'I can't remember the last time I had a puncture and knew about it': Can we dare to dream of a post-puncture reality?

Front-on view of a road tyre tire.

Part of what makes riding a bike a beautiful thing is that it works on feeling – pure interaction between the protagonist and the laws of physics. It's not the only sport like this – think skiing, skydiving, even running.

But this also sets it apart from many others, and the bike adds an extra dynamic – a go-between between rider and mother nature.