Flat tires, and the dreaded DNS

I am interested in hearing what folks do to avoid flats or other mechanical issues on race day. After several races I have finally joined the DNS club due to multiple flat tires - and I thought I was doing everything possible to avoid this. Looks like I need a better plan.

Read on for details if interested -


I was training for very popular local sprint tri over the last few weeks and had 2 flat tires in 2 days (more specifically 2 flats in less than a mile, same tire). Something clearly wrong with the tire, or so it seemed. I was going to address this with the local bike shop the day before the race (no time due to work). My wife offered to take the tire to the bike shop at mid week (when it is slow at shop, so that they could properly analyze the problem). She explains the situation to them. They repair the tire, and sell her a spare tube and the co2 inflation things - just in case I ever need to do my own roadside repair. I had about 400 miles on the new bike and no flats ever before this.

So its 6:30 morning of race day. Up since 5. I am getting ready for the race. Hundreds of vehicles with plates from all over, people are setting up. I check the tire pressure and get myself set up. I get my numbers marked on my arms and legs. Stretch. I decide to take a quick spin on bike a half mile up and back to get warmed up - I go really fast just to feel the bike move. Well, a qtr mile down the road I get another flat (this is now the 3rd flat tire in 3 times on the bike, same tire, - the 3rd flat in less than a mile of riding). Now I have some issues, its about 20 minutes til start. But all is not lost. There's a bike tech back at the check-in area. I walk back and show him the bike - he says he can fix the flat no problem, fast. I explain I've had a series of flats so something must be wrong. He takes the tire off the bike, turns the tire inside out, and starts looking along every inch of the tire. Sure enough he finds 2 pieces of glass embedded in the tire (but not obvious to the naked eye). This is actually good news. Maybe my problem has finally been solved! I hand him my newly purchased spare tube. He starts to put the tube on the tire.... but then more bad news - he sez, "hey this new tube is the WRONG SIZE." &^^%$ Do I have another tube or a patch kit? (why would I, isn't one spare enough?) He suggests that I ask around for a spare tube of this size or a patch kit. I ask a few guys at T1 spot but no luck. But now time is running out, everyone is in wet suits and starting to go down to the water. I really don't want to bother anyone with my own issues at this point. Everyone has their own race to run. The first wave is called up. Its over! So I hand in my timing chip and withdraw. Oh, so sad.

So I go back up and get my running gear. I have to do something. So I erase my numbers from my arms and legs go for a good 12 mile run to unwind. Running this hilly 12 miles actually takes longer than had I done the sprint tri - so I get my desired workout. And I let go of any anger over the situation.

Going forward, even though the flat tire is supposedly "fixed," again, I am wondering if, under like conditions in the future, I am better off just buying a whole new tire and/or keeping a spare tire (as well as multiple spare tubes) with me on on race day.