It's okay, I've 'phoned the wife.

[nickyboy]

Just once. About 15 miles from home in the countryside I punctured and the replacement tube had a faulty valve so wouldn't inflate. It was either a call home or a call for a taxi. Handily there was a pub to wait in just up the road

 

[Vapin' Joe]

The big problem can be the other half actually finding you. Ok if you're in a town or city and you can tell them the name of the road, but if you are 30 miles away on an unclassified road then you probably only have a vague idea of where you are yourself, let alone trying to tell someone else the exact location. I had enough trouble with that a few years ago when a water hose blew on my car in the back of beyond and I had to give directions to the AA.

 

[Apollonius]

Being myself a

a lycra'd up bloke on a road bike

I have recently come across a couple of blokes on Cirrus type things, one with a broken chain. I stopped to offer assistance, but could not help as I only carry 10 and 11 speed links. The non-lycra clad rider had already phoned wife anyway.

The second time appeared to be a rear-changer in the wheel. His mate was pushing him home. Neither were wearing Lycra. I knew what to do, but my help was declined as they were nearly home. Maybe they assumed as I was riding a road bike and wearing lycra I wouldn't have a clue. I have come across this prejudice. Oh, and I was also riding a comparatively expensive bike, which obviously marks me out a clueless too.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Try being a woman on a hybrid with flowery panniers and offering help to a couple of roadies stopped at the roadside.
You should have seen the look on their faces!
Little did they know that I was just back from a Belles ride, my panniers had an entire workshop in them, to cover all prospective catastrophes, because I was the only one knowing the difference between a chain link and a chain ring

 

[Stevec047]

This is a bit of a problem: I used to put the name of my cat as an emergency number to avoid telling people a long sob story about myself
I have now given my house keys to a neighbourgh and got some dog tags made.
Numbers on the tags are the neighbourgh's and a couple of close friends.

That actually sounds like a great idea I may have to put that to a good freind of mine and see if he would be willing to be my ice

 

[Pat "5mph"]

That actually sounds like a great idea I may have to put that to a good freind of mine and see if he would be willing to be my ice

Mind to tell your friend the name of the solicitor that has your will

 

[Stevec047]

Mind to tell your friend the name of the solicitor that has your will

A will lol I don't have anything to my name save for a tiny bit of money in savings my car and bike. I reckon the cost of a will would out do the actual value of my personal items

 

[doog]

Being that sort of person, whenever I see a fellow cyclist apparently in trouble, I always stop and offer assistance. What I find interesting is that when it's a lycra'd up bloke on a road bike, my offer of assistance is invariably politely declined with a statement to the effect of '..It's okay, I've 'phoned the wife / partner / girlfriend / the other 'arf and she's picking me up..'
Now there are those of us who either don't have the benefit of a wife / partner / girlfriend / other 'arf, or they don't drive or there isn't a car available.
So WE have to deal with whatever the situation is - !

Observations please - !

Most I come across are working on their p*unctures...never had the same reply as you..

I've rung the missus twice in 30 years..(last resort trust me ) snapped chain and broken spoke... gutted with the latter as I probably could have made it home but being 'lycra'd up' as you say I didn't want the appalling embarrassment of cycling (nursing) a broken wheel home at 8 mph...

 

[lazybloke]

I wouldnt dream of going out without a repair kit. I can get it fixed and grt going without bothering anyone and probably quicker than they can get to me.

Totally agree- I'd never cycle anywhere without tools.

Translation: I do my own roadside repairs because my wife wouldn't offer a sympathetic response if I phoned her

 

[Tim Hall]

The big problem can be the other half actually finding you. Ok if you're in a town or city and you can tell them the name of the road, but if you are 30 miles away on an unclassified road then you probably only have a vague idea of where you are yourself, let alone trying to tell someone else the exact location. I had enough trouble with that a few years ago when a water hose blew on my car in the back of beyond and I had to give directions to the AA.

Assuming both parties have a smart phone, then Glympse is your friend (I expect other apps are available). It sends location info to who you want, which will then pop up on whatever map stuff they have on your their phone.

Edit: changed your for their, so it makes sense now.

 

[NorthernDave]

Assuming both parties have a smart phone, then Glympse is your friend (I expect other apps are available). It sends location info to who you want, which will then pop up on whatever map stuff they have on your phone.

There is a similar function in BBM (BlackBerry Messenger). Never had to use it though, so I've no idea how accurate it is...

 

[lutonloony]

This is a bit of a problem: I used to put the name of my cat as an emergency number to avoid telling people a long sob story about myself
I have now given my house keys to a neighbourgh and got some dog tags made.
Numbers on the tags are the neighbourgh's and a couple of close friends.

I've always thought that in case of emergency contact......... Should be 999, to be honest I think they're much more likely to be able to help than Mrs L

 

[r04DiE]

I've been cycling for nearly 25 years, married for nearly 17 years, and have never called anybody, ever, for a lift home.

 

[gbb]

only ever once bailed and phoned for a pickup...punctured and fingers were just too numb with cold to do anything, plus with a howling cold wind I did worry I'd get far too cold.
Otherwise...a puncture should only take 15 minutes..like many I guess, I've fixed a good few at the side of the road .I've even pushed with one leg, the other on the pedal (like when you set off but dont swing your leg over the top bar) after losing a jockey wheel...did that for about 6 miles.
Generally I've been lucky...but I wouldn't use my phone as a first resort.

 

[Accy cyclist]

Being that sort of person, whenever I see a fellow cyclist apparently in trouble, I always stop and offer assistance. What I find interesting is that when it's a lycra'd up bloke on a road bike, my offer of assistance is invariably politely declined with a statement to the effect of '..It's okay, I've 'phoned the wife / partner / girlfriend / the other 'arf and she's picking me up..'
Now there are those of us who either don't have the benefit of a wife / partner / girlfriend / other 'arf, or they don't drive or there isn't a car available.
So WE have to deal with whatever the situation is - !

Observations please - !

I'm crap at punctures and other bike stuff, so if you're ever around these parts and you or anyone else offers me assistance YOU/THEY WILL NOT BE TURNED AWAY!!