Road side assistance.

[sackville d]

So you see somebody up ahead with a bit of a technical.Obviously you stop,but how much assistance do you give?

I ask if they are in need of anything,tools ,innertubes etc which I would gladly lend.but it would have to be somebody pretty special for me to actually do the repair for them.
Three weeks ago spent 5 minutes with a chap just calling a taxi for him. Rear mech fubar.
The other day a chap was having problems with his shifters
"Need anything mate?".
"No thanks unless you`ve got a jet wash with you"
"Sorry mate"

I have yet to try stopping, and then with the strongest Yorkshire accent I can manage say things like
"Tha`s doing it all wrong lad" whilst tutting and shaking my head. On second thoughts,I think I`ll leave that one out.
I might end up needing assistance for a fat lip myself.

So, back to the original question,how much assistance do you give ( before you give up on them? )

 

[Dirk]

I will always stop if someone is obviously in need of assistance.
I have repaired punctures, changed tubes, fixed a broken chain etc. when the need occurs. If I'm in the car I will offer a lift.
It never ceases to amaze me how ill prepared some people are when out on a bike.
Hopefully, if I ever need some serious help, someone like me might come along.

 

[sackville d]

I will always stop if someone is obviously in need of assistance.
I have repaired punctures, changed tubes, fixed a broken chain etc. when the need occurs. If I'm in the car I will offer a lift.
It never ceases to amaze me how ill prepared some people are when out on a bike.
Hopefully, if I ever need some serious help, someone like me might come along.

A mate of mine rides around without innertube or pump on the logic that he`s never had a puncture yet.
I think for people like that (and I do love him) It would be a case of "Bed.....Lie in it"
And of course it goes without saying that he would be able to update his status on various social medja whilst at the road side.

 

[raleighnut]

If someone has stopped by the roadside I always ask if they need owt.

 

[Katherine]

My husband helps me to keep my bike in good order and I carry tools and inner tubes with me but I might need help/expertise /brute strength to actually use them. That's one of the reasons why I've never riden more than 11 miles from home on my own, just add lots of extra loops. If I had a problem, I would have a try but would also accept any help offered. I would then be able to offer hand wipes etc.
I also carry a few antiseptic wipes, plasters etc.
I always stop to see if people need anything , 'Do as you would be done by'.

 

[Turbo Rider]

I've never seen anyone to stop for, but round my way, this community spirit which I hear about does not seem to exist. I've stopped for a puncture once...just got stared at...stopped due to a faulty freehub issue as well...stood by the side of the road for at least 45 minutes...5 cyclists go by...not a single toss given...bizarrely enough though, car drivers do seem to stop...just goes to show...there's more cars on the road, so the chances of finding someone who cares is increased...that and Surrey commuter cyclists are twunts, IME...not that I needed help anyway...fixed puncture myself and OH picked me up for the other one...

 

[iancity]

Only stopped once, and that was to make a tel call to wor lass...but as I was standing there 3 separate cyclists came by, and all, without fail, asked if I was ok, needed anything etc

 

[BigAl68]

I always ask, sometimes give away a tube or quick link and have repaired the odd bike. Fixed a 4 year olds bike when I was out on Friday. Chain had ended up between the freewheel and frame. Also tightened the handlebars and sear post. The dad was grateful if embarrassed his sons bike so obviously not in good shape.

 

[PeteXXX]

Like others, I always ask if assistance is needed if another cyclist looks like they're in trouble.
Usually this is reciprocated down the line if I am stopped somewhere with issues.

Karma..

 

[stephec]

I've stopped whenever I've seen someone with a mechanical.

The only time anyone's needed help though was a young lady on a supermarket MTB, with her chain jammed between the block and drop out.

Five minutes of indexing and she was on her way with a smile.

 

[summerdays]

I've asked, I've stopped, I've ridden on by .... All depends on a lot of things.... There isn't usually any point stopping if they look like it's completely under control, tube out etc. I don't carry a spare tube myself, but have given out repair kits occasionally. I carry a first aid kit so I've stopped and helped out with the occasion child accident (normally lots of tears, just needing a wipe and plaster), as I remember others helping with plasters when mine were little.

I'm unlikely to stop if it's dark, and very quiet.

 

[Moodyman]

I offer help, but most cyclists seem to have it covered.

I did once fix a guys broken chain and saved him a 7 mile walk to train station.

Then there was another bloke with a spare tube and pump. But his spare tube valve was leaking so air would'nt hold*. This was about 200 yards from my house and I popped home and got my track pump and spare tube.

* a good reason to carry 2 tubes.

 

[sackville d]

Hopefully, if I ever need some serious help, someone like me might come along.

If it was a serious issue and the helpee needed a third hand whilst getting stuck in on the job themselves,I`m all there

If someone has stopped by the roadside I always ask if they need owt.

Absolutely. It`s that point where "Do you need `owt?" becomes "You want me to do what?" that is at the heart of this one though.
In all fairness though, I haven`t always had the roadside skills that I have now, and have had to fall on the kindness of locals,"Can I use your phone please?"( pre-mobile days.)
and friends "Can you pick me up please?"

I would have a try but would also accept any help offered. I would then be able to offer hand wipes etc.

You Kathrine are the perfect candidate for all out help.from me. Your having a go,your a lady (sorry if my chivalrous attitude offends anyone) and you have wipes so my white bar tape won`t get shittened up.

I will always help other people if they need it.

You Sir are the milkman of human kindness

5 cyclists go by...not a single toss given

This Surrey lot seem a rum bunch,but in all fairness freehub issues (God knows I`ve had `em) is asking a bit much....probably even of a passing local CTC group.

Only stopped once, and that was to make a tel call to wor lass...but as I was standing there 3 separate cyclists came by, and all, without fail, asked if I was ok, needed anything etc

It is good to know isn`t it that some sort of sympathy is just around the corner.Couple of years ago chain link came apart and within 2 minutes a passing tourer and a local racing whippet had stopped to see how things were.

The dad was grateful if embarrassed his sons bike so obviously not in good shape.

In my mind there was almost the possibility of a lecture for the father in the style of an early `70s public information film.
"You let your child ride a deathtrap like this? Grazed knees cost tears."

Like others, I always ask if assistance is needed if another cyclist looks like they're in trouble.
Usually this is reciprocated down the line if I am stopped somewhere with issues.

Karma..

It`s good to know the Universe has a special place in it`s heart for cyclists

I offer help, but most cyclists seem to have it covered.

I did once fix a guys broken chain and saved him a 7 mile walk to train station.

Then there was another bloke with a spare tube and pump. But his spare tube valve was leaking so air would'nt hold*. This was about 200 yards from my house and I popped home and got my track pump and spare tube.

* a good reason to carry 2 tubes.

I seem to remember a similar thing happening to myself but had the second tube to fall back on.Even the one tube problem could be got around with laws that make it mandatory to hand over a spare tube to those that need one. "Give us your spare tube mate,it`s the law."
I would gladly hand over a spare tube to somebody stuck without.And if they tried to reimburse me the cost then so much the better.

 

[Mugshot]

I'll always slow and ask if someone needs help, haven't been taken up on it yet. I did have one chap that started saying something to me as I was asking if everything was ok so I stopped..........I ended up standing there whilst he told me about his health issues, his divorce, his family etc, etc I was trying to get a word in edgeways for about 3/4 of an hour before I eventually managed a "Gotta go mate."
Never had it reciprocated though, best I had was somebody saying "Got a puncture have you?" as they sailed past, as it happens I hadn't I was sat on the bank waiting for my mate, even so....

 

[sackville d]

I'll always slow and ask if someone needs help, haven't been taken up on it yet. I did have one chap that started saying something to me as I was asking if everything was ok so I stopped..........I ended up standing there whilst he told me about his health issues, his divorce, his family etc, etc I was trying to get a word in edgeways for about 3/4 of an hour before I eventually managed a "Gotta go mate."
Never had it reciprocated though, best I had was somebody saying "Got a puncture have you?" as they sailed past, as it happens I hadn't I was sat on the bank waiting for my mate, even so....

After about 5 minutes, I think I would be tutting at his rear mech allignment and asking if he wanted me to take a look.......
. You really took one for us all there Mugshot.
How would other CC members have extricated themselves from this situation and how quickly?