The Kindness of strangers

[jonny jeez]

With all defference to Kate Adie, I thought I should add my own notes to her effort.

Had a great ride home tonight. The ride was much like any other...except for the fact that I picked up my first puncture (on the nu-bike).

I was almost home and it provided a much needed distraction from climbing bromley hill (any excuse). Thing is, I was taken aback at the fact that I was asked by almost every passing rider if I was ok

but better still...

A young lady rider stopped and was kind and generous enough to offer me a spare tube (to which I gratefully declined as I was packing a few of my own)
To be honest she wasnt only kind and generous, she was beautiful as well. Infact, If she/you are a member of this forum and I have ever disagreed with you then let me say now "I was wrong and I apologise!"

But better still...

a second or two later a chap turned up brandishing a track pump for me to use (he lived across the busy road and had clearly gone out of his way to come and assist).

I was a little nervous of using my rapid inflation thigy for the first time, in the dark... so this was a welcome gesture

What a smashing bunch cyclists are.

 

[fossyant]

Blimey. I punctured this week on the way into Manchester and was passed by many cyclists. Not one said a thing, or stopped. Then again, the bike was in bits and I was busy repairing it pronto.

 

[gaz]

The last time I had a flat it was peeing it down in freezing temperatures on the superhighway. Funnily enough not one person asked if I needed a hand or anything, must have had at least 40 cyclists pass me.

 

[jonny jeez]

Blimey. I punctured this week on the way into Manchester and was passed by many cyclists. Not one said a thing, or stopped. Then again, the bike was in bits and I was busy repairing it pronto.

The last time I had a flat it was peeing it down in freezing temperatures on the superhighway. Funnily enough not one person asked if I needed a hand or anything, must have had at least 40 cyclists pass me.

Clearly I am more attractive proposition than the both of you.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

I was almost home and it provided a much needed distraction from climbing bromley hill (any excuse). Thing is, I was taken aback at the fact that I was asked by almost every passing rider if I was ok

Perhaps the first sentence explains the second! I've only gone up it in the morning but I imagine it can be pretty wearing at the end of a day's work.

 

[fossyant]

Clearly I am more attractive proposition than the both of you.

Nah, I know and look like I know what I am doing... That and full Lycra scared them off.

 

[jonny jeez]

Nah, I know and look like I know what I am doing... That and full Lycra scared them off.

touche

 

[fossyant]

touche

Heh heh.....

 

[jonny jeez]

Perhaps the first sentence explains the second! I've only gone up it in the morning but I imagine it can be pretty wearing at the end of a day's work.

you may be onto something there.

next time you get a flat, shove the bike someplace that people really need an excuse to stop at, then sit back and watch them go to work.

Genius!

 

[BlackPanther]

If I see a cyclist working on an upside down bike, I'd assume he/she needs no assistance. If I see a cyclist pushing a bike I'd stop and ask if they need any help (unless they're pushing it uphill.).

I also stop for motorcyclists.

It seems that I am the only one in the U.K that will stop and help push a conked out car to a safe place. The amount of drivers that will just drive around some poor sod who's broken down at the lights astounds me. Same goes for debris in the road. Last week, a long line of traffic were all slowing to drive on the wrong side of the road around an old oil drum that'd presumably fallen off the back of a lorry. I stopped and was gonna chuck it to the side of the road, but instead put it on my lorry, and now I've cut it down it's new lorry wash bucket!

 

[400bhp]

If I see a cyclist working on an upside down bike, I'd assume he/she needs no assistance.

Don't assume man-shout up!

 

[Gary E]

I have an arrangement with a mate of mine. We both agreed to rescue the other in the event that we broke down.
I had a 40 mile round trip a few weeks ago to collect him after he'd used both of the tubes he carried. He was also freezing cold and it had become very dark.
I figure that's one in the bag for me

 

[fossyant]

Bike upside down means haven't a clue.

 

[TonyEnjoyD]

Last year about 40 mile into the 67 of the Northern Rock Cyclonen going up a medium incline I saw about 15 riders ahead of me Just ride on past a rider - looked in his late 50's- lying on the road half under his bike.
I stopped to check if he was ok, helped get his bike off him and get moving as he ad severe cramps.
He thanked me profusely and i asked why no one had stopped to help him and he just shrugged "dunno".

To say that I was gobsmacked by other riders lack of concern is putting it mildly!
Tony

 

[Pat "5mph"]

I used not to stop for broken down cyclists on my commute, because I do not have a clue myself. Since frequenting this forum, however, I picked up a few useful tips , like always carrying basic tools.
So once I rescued a guy who was trying to straighten his handlebars with the most enormous spanner
I always stop for a woman, even if it is only to offer moral support, most of the practical still eludes me, but I do have the allan key set!