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

[fatjel]

I always ask if I see a cyclist stopped by the road..
Asked one french guy four times on one audax.
He'd tear past me then a while later he'd be mending a puncture
He tho seemed to have an endless supply of tubes and good humour

 

[mrandmrspoves]

A year or two ago I was cycling home as quickly as I could ahead of an impending rain storm. I cycled past a couple on the other side of the road and the chap had one of the bikes upside down. In my haste, I carried on (it was downhill too!) but then I thought - what if they need help? (Normally I always offer help - so it was a combination of the impending rain, the downhill and the fact that he seemed to know what he was doing that influenced my initial decision) I decided to go back just to see if they needed a hand and I am really glad I did. They were a young couple and his chain had snapped, they had no tools and no idea of how to fix the chain (he was trying to push it back together with a stone) They were fretting because their daughter was due out of primary school in about 30 minutes and they were about 4 miles away. They had no money and no phone with them. It took me about 5 minutes to remove the broken link and join with a quick link. (I carry spare quick links for any chain from 5 to 11 speed) There gratitude was immeasurable - and we'll worth a few minutes of my time and a quick link.

 

[speccy1]

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.

I`m never running late, know enough to get by, don`t have a huge amount of tools, and am not an expert, but doesn`t stop me giving a quick "everything alright?" before I shoot past. Costs nothing

 

[summerdays]

In the last two weeks I've handed out two puncture repair kits, and asked someone I passed this morning pushing their bike if they were OK, they said they were fine. I also had someone ask me yesterday as they passed me fiddling with a light just before it tipped with rain.

Last time the fairy visited me, someone stopped and helped me.

I don't ask everyone, sometimes I'm running late, and it's tempting to keep going when it's tipping down with rain. I'd also be less likely to offer if it was in the dark and isolated. If they look like they have everything under control then I keep going.

 

[speccy1]

Never quite understand these sorts of posts. Where does the all in it together, and looking out for each other come from? It's a bit like being upset because another cyclist doesn't acknowledge you! Why should they! It's lumping all people who happen to be on two wheels together, as if they have something in common. Do you say hello to everyone you pass in the street? Or, wave to every oncoming car driver you see when driving?
Don't get me wrong, I will always stop if I think I can be of any help whether they are walking, cycling or driving - but, solely because I believe that is what I should do. I've stopped for broken down cars and bikes, and a pedestrian falling flat on their face in the road!

Ok, I`ll cycle for my own pleasure, and my pleasure only. Screw any bugger else.

The next time I`m on a club run and somebody has a mechanical, I`ll just stand there and twiddle my thumbs. If we can`t be in it together, then stuff everybody else, we`ll all stand around and shiver until the individual has sorted their problem out.

I don`t get some people..........................

 

[speccy1]

In the last two weeks I've handed out two puncture repair kits, and asked someone I passed this morning pushing their bike if they were OK, they said they were fine. I also had someone ask me yesterday as they passed me fiddling with a light just before it tipped with rain.

Last time the fairy visited me, someone stopped and helped me.

I don't ask everyone, sometimes I'm running late, and it's tempting to keep going when it's tipping down with rain. I'd also be less likely to offer if it was in the dark and isolated. If they look like they have everything under control then I keep going.

You seem very lucky!

I`m perfectly capable of sorting out my own "air escapement from ones wheel!" and didn`t actually need any assistance, but the fact I was stranded by the side of the road must be enough. I don`t "expect" it, but just to be asked, once in my lifetime would be nice. I have given away inner tubes, brought people home to sort their b ikes (I live on the 27 route, and cyclist problems are plentiful), offered people lifts, let others use my phone, etc etc etc. To just have the favour returned once would be nice, but no.....................

 

[summerdays]

You seem very lucky!

I`m perfectly capable of sorting out my own "air escapement from ones wheel!" and didn`t actually need any assistance, but the fact I was stranded by the side of the road must be enough. I don`t "expect" it, but just to be asked, once in my lifetime would be nice. I have given away inner tubes, brought people home to sort their b ikes (I live on the 27 route, and cyclist problems are plentiful), offered people lifts, let others use my phone, etc etc etc. To just have the favour returned once would be nice, but no.....................

I'm female maybe I just look helpless as I have been offered help on several occasions even when I've just stopped to let my other half know where I am! Not everyone will stop, and as I say if I'm late (one of my bad habits is knowing how long a bike journey takes so only leaving that amount if time), I won't stop and will hope someone else will. But I'd feel guilty if I didn't ask and as a female I think it is easier for me to offer help to a child.

 

[Moodyman]

Got overtaken by another cycle commuter last week as I was near home. He was really giving it some welly. 500 metres later he pulled up onto the pavement and had his bike upside down.

As I caught up I lowered my balaclava from my face and cheekily said "if you'd been looking at the Tarmac instead of your speedo you might have avoided that puncture". He laughed.

Anyhows, I offered to nip home and get me track pump and inner tube but he had it all covered.

 

[speccy1]

My only exception to this story was a commute home a few months ago. In the evenings I use the railway line instead of the road. On this particular day I overtook an "all the gear no idea type" who obviously took offence. A few hundred yards on, he returned the favour - I don`t care, it`s a commute home, not a race. A bit further on, there are 4 gates to control the sheep, I had caught him up again at this stage, and he let every one slam in my face.

Off he sped...............

A mile up the road he`s there with a puncture, he wanted my help then, I told him where to go.

The following morning I went back to work the same way, innner tube, box, and a host of other crap dumped where he had stopped. Just about sums it up..............

 

[Accy cyclist]

I ask if they're ok but i've never had a No i'm not can you help, yet. They must sense i have nothing to offer apart from moral support. The best help i had was when my chain snapped. A fellow cyclist saw me pushing my bike the seven miles home and stopped to help. He got his wife to pick us up and he fixed the chain for me when we got to his house. He didn't ask for a penny,saying he'd be paid back when he needs help in the future.

 

[Ian H]

I agree, I never understood the tubeless tyres thing, once it`s flat, you`re f*cked

Tubs (tubular tyres) and tubeless tyres are two different things.

 

[speccy1]

Tubs (tubular tyres) and tubeless tyres are two different things.

You get my jist..............

 

[Ian H]

You get my jist..............

I think so, but my point is that tubeless tyres are becoming a very good choice for cyclists, being very puncture-resistant and easy to fix.

 

[Flick of the Elbow]

I don't mind helping someone with a genuine mechanical but I get seriously hacked off when I find that they've made no effort themselves to carry basic spares/tools and/or to acquire the knowledge to use them. That includes basic maintenance to keep the bike from breaking down in the first place. You've made your bed...

 

[Pale Rider]

My group stopped the other Sunday to mend a chain for a woman who was walking home.

She had about five miles to do.

What impressed me was she was very calm about the situation, quite prepared to walk but also very grateful to us for getting her going.