Good Samaritans are alive and well in Kansas
 

I was out on a rural ride this evening and started to feel the rear rim bumping on the pavement signifying that the tire pressure was not adequately separating the two. I pulled over on a side road and broke out the spare tube and tools. While engaged in thrashing the rear wheel two different cars stopped to inquire if I needed help. The first was solo young lady and the other was a couple of young guys. I was pretty impressed especially with the young lady as she didn't know me from Adam. I thanked them both and sent them on their way as I had the situation well in hand. Still it is good to see folks who are willing to stop and offer assistance to a bicyclist broken down by the side of the road.

Neat!

Considering they risked being reduced in rank by their commanding officers in the imaginary war between cyclists and motorists, that took real courage.

That sort of civilized behavior is worth applauding and emulating. I have changed a few flat tires for motorists who either didn't have a prepaid tow service like AAA or were out of cell phone range when I have been out riding. A few months ago I had a couple of older-than-me women astonished when I took off my cycling shoes and reloaded the fencing into their pick-up that had fallen out when they hit the bump at the end of their driveway.

Of course, I have received my share of such favors too. In fact, I never know if I am paying back or paying forward. It sure is nice to know that we have some wonderful folks sharing our little world. Thanks for the reminder.

I find that amongst the older generation- help will be forthcoming- or at least the enquiry as to whether they can help. To have it come from youngsters is unusual. Must be something about you that makes it look as though you needed help:innocent:

Only had a few problems on the MUP and on one it was a flat and in the rain. I got fed up with everyone passing asking if I needed help. No young ladies amongst them .

We came across this situation on a coastal beach between Shiraoi and Tomanokai on the island of Hokkaido in Japan several days ago.

We rode past a little way, but returned to offer a hand. In the end, the situation was hopeless in trying to push the car out (two of us pushing, one at the wheel). You don't realise how heavy these little cars can be until an incident like this.

The chassis pan was well and truly embeded in the sand, a black coarse variety that soaked in the water and remain soft. The car had four-wheel-drive but no centre diff lock, so when the front right wheel started spinning, there was no traction on the other three either. The guys were quite well equipped with recovery gear, including lattice ramps, but all to no avail.

We tried a couple of times. Fortunately (at least we hope so) a 4WD from the equivalent of the AAA appeared some 200 metres away down the beach. I hope there was resolution, because the tide was coming in fairly rapidly. The guys obviously had been digging for a while, judging by the amount the front end was down into the sand.

I've seen the result of cars stuck in sand on beaches, and it's not pretty... and they die a long, slow, rusty death.

I also determined that I wouldn't take any pictures unless I had tried to help.

Great to read about someone being thoughtful and courteous towards a bicyclist. It is second nature to me to stop and help others, on a bicycle or in a vehicle. My dad taught us this as children, he stopped in many a driving rain storm to help change a tire or push someone needing help. If I am riding my bike, I stop and ask no matter what, builds good feelings and what goes around comes around. I drive a 4X4 for work purposes and it can help people a lot. Glad you met some good people Mort, makes the day seem brighter.

Bill

I stopped to take pics of an Osprey the other day, and a couple pulled over and asked if I need help. I said no thanks, just trying to get a pic of the Osprey, the lady asked if I was sure, I told them thanks, but all was good. Now if her husband wasn't there, I might have faked it, she was very good looking.:)

+1. I've had that experience on the Katy trail. I think the puncture took me about twice as long as normal to fix due to the time required refuse so many offers of help. It got to be downright comical.

Yes, I've gotten offers of assistance a few times. I did take advantage of one offer when a crash ruined the left brifter and the handlebars and front fork where out of alignment.

Many of us are exposed to so many negative images of people from newspapers, TV shows, movies, internet discussion boards, etc., that it's hard to remember that there are millions of decent, kind, considerate people out there. Gald you had the reminder twice in one day.

I don't think I have -ever- flatted without somebody stopping to check if I needed help. Helps to be on rural roads, I guess.

The members of a club I rode with in the 70's had some members that just stood by or even rode on without looking back when they saw you flat. I can fix a tire myself, no problem and take care of my wife, too. The day she had heat prostration, really bad, hit her suddenly and they went around her and kept going was the tearing point for me. I got her stabilized, got my water and hers at her side and walked up to a house we were in front of and called my mom to sag us. This was long before cell phones and the heat sensitivity had never been a problem, totally unexpected. The ride captain said he didn't realize she had a problem and figured we stopped to see a friend on that highway. No checking on us, they were loaded and gone when we got to our car. I took him off of the rotation as a ride captain and notified the board president. We just plain left the club after I rewrote the ride schedule.

People of all walks will leave you hanging, at least I have experienced more good people than bad ones.

Bill

While doing a daily ride, I saw a guy on an old route I took who was walking his bike. I turned around(to h*** with my avg mph) and asked if he needed help or a phone(I had a spare tube and cell). He stated he broke his pedal and his wife was on the way.

Have ridden Bike Patrol for many events in Arizona for the past 30 years.
If cyclist is stranded we stop and offer assistance.

If I am riding with some others or see a stranded or injured rider I go by the USMC rules, "Leave no Man (or Woman) Behind!" I stay with them until they are rolling or sagged or in an ambulance, safe.