General Cycling Discussion - Is one out of 15 good or bad?

I ran into some trouble on my ride today. A piece of copper wire punctured my tire and I had abandoned ship on the side of the road. I stood on the side of the road awaiting help to arrive. During that time, about 15 cyclist rode by... One of them stopped to offer help.

Funny enough, I came home to patch up my tube, and I went out again. During my ride, I came across someone with a broken chain... You bet I made sure I stopped to offer any assistance I could.

I wasn't expecting anyone else to donate their own tube for my benefit... It was just a neat 'accidental' experiment to see how many would offer their help.

What about you guys? What's your ratio of "stop and help" vs. "ride-on"?

Are you male or female?

If you're male, most other cyclists would assume that you travel with a couple spare tubes, tire levers, a pump, and the knowledge of how to change your own tire. I know if I see a male cyclist in the ditch with his bicycle, I figure he's got everything under control.

If you are female, and no one stopped, I'm surprised. For some reason many cyclists I've come across assume I don't carry my own spare tubes, tire levers, a pump, and the knowlege of how to change my own tire. I've even had vehicle drivers pull up and ask if they can be of any assistance.

You didn't have a spare tube or patch kit?

Anyhow, I ask if the other rider needs help unless I am in a big hurry.

Are you male or female?

If you're male, most other cyclists would assume that you travel with a couple spare tubes, tire levers, a pump, and the knowledge of how to change your own tire. I know if I see a male cyclist in the ditch with his bicycle, I figure he's got everything under control.

If you are female, and no one stopped, I'm surprised. For some reason many cyclists I've come across assume I don't carry my own spare tubes, tire levers, a pump, and the knowlege of how to change my own tire. I've even had vehicle drivers pull up and ask if they can be of any assistance.


I'm thinking the frequency of offers to help has less to do with assuming you aren't prepared, and more to do with seeing an attractive female with a fit bod.

I'm thinking the frequency of offers to help has less to do with assuming you aren't prepared, and more to do with seeing an attractive female with a fit bod.

pedalMonger speaks the truth.

I stood on the side of the road awaiting help to arrive.
Did you call AAA for help?

I stop if someone is fixing a bike to see if help is needed. If someone is just staying on the side of the road that usually mean he's taking a break, no need to slow down for him.

I am a male. I don't bring a patch kit or spare tube if I know I can call someone to come and get me, and that was the case today.

The whole thing about male vs. female cyclist never actually crossed my mind. Not only are cyclist not too keen to stop to help.. but they are sexist to think male cyclists are more prepared.. haha... About the attractive female with a fit body, I wouldn't be able to tell you unless I do some serious undercover work...

I would tend to think maybe the size of the town you are in would have something to do with people offering help as well.

I am a male. I don't bring a patch kit or spare tube if I know I can call someone to come and get me, and that was the case today.



You must have someone very amicable at home!! Personally, I'd feel bad calling someone to come and get me if I had the ability to fix the problem myself.

... about 15 cyclist rode by... One of them stopped to offer help.But it was the first one that stopped, right? ;)

I stood on the side of the road awaiting help to arrive. During that time, about 15 cyclist rode by... One of them stopped to offer help.
And you tried to wave them down and asked for help?

Live and learn.

I had a flat a couple of weeks ago. I ride in a rural area, so it is not uncommon to go 20 or so miles without seeing another cyclist. In this case, a single rider did come by, and he did stop and offer assistance. A couple of people in cars/trucks also stopped. Probably depends a lot on where you live. People in Indiana Amish country tend to be pretty friendly and helpful.

I'll stop if I think someone is in trouble. OK call me sexist but I'm more prone to stop for women than for men. Many reasons. Less upper body strength means pumping up the tube is more of a bother for a woman. Since i'm 200 lbs plus less so for me. Women also (on average) seem to be more pleasent to ride with, so there is an upside. Generally I just ask if someone needs help as I ride by. If it seems clear they do not I might not ask.

I've noticed that one is actaully most apt to get no help when there are lots of people there, everyone else thingks someone else will stop. I once broke some spoke nipples in the middle of nowhere and when trying to retrue the wheel broke more. I had a full Grizzly Adams Beard at the time, but someone stopped and gave me a lift.

".. but they are sexist to think male cyclists are more prepared.. haha..."

Well, it may be sexist, but did you consider life in gereral?
Men tend to resist another persons help regarding mechanical devices more than women.