There is not two without three

Nowadays we are living in an ice box with temperatures flirting with the 20s and winds that exasperate the situation. Still serious riders are managing to ride their bicycles logging some 3-4 hours training sessions as soon as the thermometer goes above the freezing line.
A couple of weeks ago, in one of the weekly FinKraft Coaching rides led by Roger Aspholm, we left the Westwood Cycles shop for a long loop that through a sequence of scenic local NJ roads brought us to the bottom of Perkins and then to Harriman Park. The nature around us was gorgeous: a sharp blue sky was the perfect contrast to the accumulation of white snow from a recent storm. In such conditions it’s very easy to get flats as the roads are often marked with crossing lines of debris mixed to salt and with the inevitable asphalt cracks and potholes caused by the low temperatures.
Indeed this time the lucky guy was our friend Andreas Runggatscher who while standing up over the pedals on a short hill realized to have a flat on his rear tire. No problem, we pulled over on the side of the road and with the help of a teammate Andreas mounted a new tube. As soon as the wheel was back on his bike he realized that there was a leak. It was a big surprise because they didn’t make the mistake of using the tire levers to mount back the clincher over the rim. The best part was that when the tube was removed we were not able to find the leak! There was not time to waste since it was cold, so another tube found its way on Andreas rear wheel. Now according to an Italian saying there is not two without three, so as soon as Andreas jumped back on his bike he realized that even his front wheel had flattened in the meantime.
In all my years of riding I have never seen such a thing! Anyhow since I am aware of the risk of multiple flats I have always with me the so-called Alex’s survival kit:

· Sci'Con saddle bag with integrated tire levers
· Spare tube with a 70-80mm valve to fit even high profile carbon rims without using any extension.
· A little box with a tube repair kit
· A bicycle tool kit
· $20-50
· One or two Cliff or Hammer Energy Gels
· A portable pump

Yes, even some sugar, because too many times I found myself with too little food and especially in cold weather the last thing that I want to experience is a classic bonk.