Just NOT cool

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I am Spartacus

Über Member
Location
N Staffs
I had changed the cassette about a bit yesterday.. in doing so I had taken a bit of air out of the rear tyre to take wheel off.

Out this morning and felt I had puncture.. derr had forgotten to pump tyre back up..
so was on side of road.. bent over with me actually very efficient Blackburn airstick giving it the ol' pump.
Rider, meaning not an old lady on shopper, passed me by completing ignoring me.
I would never pass another cyclist who is obviously making some kind of road repair without at least saying a quick hiya and you ok?

I dont want to make any generality statement here, but the guy was on MTB in full winter wear .. my only thought was...
ignorant sod
 
That's a bit unreasonable, sorry. If I pass another cyclist who's obviously on top of their problem, who's actually pumping up their tyre (evidently having fixed the p****ure) why bother to interfere? It's when I see a cyclist who appears to be at a total loss - especially the one you see sitting by the roadside staring dejectedly at their broken steed - that I'd be inclined to stop. Offer help where it's needed: don't overdo it.

Maybe a quick "Hi are you OK?" is OK, but some cyclists will find even that patronizing.

Anyway, no harm seems to have been done!
 
I can see why you were annoyed, but not everyone is comfortable with asking questions of a total stranger. It's just the way things are and doesn't necessarily mean the other rider was ignoring you. They probably thought you looked like you knew what to do anyway.

Sometimes I do ask if people are ok when I pass a repair job underway - sometimes I don't. I get about the same level of interest when the roles are reversed, so I can live with that. I don't personally find that what riders are wearing (even if it seems incongruous) makes a difference to whether they show an interest. A drunk waving a beer can even asked about my derailleur repair once!
 

fossyant

Ride It Like You Stole It!
Location
South Manchester
Most folk I see are well into the job.. if I see someone who is struggling, I'll ask. Once saw a guy pull over whilst he was climbing the cat and fiddle, I was coming down. I slowed and asked if he was ok....."yeh fine - just taking some photos"....."ah, just checking you didn't have a mechanical...."
 

ianrauk

Tattooed Beat Messiah
Location
Rides Ti2
I only ask if they look like they are having trouble or they catch my eye. If they are into the job I just leave them be
 
Location
Rammy
I often won't stop since I rarely carry tools with me, and if i did, most parts of my road bike are imperial and so tools i have won't fit.

no point stopping for someone who's obviously sorting it when i've no further knowledge nor tools to offer.

I did stop half way round the off road course at cannock to help someone put their crank back on as i knew I had the tool to do so in my bag.
 

02GF74

Über Member
whenever I see a cyclist having mechanicals, I slow down to kick them in the arse, hard, knowing they will not be able to catch me.
 

Joe24

More serious cyclist than Bonj
Location
Nottingham
If i see someone fiddling with their gears, i ride past and go:
"hahahahaaaa! get a fixed you idiot!"

Infact, with most things i tell them to get a fixed, or i just go and point at laugh at the gears. Then i ride of very fast.
 

redjedi

Über Member
Location
Brentford
I am Spartacus said:
so was on side of road.. bent over with me actually very efficient Blackburn airstick giving it the ol' pump.

Perhaps they didn't see the pump in your hand and thought you were trying to have a "private" moment with your bike :cry:
 

Wigsie

Nincompoop
Location
Kent
ianrauk said:
I only ask if they look like they are having trouble or they catch my eye. If they are into the job I just leave them be

You mean if it's an attractive young laydee Ian? :cry:
 
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