shipwreck

Looking to counter the really bad turn the dirty tricks thread has taken.

Have you ever given your last tube to some one, lent a hand, stood watch over gear, fixed something, shared your camping spot anything to another tourist, or anyone while on tour?

once I was coming home from Chicago to NW Arkansas, and on the Katy trail I saw a police car in the distance, next to two cyclists. They watched me coming for twenty minutes, with a full load, and when I got there it turned out that the really sweet trek 560 the guy had pulled out of his garage for the first time in fifteen years had a broken chain ten miles from where they had parked. There was no phone service for them, and the cop could not find any way to help. I mended the chain, and refused the twenty the guy tried to give me, finally relenting at the price of a soda at the biker bar nearby. So far the only time I ever needed a chain tool on tour(cross fingers).

Moved my campsite so a guy with a c-pap machine could use the electric.

Met a cyclist from Argentina who had some broken spokes, offered my fibre fix, he said no so used my smart phone to locate a shop, and rode with him to it. He had nine thousand miles in, and was cool to hang with for a day.

Have given my last co2 cartridge on several organized century rides(I also carry a small pump)

Changed a few random tubes, given my spare cable once. Hung back with a rider once who wanted to finish but was having serious heat problems, usually ride sweep on group rides.

Shared some water with a couple who had forgotten thiers at their car on another trip on the Katy. An older couple, I then rode with them for ten miles or so at a mind numbingly slow speed so I could continue to share, then when they came to a water source had to hammer it down the road arriving after riding seven miles in the dark with a dead headlamp at the Hostel(where I ran into the Argentinian guy)

Don't really run into to many other cyclists, and I'm definitely not a super nice guy, just feel that these are things you do.

djb

excellent idea shipwreck. Will chime in as I have to run right now, but again, great idea to bring up good spirited things, rather than a mean spirited angle.

Myosmith

Always build good karma.

I've stopped to help a number of cyclists with various break downs or in need of directions. I don't only stop when I'm on my bike, I've stopped a few times in my pickup and have driven a rider and his bike home on one occasion. On group rides we always share tools and supplies. A couple of times while riding, I've stopped to help motorists.

I've been on the receiving end as well, rarely have I ever had a flat or breakdown where someone hasn't stopped to offer assistance. Even if I was fine and didn't need any help, I appreciate that someone took the time to check on me.

andrewclaus

Yes, great idea. I don't do dirty tricks.

In addition to bicycle mechanic services, I've also changed auto tires and made phone calls at the next town for stranded motorists on lonely roads (before cell phone days). And I feel I've received more than I've given.

fietsbob

Happen to be at a Shop that sees some of the hundreds of Pacific Coast Riders .. every summer ..

Laid off the rest of the year..

staehpj1

Yes, I too think dirty tricks have no place in touring. I have helped plenty of cyclists, folks on foot, and motorists. I think it is part of being a decent human being.

bradtx

This.

Brad

Rowan

I think posting worthwhile, accurate and helpful information here on BFs qualifies as helping strangers. On the whole, there is a huge base of wisdom contained within the experiences of the seasoned touring cyclists who post here.

Davet

When on a bike or in a car, I'll always offer any help that I can to a bicyclist that may need it. I like to think others might do the same when I need it.

axolotl

Once when I was touring in Switzerland, 2 other touring cyclists were coming from the other direction. We stopped and chatted, and one of them asked me if the town I had just passed through had a bike shop. I said I hadn't noticed one and asked why he needed to find a shop. He said he needed to have his wheels trued. I told him I could do if he took off his panniers and turn his bike upside-down. So I trued his wheels. He was appreciative and we all said goodbye and continued onward.

About 2 months later I was at a hostel on the Dingle peninsula of Ireland. Somebody knocked on the front door and I was the closest person to the door so I opened it. There were 2 guys standing there and one of them said to me, "Don't I know you from somewhere?" It was the guy whose wheels I had trued. I was relieved when he said his wheels were still true. He bought me a pint at the pub that evening.

dougdevine

I found $200 in 20's by a parked car on the street. I picked them up and looked inside the car: there was some more cash on the driver's seat. I looked around to see if anyone looked like they came from the car but no one did. Instead of thinking I did my best to find the owner and ride away with the money, I circled around to the back of the car to take a picture of the license plate...I was going to hunt down the owner. As I was putting my camera back in my pocket a guy ran up to the car and asked if I had found any money. Sure did, friend, here you go.

iohan.gue

I was really under the impression that dirty tricks was just people joking. I doubt anyone would ever do most of the stuff listed there. (including my bacon under tent tip!)

Beside exchanging information about the next camping place/nearest grocery/things to watch out for in BC/Yukon, I did not meet any cyclists who needed help.

I always give food to any hitchhikers I see and stop for a chat.

Doug64

A neat thing happened to my wife and me on a cross country trip 6 years ago. We had started from Shoshoni, Wyoming in the morning and because there was not anything in the 100 mile stretch between there and Casper; we planned on wild camping somewhere toward the 50-60 mile point.

There was a state rest area about midway to Casper. We still had a few hours of riding time left in the day, and were debating about going on a few more miles or just camping down by some highway maintenance sheds. The sheds did not look very inviting in the knee high sagebrush, and there were prominent "No Camping" signs all over the rest area grounds.

We were discussing our options while sitting on a bench near the door to a very nice restroom/visitor information area. It was nice facility for being in the middle of a long stretch of empty road. The most vehicles we saw in the parking lot at any given time were 2.

A middle-aged woman came out of the restrooms and standing there looking bewildered at the nearly empty parking lot said, “Do you see a white pickup truck? When my wife answered “no”, she said, “I think they left me.” Apparently, she was asleep in the back seat of a 4 door pickup when her husband and brother-in –law pulled into the rest area to use the bathroom. When they were inside, she woke up and decided to also use the restroom. When the men came out they just assumed she was still in the back seat asleep and pulled out heading for Casper, 50 miles away.

The woman did not have her purse, so no phone. We loaned her our phone, as we had decent cell coverage in the rest area. However, the men in the truck did not have cell coverage until they got close to Casper, almost an hour later. When she finally reached them her side of the conversation went something like this: “Are you going to come back and pick me up?”………”do you think I’d be calling you on the phone if I was in the backseat of the truck?” There was a long pause on the other end!

We stayed with her for an enjoyable couple of hours while her husband went into Casper for fuel and returned. During that period we had a great time talking with her and telling her about our journey. When the truck finally returned with 2 sheepish looking guys, she gave us hugs and thanks. Her husband asked, “could you have given her a ride on one of your bikes?” We still exchange Christmas cards, and she has followed our blog over the years.

We ended up camping behind the wall were the “No Camping” sign was posted.

A fellow cyclist that we had been playing tag with since Yellowstone NP pulled in about dark, and shared "our" spot. A policeman checked us out that evening but; seeing our bikes, he just turned around and left without saying a word.

c0urt

i am a couch surfer, and let people stay at my place when they are passing through town, and show them around thown when they have time to kill, since mine is also listed as one of the bike friendly couches, I also work on bikes when they are here, and keep a few spare parts in my closets.

https://www.couchsurfing.org/profile.html?id=1CU4QBF

Me and a friend walking home in the snow a few days ago, got a woman in her car unstuck who had apparently slid off the road. The cops had left her and told her she was on her own.

and I tend to share tubes when i have them, I dont mind at all.

pamaguahiker 

My wife recently started a project at our home to encourage RAK (random acts of kindness) and she says it all started with me because I go out of my way sometimes. I always have. My dad was always going above and beyond! In any situation, I try to help. With her RAK project, she wants to build our daughter into that mindset of helping without reward. It's a great thought. But she got business cards made and on the bottom, it says, pay it forward. Pretty cool thought.

Big Lew

On one of my earlier long distant tours in British Columbia I rode up Vancouver Island, cycled all over Haidi Gwaii Island, and then from Prince Rupert to Prince George and to Vancouver. While on Haidi Gwaii I noticed a big old passenger van full of young tree planters from Quebec in eastern Canada. They spoke french and seemed a likeable, considerate, and happy bunch, which is why I noticed them, but I soon forgot about them until I was riding between Prince Rupert and Prince George. I had stopped at a roadside picnic table to make mid-morning tea and meal when that same group also pulled in. I watched them hold a conference and then send a young lady over to talk to me. Fortunately between my limited knowledge of french and her spattering of english I understood that they had little provisions left (most of their money was held in Quebec by their employer) but had a gas card and had another 3000 miles to go home. She asked if I could spare some tea and sugar. I had just re-stocked my supplies so ended up feeding all of them with tea, porridge, pancakes, and bacon. After dinner they washed up all my stuff, gave me lots of hugs and kisses and were on their way, making me happy as well.

rwpshaw

Ditto

We always ask stopped cyclists if they need help. And we've helped a few at accidents. And ride with those who need help/encouragement on club rides.

Gravity Aided

I think it is great that so many people in this thread are doing these acts of kindness. I know it helps to be able to assist others when they need it. It makes you feel better about the world in general. People aware of the needs of their fellow men make this world a better place.

arctos

I am fortunate to live one block from the Pacific Coast Route. As many as ten cyclists have camped on my living room floor at one time- a 9x16 foot room. I have learned bits of many languages and have received postcards as the tourists proceeded. Quite an enjoyable experience.

Long ago one September I met two Swiss bike tourists who were starting their perimeter ride of the US here in Santa Barbara. At the first campsite heading North, their tent failed in a freak rainstorm and their rear panniers also failed damaging their rear wheels. They retreated to SB where i met them at a local bike shop. They decided that they needed better equipment including their bikes. My friend at the bike shop gave them a good deal on two Bruce Gordon RNR bikes with BG racks. I called Bob Beckman who sent two sets of his own personal panniers front and rear. Coincidentally I owned the Bibler tent they wanted. That completed the important equipment changes.
Next I had to convince them to head East rather than North this time of year as they did not understand our seasons. That settled they proceeded across the Southern Tier route. They returned to SB after riding the perimeter counterclockwise and had a wonderful trip.

One problem remained- their return flights were from Newark NJ in 30 days. Pre-internet I searched the local newspaper and found someone who needed a lease car returned to Connecticut in about 30 days.

So off they went with their bikes on the roof of this BMW on my roof rack. They visited all the places they did not see while riding the perimeter and dropped off the car, mailed the roof rack back to me and flew home. They are married now and have two kids and live in Bern. I hope to visit them one day.

jhazel

Thanks to everybody that has posted. Makes me feel good about the world.
I always ask if a stopped cyclist needs a hand and have had a few yes answers. Gave up a tube and CO2 cartridge to a couple of young men who had recently bought bikes and no spares. Supplied a multitool with the proper hex key to a guy who had a multitool but not the right bit. (his dog wanted to go with me since I was better prepared) It is all fun and interesting. I ride slow enough that nothing is lost by the time I take to stop and help. I also get a chance to rest.

Doug64

[QUOTE=jhazel;16462362]Thanks to everybody that has posted. Makes me feel good about the world.

+1

As much as I 'd like to believe I frequently help other people, I'm still behind the "pay it forward" curve that pamguahiker talks about above. I still have a lot of "pay it forwards" to do before I equal the amount of assistance, kindness and generosity that has been shown to me while on tours. But I'm still working on it

Papa Tom

I have definitely given away more of the spare parts I carry than I have used for my own repairs over the years. I really enjoy being able to help people out of a bad situation and I hope someone will do the same for me someday.

lubers

Riding home one day on one our local bike trails and came upon a little girl about seven years old bike on top of her and with a bleeding knee. She apparently hit her dads back tire and lost control and her father didn't relaize it. Got out my first aid kit cleaned her knee off and put a nice band aid on it for her. About five minutes later her dad come racing back down the trail looking for her, he was more shook up than she was.

shipwreck

There are some great storys of generosity here. Pretty inspiring.

Every once in a while an organized group of kids rides through my home town here in the Ozarks, summer, hot, hilly. Twice I have seen them at the laundry mat. Both times I asked if they needed any parts, then driven out to the campground they are staying at with a cooler full of frozen popsicles. Both times the kids(young adults I guess)seemed pretty happy to have them.
I don't hang out cause to be honest I drive a white van and am probably a creepy old guy to them. Just drop off and go.

probably there is a feeling of kinship when we see a bicycle tourist. We have all been out there, and know what its like to have a hole in a tire booted with a dollar bill or something similar. I know that it would be easier for me to give someone a tire than it is to find one suited for what they are doing in the middle of rural America.

To be honest, I have never had anyone really help me out when on the road beyond directions. Been Racking my brain all day and the only instances I can think of is once coming off the GIT(Grand IL Trail)into some larger town, covered in filth from the muddy canal path, a woman came up to me and told be where the local homeless shelter was! I was so confused for a moment that I didn't understand, then laughed and asked if she knew where there was a decent hotel, as I figured if I looked that bad I needed a hotel night!
The other times have been offers to refill my water bottles, something that I have learned to never pass up.

djb

I too feel that I have been helped by people more than I have helped others. As we have all bike toured, we have all had folks do little or large things for us that have been of help, and it has certainly taught me the value of paying forward kindness that I have experienced (and of course, not just with bike touring, but in life in general).