Would you help anyone on the road ?

[CopperBrompton]

I'm the least mechanical person in the world, so the chances of me being able to do anything useful are slim, but I'll always stop and ask anyway. I do carry a few tools, and even if someone doesn't need any help, I think it's still nice to be asked.

Ben

 

[Dayvo]

Guys yes, but I would draw the line with children and females

I disagree!

Two years ago, I had just finished work for the day and was cycling homebound along the path where the golfers walk on their way to the 1st tee.
Two young girls of about 8 or 9 were standing by their bikes by the side of the path, and one of the girls had very greasy hands.
I asked her if she needed some help and she said that her chain had come off and got stuck behind the chainring and she couldn't put it back on. NONE of the golfers had offered to help, despite her pleas. I managed to work it free and put it back on.
The girl's face was a delight to see. She looked SO happy.
I was only about 50 yards away from the clubhouse so I suggested that they follow me so that they could wash their hands, which they did.
When they'd finished, the girl I'd helped dug into her little purse and offered to give me a 10 kronor coin (about 70p). I smiled and told her that if or when she ever sees anyone who needs help, she should at least offer some assistance.
I didn't think anymore of this, but last year, I saw her with her grandmother and she excitedly told her that I was the nice man who'd helped her; she ran over to me and said that she had followed my advice and actually helped someone in need; she'd lent them her pump!
So, if the situation arises, you should help anyone you can.

 

[Arch]

I'd forgotton! I once stopped to offer puncture repair material and a pump to a chap I saw in town. His kid's pushchair was one of those modern ones with inflatable tyres, and it had a flat!

He said he was fine, so off I went. It did look funny though, a buggy sitting there at a funny angle with one wheel off!

Talking of buggies, factoid of the day: The Maclaren buggy, the first lightweight pram of it's kind, was designed by the same man who designed the undercarriage of the Spitfire....

 

[beachcaster]

I would always offer unless they looked a bit dodgy.

So that rules Gordon Brown out then ??

barry

 

[dav1d]

On the way to my Aunt's in Wythenshawe earlier today, I realised my wheel wasn't tightened properly and it slipped rubbing on the forks (it was a quick release one and a friend had put it on after changing the innertube I ruined putting on Marathon Plus tyres: I can put an innertube and wheel on fine, but he insisted. I thought he would have tightened it properly and I'm ashamed to say I didn't check he had).

I stopped just after Rusholme and tried to put it right, but had a "blonde moment" (no offence to blondes, lol I was blonde when I was a kid, though I had very dark hair when I was born so that's a bit weird! Now it's a brown/dark brown colour) and couldn't work out how to get the wheel on right (I usually have no problem with putting wheels on!).

A guy on another bike pulled up and asked if I needed any help. Slightly embarressed that I couldn't put a wheel on, I said I was alright. But he stayed and helped me put it on. I thanked him, and off he went. Was that any of you lot? If so, thanks for your help - and I'm not normally so crap at putting wheels on!

 

[rh100]

Just last week, a guys car had broken down on a busy road and he was trying to push it round the corner on his own. He asked me for help before I had chance to offer, so I glady put the bike down and helped push, thing is though, is that ALL the cars, vans busses etc struggled to get round him and not one offered to help.

I remember several years ago I stopped on my way to to Dorset, got a flat battery in my Mini. Somehow managed to convince 3 Japanese tourists who couldn't speak a word of English to give me a push down the car park - help can come from the strangest places.