Hot take: That one Tuesday where I fixed 12 flats in 8 hours was either the best or worst day of my career

So last spring I had a Tuesday where I did nothing but patch and replace tubes from 9 to 5, (not exaggerating) 12 flats total. Some people say those days are the worst because it's mind numbing and you smell like rubber cement for a week. But honestly I kind of loved it - I got into a rhythm, had a podcast going, and every bike left rolling smooth. The customer stories were wild too, like the guy who ran over a 4 inch nail and just kept riding. My question is: do you dread flat-patrol days or do you secretly enjoy the no-fuss repetition? Has anyone else had a day that was surprisingly good because of how simple it was?

2 comments

2 Comments

olivia_carr71d ago

12 flats in 8 hours is my absolute DREAM shift honestly.

benreed1d ago

Jumping off what @olivia_carr7 said, I think the real wild card nobody brings up is the weather. A flat-patch day in 80 degree shade with a breeze is totally different from a 95 degree humid one where the rubber cement barely dries and your fingers are sweating through the gloves. One makes the rhythm feel like a zen puzzle, the other turns it into a gritty grind. Anyone else notice how much the air temp changes your whole vibe on those high flat count days?