makeitso5005

This post is mainly venting, but I am curious how far people are willing to help cyclists that are broken down on the road. I'm asking because this past weekend I was doing a century ride with a friend and saw a guy with his bike upside down on the side of the road, pulled over and asked if he needed any help. Turns out somehow his chain and spat out a pin which caused him to crash and he had a small gash on his leg. Fortunately I carry way too much stuff, so we clean up his leg with an alcohol swab and use my chain tool and missing link for the chain. Since he's unfamiliar with it I end up doing all the tooling and get his chain squared away only to find that when he crashed he also punctured his front tire. Of course he's not carrying a tube, and seems like a nice enough guy so I give him my spare and use a CO2 cartridge to inflate and he's ready to get going again. He then hops on his bike, does a small circle to see if everything works, gives a small wave and then takes off... All without saying a thank you (well, he did say 'I'm grateful you stopped'), or an offer to pay for all the items I just gave him, not that it is really expected... So here I am, losing 25 minutes, handed out my only spare tube and missing link with my hands all nice and greasy to give my white bar tape the touch of black I've always been looking for.

I've never had an issue with helping people out in the past, but this one just irked me. Yeah, I realize it's only about $10 worth of stuff, but I normally don't hand $10 to strangers either. When they just ride off w/o a thank you or similar it's just one of those things that rub you the wrong way and maybe make you think twice before offering things that will get people back on the road. What does everyone else do when they come upon a stranded cyclist?

coasting 

i ask if they need help. if they do, i help.

10 Wheels

Thanks for stopping and then helping the rider.

coasting 

i broke down with a chain problem before. it is a stomach sinking moment when you realise that the impossible just happened.

CCrew

I'll always ask. The one time I did toast a chain I had like a 1 in 10 rate of people asking me if I needed help.

As to the OP though, I can see how that would frost you. Not that he had $ to offer you as ill prepared as he sounded.

Pedaleur

I rarely stop and ask. But if the indicate they need help, I stop.

Unlike some French asshôle who refused to help after my pump broke.

JonnyV

i was leaving the shop one day when I noticed a cyclist on the side of the road, only about 100yards from the shop, with his cell phone on his ear and a flat tire. I stopped and asked if I could help, he said he had a flat and no tube. I told him to toss it in the truck, that I could take care of him. He said he didn't have money, I told him that's fine, we'll take care of him. He came back a couple hours later to pay for the tube and picked up some other stuff. He's been a regular ever since.
I'll stop ask every cyclist that looks like they need help, whether I'm in my truck or on my bike.

gsteinb

If I'm driving I always stop. In general when I'm riding I only have enough supplies for myself. I wouldn't give away a tube when I was riding unless I was around the corner from my house. It would most certainly end up with me walking home.

Barese Rider

I have been helped more than once so in an effort to keep kharma flowing in the right direction I always ask and if needed stop. Sometimes it just the need for a cell phone and mostly help with a tire .

Megiddo

I carry enough stuff to help and I ask if help is needed. I never expect to be paid since I never carry cash either. I assume when I need it, I might get help too (without paying).

Lesson learned from the OP... bring an extra link and $10 bucks. Never thought about the link issue (I do carry the link tool).

WhyFi

I like that I'm actually well-prepared enough (now) that I can stop and offer help. Especially in NYC, where there are more bike commuters every day, I think that it can only be good to offer an example to be emulated by the new riders - I, myself, numbered among the clueless a short time ago.

brianbeech

I will always help if needed - and give all I have if needed - without condescending. I just think it's the right thing to do.

aggro_jo

I always ask. If they double flatted or had some other unusual mechanical, I will help. If they flatted without an extra tube, pump, patch, they can enjoy their hike.

stien

Always ask, people never say they need help.

coasting 

can a mod change the thread title to "Are you a total arsehole?"

ls0725

OP, the satisfaction in helping is in you, it does not matter how the cyclist you helped reacted (or lack of). good deeds are always rewarded, not from him but it will. keep the goodness that is natural in you.

coasting 

fooey

RacerOne

MacCruiskeen

It seems that if I stop for any reason, someone will ask. I may have stopped just to eat something, or check my map, or just for a rest. One time when my wife and I were first getting back into cycling, she had a problem with her derailleur and someone stop and helped get it adjusted.

For cars, there's AAA and tow services, for bikes you're pretty much on your own unless another cyclist is willing to help you out. I don't know of any bike shops that offer the equivalent of a tow service, though when I am out riding I always make a mental note of any bike shop I pass, in the event I should find myself in need of something I am not carrying with me (this hasn't actually happened yet).

FixdGearHead

Ahh yes....Doing a good deed and expecting something in return.

My opinion on this is that you're being a bit petty on a few fronts.
- He said he was grateful for you stopping...take that as the effusive "Thank You" you were expecting.
- I wouldn't think to offer $$ to someone for giving me a spare tube/CO2 in this situation.
- White tape is supposed to get dirty. That's the beauty of white tape...if it's white, you're not riding enough.


To answer the question:
I slowly roll by and ask if they need anything...and the very few times someone says "yes", I think to myself. "Damnit, wish I wouldnt have asked!" If you ask to help, you're obligated to stick with them and see it thru at that point.

Smallguy

I always offer to help

even stopped to help a guy out during an off road mtb race he was about 15 km form the closest support station and had a broken chain no chain tools or quick links either... I probably lost 10-15 mins helping him out but oh well

I look at it as if I was stranded wouldn't I want an offer of assistance

Phantoj

Just shorten the chain by a full link and carry on. (disclaimer -- I don't know if this works on 10-speed chain)

In fact, if you carry a frame pump, and keep the guy's flat tube to patch later, you can help people out at virtually no cost to yourself!

pchopper

I assume people have their own supplies, so I don't want to hassle them in case they just stopped for a break or something. What I'll do instead is slow down, make eye contact, and wave, I figure (and maybe this isn't enough) if they need help they'll flag me down at that point.

tagaproject6

You did the right thing! Karma is a lady you should very well please.

Valerian