Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Stopped to help a cyclist

While traveling the lakefront MUP in Chicago a guy with a road bike was standing along the path looking a little confused as he tried to remove his rear wheel. I slowed and asked him if he was ok, "Flat" was the reply. So I swung by and asked if he had supplies and he said "No".

So I stopped, took out my pump, tire irons and a new tube.

I gave him the tire irons, but soon realized he had never used a set successfully.

So I removed the tire, changed the tube and reinstalled the tire. He was only able to take my tube from the package and do some of the pumping to inflate the tube.

While we were finishing, he says. "This is great, not only do I get home, but someone else did all the work!" Then he says "sorry I have nothing to offer you?" I'm thinking ...sure...

I rolled off, a little worst for the experience.

Is it always like this?

He was trying to take off his flat rear wheel when he didn't have any supplies to fix it with? My guess is you'll probably see him stranded again soon. You can smile and wave when you ride by.

Look at it this way: you did your good deed for the day/week/month, and got a bit of karma in the bank for the next time you need it. :)

-DR

Agreed about the karma, and yes, it's always like that. Maybe dude learned something. Maybe not. What did you learn?

Always tell them to pay it forward as payment.

What did you learn?

I'm wondering if he actually had a spare tube and was too lazy, stupid and cheap to use it!

Should I have asked more questions before just helping the guy?

Michael

one can only hope he was so embarrassed that he had nothing to say. we all know better, but it was good for karma. +1

Should I have asked more questions before just helping the guy?

No, you did fine. Maybe he will help someone else down the road. Maybe someone will help you down the road. Or maybe you just did something nice for another human being and that will be the end of it. No matter which, you did good and that is cool. :thumb:

So what, a five dollar tube. Maybe he should have helped, maybe he had no idea what he was doing. Either way you helped out a fellow human, just feel good about it.

Yeah.. move on..

It's not worth it to think about it too much.

Thanks

hey at least you got a bike forum post out of it at the very least

At least he didn't jump on yer bike and ride off while you were fixing his.

No, you did fine. Maybe he will help someone else down the road. Maybe someone will help you down the road. Or maybe you just did something nice for another human being and that will be the end of it. No matter which, you did good and that is cool. :thumb:

+1:thumb:

Yeah.. move on..

It's not worth it to think about it too much.

Thanks

im still impressed that someone, whos team sold their soul to the devil for a rocket armed whiner and a 325lb washed up left tackle, did anything nice for anyone :p

go vikes

I think it's great you stopped to help the guy...but I'm curious what you were hoping for? The guy needed some help and you volunteered yourself and your supplies. If you didn't want to help him, why didn't you keep on trucking?

I have a spare tire, tubes and a pump in the car along with some tools. Tire is used but has some mileage on it and tubes are mixture of patched and new. They are so the wife can come rescue me if I go through everything in my seat pack or for me to give away to stranded cyclists.

At least he didn't jump on yer bike and ride off while you were fixing his.

LOL :roflmao2: :) :roflmao2:

Should I have asked more questions before just helping the guy?

Now I know what to do next time I get a flat: stand around, look clueless, and get somebody else to do all the work! :D

When I stop to help people, I generally let them do all the work while I coach. I hate changing my own flats, so it's hard for me to get excited about doing it for someone else. And while I'm happy to hand out pre-glued patches to strangers, I generally keep tubes to myself unless absolutely required. If the person seems completely clueless, I'll let them know what tools I carry, where they can buy their own, and how much they cost.

I'm in the same boat as sstorkel, I would help/coach and give up a few patches vs. giving up a tube. Main reason is that if I get a flat I need to replace my gear and go so I can get home safe.

You did a good thing by helping the guy but I think you doing all the work was the wrong approach... Though it may have taken more time by having this guy fumble around, he would have learned more by having you walk him through it.

V

If you carry pathes next time patch the tube instead of giving away your spare. That way you have a tube of your own if you need it and the patches cost about 25cents each. Honestly the guy was probably embarassed he didn't know what he was doing, at times we say stupid things when we are embarassed.

You did good. Karma is real in my opinion, but either way you helped someone who at least appeared to be in need.Good On Ya, as our Aussie friends would say.

Do good deeds for the sake of doing good deeds. You helped someone else get home so the warm fuzzies should be plenty enough. Course if his smart remark about you doing all the work and having nothing to offer in return really upset you you should have took your pump off the nozzle, pressed it in and said something like "What, I can't hear you with all this air rushing out of the valve". Or be a real prick and "accidentally" rip the stem out of the tube with your frame pump.

So why didn't you just patch the other guy's tube? I'm always happy to help another cyclist but I'll be darned if I'll give my spare tube unless it is absolutely necessary.

If you carry pathes next time patch the tube instead of giving away your spare. That way you have a tube of your own if you need it and the patches cost about 25cents each. Honestly the guy was probably embarassed he didn't know what he was doing, at times we say stupid things when we are embarassed.

Yeah, that's the likely the case.

Michael

Yeah, yeah, yeah, you did a good deed. But did you wave? :D

Yep, you did well.

Buttttt, I would have alt least asked if he had a spare.

Then my patch kit would have come out - at the very least he would have gotten a lesson on how to remove and patch correctly. Even if he only watched.

Hey - you running the Easter Bunny down this year?

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s227/pjungels/easter/easterbunny.jpg

I would have stopped and done the same thing but maybe coached him through it. I usually carry 2 tubes in my pack so giving one up to stranger would not have been a big deal for me. I would have been a little sharked at the guy when he said he had nothing to offer me. The only thing I would have asked of him, this may sound corny, would be to "Pay it Forward". I am a firm believer in that. I have had folks help me out of the blue so I return the favors by helping others out of the blue when I see they need help. I think doing things like this can be contagious and only spread good will. If anything hopefully the guy learned he should be prepared next time he goes for a ride.

Is it always like this?

Definitely not, usually people are great. I fixed someone's brake (it was clamped on his wheel), and he was very thankful. Have you considered that the guy might have just been trying to be self deprecating and funny, since he was embarassed? I dunno, context can be so strange.

Karma points.

Just remember though: All good Karma is immediately erased if you snark on hybrids. (Same as the rule about attaboys and awsh!ts.)

Yeah, some people are so self-conscious about looking stupid, that they can seem rude when you help them out. You did your good deed, and now he probably knows that he needs to learn how to do it for himself. Seeing it done once is usually enough for people to muddle through it the next time.

Pats on the back. You did good. It sucks about the $5 tube, though, but I'm pretty certain that someone will come through for you someday that does not expect a pay-back. I think that people should do that for one another.

I had a guy give me and my broken bicycle a ride home after I hit a deer in the mountains a couple of years ago. He had a brand new Audi sedan, and just packed my twisted and greasy bicycle into the trunk, and gave me a towel to lessen the chance of me bleeding on the new upholstery. Really nice about it, and would not even let me provide dinner for him and his wife to thank him.

While traveling the lakefront MUP in Chicago a guy with a road bike was standing along the path looking a little confused as he tried to remove his rear wheel. I slowed and asked him if he was ok, "Flat" was the reply. So I swung by and asked if he had supplies and he said "No".

I once stopped to help a guy who had a flat on his car, on the side of a well-traveled road. Someone else had also stopped to help, and he was removing the wheel (driver's side rear); the cars were buzzing by pretty closely, so I directed traffic. When he had the wheel off, he asked the guy for his spare tire. Turned out he didn't have one.

I would feel good that helped someone and leave it at that. I try not to expect too much from people, that way I'm rarely disappointed. :)

Hey don't you think that there's a whole subset of riders who have no intention of ever learning how to fix a flat themselves?

Middle aged women with a cell phone and a husband near by, roadie guys who let their shop (or other riders in their club) do all their work, some pretty girls, families who take the bikes out a couple times a year on a nice day, all come to mind...

I had a guy give me and my broken bicycle a ride home after I hit a deer in the mountains ..........





Way cool.......Matt Lauer is a member of Bike Forums !!!

Way cool.......Matt Lauer is a member of Bike Forums !!!

Me thinks he wouldn't be in the Clydes forum:cheers:

I'm surprised at this cyclist's reaction to you helping him. You did good, and he didn't even try to offer you something... even though if I were to help someone (though I couldn't in this situation since I'm a newbb) I would not take anything in return, it's nice to hear that the person you are helping has a soul.

You should have given him your business card and said it was $5 for the tube and $20 for the labor so he could send the $25 to the address on your card. Maybe he'd learn to ride more prepared next time.

You should have given him your business card and said it was $5 for the tube and $20 for the labor so he could send the $25 to the address on your card. Maybe he'd learn to ride more prepared next time.

You're hardcore. I don't think I've ever carried a business card on a bike ride.

While traveling the lakefront MUP in Chicago a guy with a road bike was standing along the path looking a little confused as he tried to remove his rear wheel. I slowed and asked him if he was ok, "Flat" was the reply. So I swung by and asked if he had supplies and he said "No".

So I stopped, took out my pump, tire irons and a new tube.

I gave him the tire irons, but soon realized he had never used a set successfully.

So I removed the tire, changed the tube and reinstalled the tire. He was only able to take my tube from the package and do some of the pumping to inflate the tube.

While we were finishing, he says. "This is great, not only do I get home, but someone else did all the work!" Then he says "sorry I have nothing to offer you?" I'm thinking ...sure...

I rolled off, a little worst for the experience.

Is it always like this?

Like some others, I would give away either a patch or a patched tube. Come to think of it, I think all my spare tubes at the moment are patched. I have 3 spare tubes, one in the pannier I always carry, one in the other pannier (for longer distance rides) and one on the shelf. When I use one of the spares, I hang the punctured one in the garage, and put the one on the shelf in the pannier as a spare. When I run out of spares, I patch them all using good old fashioned glue on patches. Each one is water tested the day after patching, so I know it's good, then I let the air out roll it up and put it on the shelf. If I get a new tire, I get a new tube as well, the old one joins the spares on the shelf.

If I gave away a tube, it's an old patched one anyway, so there is no real loss, and I will keep the punctured one, which I will patch and put back into the collection.

Like others, I would walk a person through the process, rather then doing it for them.

Yes, the right thing to do is stop and help. It is sad that this is such a common occurrence. We have a bad puncture weed/goathead problem around here. Many cyclists are just not prepared. Quite a few don't know how to fix a flat and most of those that do don't have the tools/supplies with them.

For those that don't know how I suggest a little time with their LBS or the local bike CO-OP has free bike maint. training. A lot of the new roadies complain about the weight of using a puncture resistant tire and carrying an extra tube and/or patches. To them I politely point out that they aren't racing and the extra weight will enhance the training effect.

Yes, the right thing to do is stop and help. It is sad that this is such a common occurrence. We have a bad puncture weed/goathead problem around here. Many cyclists are just not prepared. Quite a few don't know how to fix a flat and most of those that do don't have the tools/supplies with them.

For those that don't know how I suggest a little time with their LBS or the local bike CO-OP has free bike maint. training. A lot of the new roadies complain about the weight of using a puncture resistant tire and carrying an extra tube and/or patches. To them I politely point out that they aren't racing and the extra weight will enhance the training effect.

Here is what I wonder, which is faster:

Putting up with the extra 250g for a spare tube, tire levers and pump/inflator, and stopping and fixing a flat. :D

OR

A 47km walk of shame:eek:, because you are not properly equipped.

For me, I would rather put up with the weight of being prepared. Heck, I have 2 kits, the regular kit for all rides, includes spare tube, tire levers, pump, Allen keys. Second kit for longer rides, adds a second tube, patch kit, spoke wrench, screwdriver, chain tool (with 4 spare links), needle nose pliers.....

I can't believe that anyone would ride without a spare tube, unless they were only out for a short cruise and a mile or so from home. I usually only have one tube with me, and I have only had one break down while riding any distance. I also have a frame mounted pump that I use, rather than a cartridge system. If I am going to be riding more than 40 miles, I will take a second tube with me, or a patch kit even thought those are not the greatest things in the world. I also carry a spoke wrench and my multi tool.

A 47km walk of shame:eek:, because you are not properly equipped.


It's the walk of shame that I dread. Many of them say, "Oh I'll just call for a ride." My response is, "Nice but there is no cell coverage here in the canyon." Them after checking their phone, "Oh, I didn't know that."

I always stop to help out a women,mom didn't raise no fool.Unless it's life threatening,sorry men,your on your own!

Hey don't you think that there's a whole subset of riders who have no intention of ever learning how to fix a flat themselves?

Middle aged women with a cell phone and a husband near by, roadie guys who let their shop (or other riders in their club) do all their work, some pretty girls, families who take the bikes out a couple times a year on a nice day, all come to mind...


Hey now! I represent that remark! Don't lump us all in together. It is a point of pride for me to be able to change my own tubes. I do struggle with it, but I can eventually do it myself. I ride farther than I really want to walk. I always carry what I need to do repairs. Next, I need to learn to make simple mechanical fixes. I should take a class. I carry tools I don't even know how to use. But I don't plan to continue in my state of ignorance forever.

If I'm at home and find a flat my husband usually offers to change it for me but most of the time I tell him I need to get better at it so I do it myself, even though I know he can do it in a 10th of the time. I have one bike that I can not change the front tire (24" wheel on my Terry) on to save my life and so I don't ride it very far. And I won't until I can change that darn tire.

To the OP; you did a good thing, he was most likely embarrassed, I know I would be. I have offered to help strangers with obvious flats and they never take me up on it. They'd rather walk home than accept help.

I know I'm cheap, but if I give someone my tube, that not only means I'm out $7.50, but I gotta go buy one. I would definitely patch someone's tube. You have to find the source of the flat anyway, or else it comes back right away about half of the time. Just leave the valve stem in the rim until you figure it out. I started riding longer distances when i was a teenager, and I don't think I've done the walk of shame since then. Maybe when I was 10.

You're hardcore. I don't think I've ever carried a business card on a bike ride.

I've never carried one either, nor would I. Just trying to help the OP come up with a plan so next time he doesn't feel shorted.

Me, I'd patch the tube for the guy whilst showing him how easy it is to change a flat and encourage him to carry a spare tube. I'd point out how changing the tube is even faster than patching on the road and to save your patching for when you get home.

If I gave away a tube, it's an old patched one anyway, so there is no real loss, and I will keep the punctured one, which I will patch and put back into the collection.

Yeah, good point. OP, what did you do with the tube that had a flat? If you kept it and brought it home you can patch it and you are not out the tube.

I can't believe that anyone would ride without a spare tube, unless they were only out for a short cruise and a mile or so from home. I usually only have one tube with me, and I have only had one break down while riding any distance. I also have a frame mounted pump that I use, rather than a cartridge system. If I am going to be riding more than 40 miles, I will take a second tube with me, or a patch kit even thought those are not the greatest things in the world. I also carry a spoke wrench and my multi tool.

I used to ride the bike path by the beach through Santa Monica and on south. There is one spot where the path makes a nice wide 180 degree turn and the inside is paved and a nice spot to stop, rest, catch some sun and enjoy the view.

One time not too long after I had helped a rider I decided to count what percentage had hte needed equipment. It was less than 1 in 20. Perhaps nearly as high as 1 in 10 if you assumed a minipump in any seatbag or similar closed carrier.

This was at least 2 miles from any place that could provide any help.

Hey now! I represent that remark! Don't lump us all in together. It is a point of pride for me to be able to change my own tubes. I do struggle with it, but I can eventually do it myself. I ride farther than I really want to walk. I always carry what I need to do repairs. Next, I need to learn to make simple mechanical fixes. I should take a class. I carry tools I don't even know how to use. But I don't plan to continue in my state of ignorance forever.

If I'm at home and find a flat my husband usually offers to change it for me but most of the time I tell him I need to get better at it so I do it myself, even though I know he can do it in a 10th of the time. I have one bike that I can not change the front tire (24" wheel on my Terry) on to save my life and so I don't ride it very far. And I won't until I can change that darn tire.

To the OP; you did a good thing, he was most likely embarrassed, I know I would be. I have offered to help strangers with obvious flats and they never take me up on it. They'd rather walk home than accept help.

Learn one thing. How to use a chain breaker and turn your bike into a single speed. Not a fun way to get home, but with that one trick as long as you can keep air in your tires you can limp home, but at least be riding. 5 miles in the 'wrong' gear may suck, but not nearly what walking 5 miles does.

Learn one thing. How to use a chain breaker and turn your bike into a single speed. Not a fun way to get home, but with that one trick as long as you can keep air in your tires you can limp home, but at least be riding. 5 miles in the 'wrong' gear may suck, but not nearly what walking 5 miles does.

Chain breaker is always good to have, if you change a chain keep the extra links, a 35mm film can is a good place to put them. If you snap a chain you can take out the bad link and put in a spare link, and within 5 minutes your bike is good as new. A length of florist wire can also be handy, break a dérailleur cable, just wrap the wire around the end of the cable, where it goes through and you can keep the dérailleur in whatever position you like. You can also get a spare cable of each, and keep those on your bike. Another emergency item, get a spoke that is longer then any you need, cut off the flattened end where it goes through the hub. When you break a spoke, remove the broken bits, take your spare and measure for length, bend the end into a J shape, cut off the excess. hook through the hub and attach to the nipple, tighten until it makes a similar sound to the other spokes, reinstall the rim tape, tire and tube then ride on. Replace with a proper spoke at your earliest convenience. Because of the hooked end, you can get this spoke behind the cassette/freewheel without removing it.

Nice thing about bicycles, there are few show stoppers that you can't fix on the road, that are not the result of a crash.