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Puncture pickles

Lysanne de Graaf / 26.08.2007

Many teams were caught out on thorny trails to Sonoma with not enough spare tubes / patches and no access to their bike boxes at the transition! A bit ‘deflating’ for some teams’ spirits. All sorts of trading attempts were overheard around the transition area in the hope of finding a way to get teams and their bikes to midcamp, some 145km away.

In Colinsville desperation had team 7 Helly Hansen MOMAR pleading with any team for their old ‘beyond repair’ tubes! Situation serious, they found themselves in jeopardy of needing to withdraw purely on their puncture situation. To make matters worse, they also developed valve issues on two wheels! The first teams out of Sonoma had bought the entire town out of both bike tubes and patches, however knowing there had to be a way, Megan from the team resorted to doorknocking around private residences. It’s unknown how the team resolved their issues but they did get to midcamp, no doubt with a great story to tell.

Teams plagued with puncture problems could finally access their bike boxes with supplies of new tubes at midcamp. Some teams have been heard to bravely boast no flats so far, so teams such as team 22 KEEN TORQers and team 4 Area 51 undoubtedly will be pinned down for their gear secrets at the end of the race.

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