xtrajack

Today as I was riding home, in the rain, a truck pulls up beside me in the next lane (aka the left travel lane), paces me, then the woman driving the truck, as we're going down the road, asks me "Do you want a ride?"

My first thought was "Is she out of her ever-loving mind?" I replied "No thanks" and kept on riding.

I have had folks ask if I wanted or needed a ride, usually when I am walking the bike up a hill.
I have NEVER had anyone ask if I wanted a ride while I am rolling down the road (two travel lanes on each side, 40 MPH zone), in moderate traffic.

wisaunders

Rain was the key here. People don't understand that we ride because we want to and that a little rain won't hurt us. They don;t understand that it's good to get exposed to the elements every once in a while. Keeps you from getting too soft...

ill.clyde

Was she hot?

rumrunn6

who was driving? another chic?

Leisesturm

If I had condoms on me I would have accepted the offer. It's one thing to be principled about vehicular cycling and another to be ready to seize life's unadvertised blue plate specials.

H

xtrajack

Couldn't tell, was raining, glasses, more concerned about the other traffic, esp. the ones behind her.

xtrajack

Couldn't tell, was raining, glasses, more concerned about the other traffic, esp. the ones behind her.

cvskates

I've had this happen to me, but it was an older guy. I was riding up "the hump" into Port Alberni, which is a long steep climb that looks like lunacy to bike up if you're a non-cyclist.

As wisaunders said, non-cyclists have a hard time understanding some of the times / places / conditions we cycle purely because we enjoy it.

caloso

I was riding on PCH in Laguna Beach and stopped at a light. I asked the driver of a convertible stopped next to me if I was on the right way to Irvine.

"Irvine!?!? That's almost TEN MILES from here! I could give you a ride. TEN MILES!"

Uh, no thanks. I just wanted to make sure I didn't miss the turn. Thanks again.

Matariki

A number of years ago I commuted on foot, enjoying the 2 mile walk through neighborhood and then city streets. On the infrequent winter days that dumped some snow, it seemed like every other car would stop and offer me a ride. A person on foot would either appreciate a ride or not, regardless of what the weather is so I never understood what the snow had to do with the driver's motivation.

GeneO 

Maybe she was a serial killer.

irwin7638

In March we had a late snow storm here in Michigan. I went to the bank where the tellers are accustomed to seeing me on my bike. The lobby had about 8 people standing around, all complaining about the weather. During the conversation the teller helping me said, "I feel so sorry for you out there on your bike!" I said, "Why? I can always drive my car if I want."
You'd think I dropped a bomb in that room. Everybody's mouths dropped open, and they all stared silently as I walked out chuckling. They just can't imagine choosing to ride rather than drive.

Marc

bbbean 

Say thank you. She was being nice.

daihard 

Did the teller think you had no choice but to ride a bike because, what, you couldn't afford a car? Jeez.

irwin7638

...or lost license for some reason. It's pretty common. Using a bike for anything practical is looked upon as a desperate act by most people, it's changing slowly.

Marc

AaronSpringer

This x 100.

She was putting herself in your situation and realizing she would want a ride. It's kindness.

What she didn't realize was that cyclists are moderately masochistic.

Ridefreemc

I ride the bike often, but also drive a van that can have a bike easily put inside - and sometimes I have my rack on the back (4 bike rack). i often see people walking their bikes and the first thing I look for is a flat tire. Depending on my schedule, and a number of other things, I have offered a ride. Usually it is a yes because they need to get to work and walking will ensure they are late.

baron von trail 

Was she hot?

baron von trail 

lol, I see you beat me to it.

MEversbergII

I get this on occasion. Never taken anyone up on it, though. Puts a smile on my face anyways.

M.

Jbone78

I accepted a ride once. I was riding down a long bridge near the Gulf of Mexico, it was about 4-5 miles long. This squal blew up and heavy winds up to 30 mph right in my face. I accepted a ride across the bridge until the storm blew over, then continued to my destination. Later heard on the radio that that storm blew tops off of baseball dugouts and several homes. I'm not ashamed.

mjw16

I just rode with 2 French students, they needed help getting from DC to Old Town, Alexandria. I chatted w/ them and rode them across the 14th Street bridge before we parted ways. I'm now wondering if I missed "one of life's unadvertised blue plate specials".... Darn it!

wisaunders

YES, you did!

mjw16

Quote Originally Posted by mjw16 View Post
I just rode with 2 French students, they needed help getting from DC to Old Town, Alexandria. I chatted w/ them and rode them across the 14th Street bridge before we parted ways. I'm now wondering if I missed "one of life's unadvertised blue plate specials".... Darn it!
YES, you did!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

stockholm

Yes, us ladies on bikes (especially us Europeans, I guess) just want every man on the planet for [insert favorite fantasy] and not anything bike related. Darn, the secret is out!