I agree completely with what your saying about being prepared and learning to change flats. I am the queen of flats and have changed way more than my fair share. Including a week this summer when I had four flat in three commutes. But I have to add, while it is good to practice at home, go out in the yard or parking lot to practice. Sitting in your warm comfortable house, in a nice comfy chair just isn't the same as the shoulder of the road, in the cold, rain and mud with traffic roaring by you. That's where I was, last week, for my latest flat change. bikerHen