Ankle Pain from excessive skidding?

Is that a real tip? I always feel like Im binning tyres prematurely (or I blow them up in some incovenient place).

Dammit, what gearing is your bike incidentally?

Yep. Tyre off, find thin part of tyre / hole duck tape carton there. You have to ride carefully with the repair, but it will get you to work / home easy. When my tyre are getting thin I'll give them an inspection and may swap before a puncture but unless I'm off on a long ride I don't pay too much attention as long as I have a spare at home and the gaffa milk carton in my bag..