No need for patches? Just re-use old tubes?

Just saw this comment on the Guardian Bike Blog.

Stick-on patches? Sacrilege - real cyclists don't even carry patches, they recycle old bits of inner tube.

Is that true? Can I just cut up old tubes and use those instead?

probably don't work as well. try it and see.

I'll put some in my jersey this weekend and hope for random glass shards!

I didn't mean that, cycling Gods of Fate. Please don't give me punctures...

I'll put some in my jersey this weekend and hope for random glass shards!

Moron!

I'd take some proper patches with you as well!

Just saw this comment on the Guardian Bike Blog.

Is that true? Can I just cut up old tubes and use those instead?

Yes, treat the handmade patch in the same manner you treat your inner tube before patching (ie roughen a bit). The main difference is that small squares of thin inner tube are more difficult to apply, than a patch.

No chamfer too, and an inner tube is much thicker than most patches. Which will give you a more noticeable lump where you patch. Fine with big thick mtb type tyres, not so good if you run thinner racing tyres.

Tried a coupla times as an emergency thing, and I've never really had much luck with it. Don't think the talc in inner tubes helps either, though it might have had something to do with rain and impatience as well :)

Ive done it a few times as a kid, worked then but I dont think it would handle pressure very well.