General Cycling Discussion - Got my first flat.. :( :)

I know this probably belongs in the mechanic section of the forum, but the reason I am posting is. I got my first flat on the road yesterday on my new bike riding down the santa ana river towards the beach. And about 6 or so bikers passed me while I was changing it, and every single person asked if I needed help or if I had everything I needed. If any of you are out there reading this forum I just wanted to say thank you. It turned a bad experience into a good one. It made me feel good to be part of such a group of caring people. And I got the tube changed out without any problems and continued on my ride. Any of you had anything that happened while on a ride that made you think highly of other cyclists?
..KEvin

I always stop when I see another cyclist "working" on his/her bike on the road/path.
Once I stopped to help a guy who had a flat. He had no spare tube, patch kit, or pump. :confused: :confused:
We got his flat repaired and he continued on his way. Before departing he apologized for delaying my ride and offered to pay for the patch but I suggested he take his money and buy a pump, patch kit, and spare tube. I hope he took my advice.

I've had people stop to ask if I needed help with repairs. Once a guy pulled over in his car (with a roof rack) and asked if he could take me and my bike to a phone in case I had REAL problems.

Cyclists are a special breed of people!
Here's to all of you. :beer:

I have found no group more helpful than other bikers.

And - your FIRST flat!! Hey, there are many more to come, something to look forward to!!

Heah, it can be a hostile world for cyclists. We share a common interest. It seems this is a part of cycle ethics and almost always; either I or a cyclist passing me by asks, are you ok. It would be like abandoning a human out there in the desert, to cope with the wolves.
On a couple of ocassions, in my thousands of miles of riding, I ended up needing an extra tube. A fellow cyclist gave me one and would not accept money to cover its cost.
ps- I find it a wise idea to carry a 'tire patch.' Once got stuck when my tire got really "nailed." A tire patch could remedy this problem.

I got my first flat yesterday, too. Naturally, it had to happen the only time I left my bloody pump at home...had a nice two mile walk home, carrying my bike...

Glad to see that at least you were prepared.

I never go cycling without identification and emergency contact information, telephone change, a transit pass, a patch kit, a spare inner tube, a pump (old-fashioned full-size frame-fit preferred), tyre levers, a small screwdriver, 5- and 6-mm hex (Allen) keys, 8-, 9-, and 10-mm open-end wrenches, and a spoke wrench. I used to carry spare cables, as well, but I cannot recall breaking a cable any time in the past 15 years. I also used to carry spare spokes rubber-banded to my pump.

If I see a cyclist working on or walking his/her bike, I always ask if assistance is needed.

I have also had MOTORISTS offer me assistance after three of my spills, including my great crank-snap.

I always offer assistance to other cyclists when I see them on the road. I haven't had a flat in over 3,500km (I probably shouldn't be saying that), but when I do it always seems to be when there's nobody else around.

Originally posted by Kev
I got my first flat on the road yesterday on my new bike riding down the santa ana river towards the beach. And about 6 or so bikers passed me while I was changing it, and every single person asked if I needed help or if I had everything I needed.
I stopped to put on more clothes, and a biker passed me asking,
"Need any tools?" as I hopped on one foot...

:confused:

("...no, I'm just changing clothes because I'm chilly...")

;)

I don’t see many road cyclists around here. Most are mountain bikers. When I have flats on the back roads I often get offers of help from the general motoring public. (Nice people in my area).

Last summer I was 4 miles from home at the end of a long ride; going down a long hill and riding my brakes too much (I’m new). Well the wheel got over heated and warped badly. I came to a screeching halt because the brakes rubbed so badly. Well I just started trudging home with the bike on my back when an SUV passed and then backed up to pick me up. He was a mountain biker on his way out to the woods and figured that “road bikers don’t usually carry their bikes on their backs”. He loaded my bike in, on top of his and gave me a much needed ride home.

BTW – the LBS replaced the wheel.

Well the wheel got over heated and warped badly.
Umm...MikeR: What kind of wheel warps just from using the brakes?? Either that rim is so old that there is no metal left on the braking surface, or else it is poorly and/or over-tensioned. Either way, those rims should be thrown in the trash, immediately!

I'm 60, overweight and bearded. While pushing my mt. bike up a steep hill, three young girls in a pick-up stopped and asked me if I needed a ride!! No kidding...

And I thought I was doing good.. having some ugly guy cyclists ask me if I had everything i needed :) hehee Now key question did accept their offer?

Originally posted by capkos
I'm 60, overweight and bearded. While pushing my mt. bike up a steep hill, three young girls in a pick-up stopped and asked me if I needed a ride!! No kidding...

Something to look forward to in life! :D

What kind of wheel warps just from using the brakes??

It was the stock wheel on my Bianchi SanRemo - with about 1000 miles on it. I'm just assuming that it was from the brakes. The LBS agreed with you and I got a new wheel - no charge.

young girls in a pick-up stopped and asked me if I needed a ride!!

Hmmm , must be the beard - ya know the Santa syndrome.
Did you accept?

No, sorry but I really needed the exersize.