Very disappointed..........

[speccy1]

I ventured out on the bike last Sunday afternoon, due to me climbing the walls and dithering about whether to go out or not, only did 25 miles or so but still blew the cobwebs away.

Anyhoo, a few miles in, I had that sinking feeling that the bike was bouncing as I was peddling. Trying to convince myself that it was my imagination was fruitless - my rear tyre was flat

I stopped by a bus stop, which was in the middle of nowhere, took my wheel off, and started to do the necessary. In that time (about 15 mins) I counted 7 other riders pass me, and just blank me. Before anybody says it, I KNOW THEY DON`T HAVE TO HELP, but come on, if I ever see anybody fiddling with their bike on the side of the road I stop and ask if they are ok or need any help. I`ve lost count of the number of times I`ve done this. It wouldn`t hurt if somebody just returned the favour, just once.

This really pissed me off, as I thought we were all enjoying a common interest and maybe looked out for one another, how wrong was I? Makes we want to just ride on the next time I see somebody in trouble, I won`t because it`s not in my nature, but I certainly am tempted

 

[raleighnut]

If you're by a bus stop they'd probably think you were an Audax rider so were carrying everything you needed to completely strip and rebuild any bike imaginable..........................................or getting ready for a bit of a kip.

 

[jefmcg]

Seven is not a lot. Between the ones running late, the ones who know zero about bike maintenance and the ones who had no tools, there may have easily been no one who felt they had any help to offer.

I almost always offer, even to stranded motorists. Karma in the bank.

 

[ColinJ]

I don't always ASK but I do LOOK. If the other rider seems to be ok, I usually acknowledge them and carry on. If they appear to be struggling, then I offer to help. Example #1. Example #2.

 

[Spinney]

I've been asked if I needed help when I was just eating my lunch by the roadside! Must have looked knackered or something.
But the thought was appreciated...

 

[Lonestar]

I'd never expect anyone to stop....I did have a p*nct*re at Stratford a few years back and a pedestrian advised me to get a car though.

Ah ColinJ reminds me.I did ask a cyclist on Southwark Bridge if he was ok as he had a buckled wheel after a confrontation with a black cab.Felt really sorry for him.

 

[rugby bloke]

Although I know virtually nothing about bicycle maintenance I would always stop to offer assistance, if only for moral support.

 

[User33236]

I stopped asking, unless the person is in obvious need of help, after being told to go forth and multiply by one chap!

 

[martint235]

I sometimes ask but to be honest I'm a danger to my own bike, you really don't want me messing with yours.

 

[Deleted member 35268]

I always ask, and I thought it was the norm to ask. I'd be mildly annoyed. One time someone did actually need help. They were on an "organised" ride with 25 others and this guy had NO innertubes. Stupidly, I let him have one of mine (I carry x2). I gave him my details to send me one back - Did I ever get one back - no. Am I bothered, not really. He had a Canyon Carbon mathingy, so not sure of a few bob either.

 

[fossyant]

I blame the golfers !

 

[jefmcg]

I almost always offer, unless I'm on a tight deadline. I think I've only been needed once, by two guys in SPD-SL walking to the nearest station. Turns out they didn't know how to use CO2 and expelled the contents of both cylinders into the atmosphere #globalwarming.

There have been two times when I have been shocked that no one offered me a hand. Once was when I was trying to mend a tube on my folder in the heart of London City, wearing office clothes. No of the hundreds of people who passed me that day asked if I was ok (situation was unsalvageable as maladjusted brake had destroyed the tyre). The other was on a trail heading towards Eastbourne, where mud had completely blocked the gap between mudguard and wheel. I did not look like I knew what I was doing, and I was a long way from help, but none of the families passing made any eye contact. Again, I did not need help.

 

[ColinJ]

I have been asked a few times but usually do not need help. One time however, I had something sharp embedded in a tyre and I didn't have my reading glasses with me so I couldn't really see what I was doing. A rider passing asked if he could help so I asked him to dig it out for me.

 

[Mugshot]

I was sat on a grassy bank one day with my bike next to me when someone happened past on their bike;
"Got a puncture have you?" He asked......as he pedalled off into the distance.
As it happened I didn't I was waiting for my mate to catch up, but it made me smile.

 

[Dogtrousers]

I recently helped out a guy to the extent of donating a packet of self adhesive patches (I would've given him a tube but he was on a MTB. ) Anyway this means I've paid my dues for at least a year, so no more good Samaritan for me.