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Helping out a car-free fellow bicyclist

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Helping out a car-free fellow bicyclist

Old 08-18-07, 11:45 AM
  #51  
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Is the bike well fitted to the guy?


Having helped a few dudes like this, doing work on their bikes to make them rideable and useful, and getting them a lock only for them to not even bother to use it, then complain that it takes over an hour to go to work because they're back on foot...

It's as if you pick them up and dangle their feet in the air, but they don't bother to grab on to anything and then ***** at you for having let them go. Some people just don't want to help themselves.

It's also why I haven't done this in a while, but I find this thread refreshing to see this guy dosen't sound like that kind of person.
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Old 08-19-07, 11:24 AM
  #52  
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Originally Posted by wahoonc
+1

Aaron
For the record, Business810 did contact me via PM on BF.net and offered to send the saddle. Thanks, Business810!
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Old 08-19-07, 11:27 AM
  #53  
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Originally Posted by JeanCoutu
Is the bike well fitted to the guy?


Having helped a few dudes like this, doing work on their bikes to make them rideable and useful, and getting them a lock only for them to not even bother to use it, then complain that it takes over an hour to go to work because they're back on foot...

It's as if you pick them up and dangle their feet in the air, but they don't bother to grab on to anything and then ***** at you for having let them go. Some people just don't want to help themselves.

It's also why I haven't done this in a while, but I find this thread refreshing to see this guy dosen't sound like that kind of person.
In this case, the fellow was already riding his bicycle every day, so YES, he is riding. I was first contacted by the church lady because during a conversation with him, he told her how concerned he was that someone would steal his bike and he would not have transportation to/from work.

My first contact was to just give the church lady a cable lock for him. My second contact was when he taco-ed his wheel and needed repairs. That is when I really understood his situation and how important the bike is to him for nearly all of his transportation needs.

The bike seemed small to me, but when I delivered it to him with the upgrades and repairs, I only had to adjust the saddle and the stem about an inch up and it fit pretty well. Boy, was he happy when I made that simple adjustment and he could get the full stroke of the pedal with is leg nearly extended! Imagine the joy.
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Old 08-20-07, 12:33 PM
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Originally Posted by mike
The bike seemed small to me, but when I delivered it to him with the upgrades and repairs, I only had to adjust the saddle and the stem about an inch up and it fit pretty well. Boy, was he happy when I made that simple adjustment and he could get the full stroke of the pedal with is leg nearly extended! Imagine the joy.
Good catch, mike!

Raising the saddle would improve the rides of about 90 % of the utility cyclists I see around here. They just don't know that they are wasting their energy with low riding, and also harming the muscles and joints in their legs.
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Old 08-22-07, 03:21 AM
  #55  
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This week, our efforts have made things extra special.

After a summer with nearly no rain, this week it has rained for nearly three days straight. Our happy recipient of the new fenders is surely enjoying the new experience of commuting to work in the rain without rain shooting up his pants and all over his back!

I have ridden in rain on tours. I sure wouldn't want to take a road bath like that and then face eight or ten hours of working in soaking wet jeans, cotton socks, and tennis shoes. Brrr!

Imagine bicycle commuting for a year or two in all weather - rain and snow and slush. THEN, having fenders for the first time. What a treat that must be! You done good, Aaron!
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Old 08-22-07, 10:53 AM
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Since I'm sure this guy can always use some new parts and accessories I suggest you subscribe to the pay it forward thread. People post stuff that they no longer need and are willing to give away for free. Most people ask for the receiving person to pay shipping costs but I'm sure if they read this post most people would be willing to eat the cost. At least I would hope they would.


This thread really made me happy to read. I see very poor people commuting on bikes daily and always wish I can help them out. The most I've done so far was help some guys by lubing their rusty chains and giving a headlight to a guy I see almost every day riding with a flashlight in his hand because the police bother him if he's riding w/out a light.


As for the Welfare and Food Stamp comments; I understand there are bad apples out there, but the bulk of people who are using these services are actually in need. I myself spent quite a few times of my childhood receiving Food Stamps and occasionally welfare and it was never for my families personal gain, we did it so that we could eat. If it weren't for programs like these countless Americans would starve, if you have to deal with a small number of people abusing the system in order to get food on the tables of people who really need it then I say it's well worth it.
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Old 08-22-07, 05:54 PM
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Originally Posted by Bizurke
Since I'm sure this guy can always use some new parts and accessories I suggest you subscribe to the pay it forward thread. People post stuff that they no longer need and are willing to give away for free. Most people ask for the receiving person to pay shipping costs but I'm sure if they read this post most people would be willing to eat the cost. At least I would hope they would.


This thread really made me happy to read. I see very poor people commuting on bikes daily and always wish I can help them out. The most I've done so far was help some guys by lubing their rusty chains and giving a headlight to a guy I see almost every day riding with a flashlight in his hand because the police bother him if he's riding w/out a light.


As for the Welfare and Food Stamp comments; I understand there are bad apples out there, but the bulk of people who are using these services are actually in need. I myself spent quite a few times of my childhood receiving Food Stamps and occasionally welfare and it was never for my families personal gain, we did it so that we could eat. If it weren't for programs like these countless Americans would starve, if you have to deal with a small number of people abusing the system in order to get food on the tables of people who really need it then I say it's well worth it.
Good idea, Bizurke. Thanks.

Yes, today I passed by the local free-food pantry. Local retailers and manufacturers donate overages and out of date foodstuff and people in need can pick up what they need. The line went around the block. I was glad to know that we have some organizations that help people in need. I know that our friend's wife was probably in that line.

Another sad situation is health care. When I gave the bike to our car-free friend, both he and his wife smiled - exposing a few broken and blackened teeth that needed dental attention badly. Of course, for a family who can't afford to buy all the food they need, taking care of teeth is a luxury far out of reach for the working poor.

The working poor in the USA are probably the poorest of all. By having enough pride to work rather than go on welfare, they make themselves ineligible for food stamps, public medical assistance, and services that the non-working.

In my naive younger days, I would sometimes see people in line at teh grocery store buying food with food stamps - often buying nice cuts of meat meat that I couldn't afford and I thought, "This isn't fair. Shouldn't this person be working for a living?" Now I understand the answer. Why would anybody at the lower end of the economic ladder choose to work and plunge themselves into despair. Honestly. If you are trying to feed and house a family, why on earth would you take a low-paying job and be cast into the street putting your family out of reach of health care, good food, and safe shelter?

Many of the working poor in the USA have it really tough and they push along with no safety net if things take a bad turn.

Last edited by mike; 08-23-07 at 04:14 AM.
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Old 08-31-07, 07:23 AM
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Hey, this weekend I received a very nice saddle from Business810. Really excellent. This is much better than our friend is using now. I hope to get it to him and put it on the bike by the weekend.

Thanks again to Business810 and all who shared their kindness.
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Old 08-31-07, 12:52 PM
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Kudos for doing this for the family. Stories like this always tend to put my own life into perspective; helps me appreciate the things that I have. Looks like you already got a helmet, if not PM me and I'll get one in the mail.
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Old 09-02-07, 05:34 AM
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Originally Posted by shortbus901
Kudos for doing this for the family. Stories like this always tend to put my own life into perspective; helps me appreciate the things that I have. Looks like you already got a helmet, if not PM me and I'll get one in the mail.
Thanks, shortbus901. I did give him a helmut. It's too big, but it will work OK with the upcoming winter here because he can wear it with a knit cap. - Anyway, we are doing what we can and we have really done some great things for this fellow and his family.

He has been telling everybody about the kind generosity. I didn't know it until recently, but our efforts at helping with the bicycle are well known in the local church circles.
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