there is a (bicycle) god

[Dave Flanagan]

Got a puncture today near Bishopsbourne, the first for a long time. I always carry a spare tube and a repair kit so apart from the inconvenience wasn't too bothered. So I get spare tube out, start to fit it and then realize I've packed a short stemmed presta and I can't fit the adapter. Option 2 I now have to repair punctured tube, so I take out repair kit and discover the glue has dried out. I am now sat on the side of the road thinking about a walk of at least 5 miles to Canterbury when a car drives past, stops and then reverses. I could not believe my luck the guy was a fellow cyclist, he enquired about my dilemma and said no problem here's a spare tube. I offered him a drink but he politely refused saying one day that might be me on the side of the road.
I myself have always asked fellow cyclists if they need help when I see them at the side of the road and that has been reciprocated on various occasions but I've always been equipped.
Today was my hour of need and the Bicycle God appeared......thankyou
Anyone else shared such fortune?

 

[alans]

Karma

 

[Dave 123]

Nice one Dave! Luckier than I have been in the past

 

[EltonFrog]

Good that. I've done that myself, bloke punctured in my village, I stopped to check he was ok he had no tube, I went home got him one, gave it to him. He had no money, don't worry about it says I, pay it forward one day. Good Karma.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

I had similar last year: got a puncture, my spare tube was faulty, then a passing cyclist gave me a tube. Unfortunately, the tube he gave me didn't last long, either, and I ended up paying good money for a taxi-van to get me the rest of the way home, so not one of my better commutes. Still, I appreciated being helped like that.

 

[stuee147]

its good to know that even with all the bad stuff you see and hear on tv and in the papers there are still some good folk out there.
i do myself tend to stop and see if someone needs help

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

I wonder what the chances are that a driver has a spare long valve inner tube in their car. I'd only have one if I was on a park and ride outing. I reckon, even with cyclists' good will, you were lucky.

 

[Accy cyclist]

I spotted a cyclist mending a puncture near my house yesterday. We got chatting about cycling stuff(he was 40 miles from home) and i offered him a lend of my track pump which he was grateful for. I also made him a cup of tea and gave him some home made spud pie and mushy peas.

 

[Keith Oates]

It's good to read the posts above and to know that there is still a good camaraderie between many cyclists, long may it last!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Globalti]

Here's an idea: all drivers in popular cycling areas like Surrey, the Ribble Valley etc, should be obliged to carry a spare bicycle inner tube and a pump and stop to render assistance. That would make drivers much happier people!

 

[ColinJ]

Somebody on the recent Spring Into The Dales audax got a long split down the side of a tyre. This was way out in Wharfedale at about the most distant location on the route. Several other cyclists were helping so I did not stop, but as I passed someone whipped out a spare tyre!

I have fixed broken chains for stranded riders on several occasions.

I met an old man walking a bike with a flat tyre up 'on the tops'. He told me that he was miles from home but didn't want to trouble me. I managed to persuade him to accept my help and had him back on the bike fairly quickly.

On the flip side ... a cyclist stopped to see if I needed help fixing a puncture. I told him that I was ok, thanks, but quickly changed my mind when I realised that I didn't have my glasses with me and could not really see what I was doing!

 

[tadpole]

A couple of months ago I was walking along the cycle path on my way to pick up a re-laced front wheel from a (new to me) cycle shop, I noticed a group of lads all huddled round a fixie with a flat, naturally I stopped and asked them was there a problem, I was told to fark off. the bike shop was 5 minutes walk away. I collected my wheel and the lads were still there 15 minutes later. I smiled as I walked passed. Karma bites

 

[addictfreak]

Did my own little good deed today. Passed a guy with a puncture on my way home, quickly turned round and offered assistance. He said he had everything he needed (spare tube etc) but I said I would hang on just in case he had problems changing it. Sure enough his pump didn't seem to work, no worries I have another pump in my bag he said. Pump number two also doesn't seem to work! Fortunately mine did the job, just as well, as he had about 15 miles to travel.

 

[MickeyBlueEyes]

On a ride out last Sunday, cold and wet through, I stopped when I saw a guy walking with his bike. He had a front wheel flat and he said he had a tube in his pocket but his hands were too cold to change it. Three times I offered to do it for him but he wouldn't let me. I was then shocked when he said he only had another hours walk before he was home! I felt better though for having offered.

 

[Globalti]

Jeez. Some people are just too pig-headed.