[DVBC] My hellish Coalition ride

[A Michael Broennle MD]

I agree with Frank, the food stops were frequent and adequately supplied
with liquids and food, 4 on the 68 mi route but. 

But a negative was I never saw a sag wagon or anyone identifying
themselves as sweeps as Larry and Woody were doing. 

I got an early start from Agnes Irwin School, 0740, then at 4 mi
realized I left my water bottles in my car, duh!. Restarted at 0800. Was
enjoying the ride though I did not see any DVBC's other than Jill Minich
at Lemon Hill. Between the Phoenixville stop and the Perkiomen Trail got
a flat. Couldn't pump up the new tube to full pressure with my compact
pump. OK for 10 mi then on the Schuykill River trail a 2nd flat. OK, I
was carrying a 2nd tube. Pumped the tire fully at the Spring Mill rest
stop and was given a spare tube by an REI guy. Now at least 1.5 hours
behind schedule and its really hot. Relaxed too long at Lemon Hill, not
back on the road until 1445 [2:45 pm]. On Chamounix Dr in Fairmont Park
got my 3rd flat. At that point with no spare tube and feeling tired and
lonely I called by trusty sag driver, Julie, who met me at City Line
Ave. Yep I bailed though if necessary I could have made it back to my
car provided no 4th flat.

Each of the 3 leaks was in a different location, one inside near the
stem. So I'm reasonably confident my tactile and visual inspection of
the tire did not overlook retained foreign material.  I am thinking just
bad luck though underinflation could also contribute to flats #2 and 3.

Any suggestions about getting a new tube close to fully inflated when
road biking?  Is my pump underperforming? Or just the person operating
the pump?

Mike