebag was left home. I'd been training on the trainer already for a week and therefore removed it. Well I thought, I only had one or two punctures this year, I can't have that bad luck it would happen just now.

I made a stop to take this picture. It was then I realized something is missing.

I continued pedaling and was extra careful not to run into potholes or sharp stones or anything that could end up with a puncture. After a long break in October it was the first time in a long time when the cycling actually felt good and I could enjoy the ride all the way.

+ 9 degrees and no rain, good weather that is

Then it happened. I felt the rear tire bump and made a stop. It was empty. So there I was, 20 km to go home, the darkness was soon falling and I had no tools nor spare inner tubes. I tried to remove the tire, if I just could locate the puncture I could make a knot around it (check here). But without tools I was unable to remove the tire. Then an old man walked by with his two dogs. The faith in mankind was again regained. The man was really helpful and actually went back home to get me a tool. So I was able to remove the tire, but then the hole was located so close to the valve that it was impossible to make a knot. I had some electrical tape around my portable hand pump and that was my only solution. I tried it, and for a kilometer or so it seemed to hold. But not for longer. For a few kilometers I rode, stopped, rode, stopped, until it only took a a hundred meter or so for the tire to be flat again. So I walked, tried to cycle and pump for a while until there was only 7 km to go home.

I called home for the rescue and eventually, after walking for almost 5 km with cycling shoes on, help arrived!

So the last 4 km of the ride I could actually pedal again. A day when things really didn't go as planned, but eventually turned out alright. Faith in humanity was restored, at least for a while, and the cycling part felt good. Now just some hours and hours and I'm back on track!

More Fincycling news coming up this week, stay tuned!

Have a great week!

Punctured by thought