Tried to help, but sensed no appreciation.
09-13-18, 01:51 PM
#26
SuperGimp
I've given away more tubes than I can count and I've received tubes too, so I'm not judgy about people having supplies.
I applaud you for leaving him behind in dodgy hurricane weather though.
I applaud you for leaving him behind in dodgy hurricane weather though.
09-13-18, 02:09 PM
#27
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Now, hold on--he let the guy use his pump, and didn't know he didn't have a tube before he stopped.
$5 for the patch kit seems a little odd, but not crazy. If I'm worried about weather, I'm not sure I'd want to stay around while he worked a patch.
On the other hand, if he sells him the patch kit then leaves, how's the guy going to pump up his patched tube? Hmmmmm.... Maybe you have a point.
$5 for the patch kit seems a little odd, but not crazy. If I'm worried about weather, I'm not sure I'd want to stay around while he worked a patch.
On the other hand, if he sells him the patch kit then leaves, how's the guy going to pump up his patched tube? Hmmmmm.... Maybe you have a point.
I had a thought, as I was writing this, that maybe the guy thought I was actually seeding the path with glass so that I could extort him later on for tire repair. Wow.
09-13-18, 02:14 PM
#28
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This is what I was carrying. Seems like my offer was a bargain, after all.
09-13-18, 02:16 PM
#29
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Someone famously said, "Do to others as you would have them do to you."
You help because they are human beings, not because you think they will appreciate it or because they are willing to help themselves. It is exactly the helpless who need our help the most. The only thing expected in return are dirty hands.
If he had given away the patch kit then the OP might have made a friend. Instead he made an enemy and got himself upset.
-Tim-
You help because they are human beings, not because you think they will appreciate it or because they are willing to help themselves. It is exactly the helpless who need our help the most. The only thing expected in return are dirty hands.
If he had given away the patch kit then the OP might have made a friend. Instead he made an enemy and got himself upset.
-Tim-
Last edited by TimothyH; 09-13-18 at 02:31 PM.
09-13-18, 02:57 PM
#31
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You know, if the guy acted a bit less surly I would have lashed branches together into a recliner chair, ordered a delivery pizza, and then fixed both tires for him while he relaxed. As it was, in less than 5 minutes of dealing with this unfortunate and his attitude I had no desire to waste my time. The offer of the patch kit was a bail-out for him. Why would I give away a brand new kit to this victim? Give him my pump to use too? Like I said, I was not going to wait around. This area of the trail is well used and there would have been no problem with him flagging down another well-prepared cyclist, or he could have hoofed it another half mile down the road to a park with a bike repair station.
I had a thought, as I was writing this, that maybe the guy thought I was actually seeding the path with glass so that I could extort him later on for tire repair. Wow.
I had a thought, as I was writing this, that maybe the guy thought I was actually seeding the path with glass so that I could extort him later on for tire repair. Wow.
OK, I get it about the attitude.
09-13-18, 02:59 PM
#32
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Someone famously said, "Do to others as you would have them do to you."
You help because they are human beings, not because you think they will appreciate it or because they are willing to help themselves. It is exactly the helpless who need our help the most. The only thing expected in return are dirty hands.
If he had given away the patch kit then the OP might have made a friend. Instead he made an enemy and got himself upset.
-Tim-
You help because they are human beings, not because you think they will appreciate it or because they are willing to help themselves. It is exactly the helpless who need our help the most. The only thing expected in return are dirty hands.
If he had given away the patch kit then the OP might have made a friend. Instead he made an enemy and got himself upset.
-Tim-
This guy wasn't going to be his friend.
09-13-18, 04:01 PM
#33
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moral of the story,
If, $5 is too much to give away to help someone in need.
Then, carry a $1.99 patch kit.
If, $5 is too much to give away to help someone in need.
Then, carry a $1.99 patch kit.
09-13-18, 04:11 PM
#34
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I would've offered him a patch and dab of glue for $5! 
Seriously though I think the poster that mentioned maybe he didnt know how to patch a tube is right, that's pretty common IME.
Seriously though I think the poster that mentioned maybe he didnt know how to patch a tube is right, that's pretty common IME.
09-13-18, 04:26 PM
#35
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OK, so, the gist of what I'm getting from some of these posts is that I'm totally wasting my time and energy by taking personal responsibility and actually carrying my own repair supplies and pump (and carts). After all these years of doing just that, I'm feeling a little foolish. What, apparently, is perfectly acceptable is to ride with essentially NOTHING (knowledge, tools, patch kit, etc) and expect that someone else will handle all of that for me. OK then.
Does this free service come with snacks and frosty beverages too?
-Kedosto
*waiting for my free patch kit*
Does this free service come with snacks and frosty beverages too?
-Kedosto
*waiting for my free patch kit*
09-13-18, 04:36 PM
#36
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I'd be willing to stop and help, and I always ask when I see others stopped if they need help. But I will not let anybody use one single tool of mine.... not an air pump, C02, screwdriver.... nothing. I will do it for them, I would even patch their tube for them and inflate the tire. But I have seen people ruin tools..... you just wouldn't believe how the average male today does not know what an Allen wrench is.
First clue..... bike is upside down.
First clue..... bike is upside down.
09-13-18, 04:50 PM
#37
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OK, so, the gist of what I'm getting from some of these posts is that I'm totally wasting my time and energy by taking personal responsibility and actually carrying my own repair supplies and pump (and carts). After all these years of doing just that, I'm feeling a little foolish. What, apparently, is perfectly acceptable is to ride with essentially NOTHING (knowledge, tools, patch kit, etc) and expect that someone else will handle all of that for me. OK then.
-Kedosto
*waiting for my free patch kit*
-Kedosto
*waiting for my free patch kit*
09-13-18, 04:52 PM
#38
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Wasn't that easy?
09-13-18, 05:07 PM
#39
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People are suggesting $5 isn't much to give away to a stranger but I have to think $5 for instant road side delivery of a patch kit to fix two flat tires you weren't prepared for isn't very expensive either.
I would have bought it gratefully and considered myself extremely lucky a kind person stopped when they did so I wasn't left stuck in the boonies with ansolutely no options.
I would have bought it gratefully and considered myself extremely lucky a kind person stopped when they did so I wasn't left stuck in the boonies with ansolutely no options.
Last edited by Happy Feet; 09-13-18 at 05:13 PM.
09-13-18, 05:08 PM
#40
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For five bucks i want my tube repaired for me and a frosty beverage. I don't think i paid more than 8$ at the shop one time when i got a flat riding right near there. I imagine the 5$ kit includes tire levers and multiple patches. Opening the glue is the biggest loss.
09-13-18, 05:15 PM
#41
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Tuesday I'd have paid $5 to use your pump. Mine got left at home and did a three mile walk.
09-13-18, 05:20 PM
#42
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Why imagine. The OP listed the exact kit and what it contained in post 28.
$5 Is a cup of Starbucks for goodness sake.
$5 Is a cup of Starbucks for goodness sake.
09-13-18, 05:35 PM
#43
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Hey! Leave me outta this! (It wasn't me.) 
But, now that I'm in it...
I have offered to assist more times than I can count. Most times it's a shout out -- "Hey, you all good?" Most times the answer is "I'm good!" If I do actually circle around and unclip, my attention is immediately focused on whether or not the rider has their act together. Do they have a tube? Patch kit? Pump? Chain tool? (whatever the situation requires) I'm not AAA. I'm not a source of free supplies. I represent an offer of assistance, NOT a promise of resolution. I'll offer a patch and glue from my kit (but not the kit). Maybe the use of my pump (if they know what they're doing). A CO2 cartridge (only if they've spent their own first, and I handle my own cart to be sure it's not wasted). It may sound harsh, but I'm very happy to assist those who've done their best to be prepared and solve the problem on their own. I'm not interested in being an idiot's guardian angel.
If I seriously suspected he heard me clearly when he blew past, I'm not sure I would have stopped to offer anything later. I leave open the possibility he may not have heard/understood, but I wasn't there.
-Kedosto
But, now that I'm in it...
I have offered to assist more times than I can count. Most times it's a shout out -- "Hey, you all good?" Most times the answer is "I'm good!" If I do actually circle around and unclip, my attention is immediately focused on whether or not the rider has their act together. Do they have a tube? Patch kit? Pump? Chain tool? (whatever the situation requires) I'm not AAA. I'm not a source of free supplies. I represent an offer of assistance, NOT a promise of resolution. I'll offer a patch and glue from my kit (but not the kit). Maybe the use of my pump (if they know what they're doing). A CO2 cartridge (only if they've spent their own first, and I handle my own cart to be sure it's not wasted). It may sound harsh, but I'm very happy to assist those who've done their best to be prepared and solve the problem on their own. I'm not interested in being an idiot's guardian angel.
If I seriously suspected he heard me clearly when he blew past, I'm not sure I would have stopped to offer anything later. I leave open the possibility he may not have heard/understood, but I wasn't there.
-Kedosto
...or the dude may not have had $5 to buy the kit... maybe they just got done eating a $5 footlong & were in the motions to burn it off but instead, got a flat.
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09-13-18, 05:46 PM
#45
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Trying to sell tubes or patch kits to someone in need on a trail sounds pretty crappy to me.
09-13-18, 05:48 PM
#46
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Two things were revealed... First, I missed a few words of his op. Second, seeing as I have already pretty much taken back the whole thing, you must really need another hobby to fill your time.
09-13-18, 06:02 PM
#47
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If the person could not afford it I would agree with your point. I would never deny someone help if they needed it. But all we can go by is what the OP wrote and take it at face value. It doesn't sound like the other person was in financial need. It sounded like they had a bad attitude. I feel no moral obligation to bend over backwards for people in that situation.
09-13-18, 06:12 PM
#48
aire díthrub
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I don’t know why you would ride any trails, even rail trails with 23’s. Wether the OPs actions are right or wrong, the other cyclist is certainly at fault, for not being prepared to take care of himself and from the sounds of it, would likely had no idea how to patch a tube. I perfectly understand “...due unto others.” As I try to practice this everyday, but let us take a moment to think upon how stupid it is to ride, without being properly prepared, or likely have any idea how a tire and tube works. Selling a patch kit for a fiver certainly isn’t the friendliest thing to do, I grant you. I just hope the cyclist learned a lesson and takes some time to educate himself and more importantly, be properly self reliant. There’s no excuse for a lack of that, as an adult.
09-13-18, 06:36 PM
#49
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In retrospect, what I should have done is position my bike across the path while I was cleaning up. This would have inhibited riders (in this case only one) from rolling across the glass and eliminated the subsequent drama.
Also, for those who were assuming that I left this guy to fend for himself way out in the boonies, I've attached the Google map link below to the location. We were pretty much in the city with plenty of resources around. Even a Lowes within a half mile. Solite Park to the south has a fairly well equipped bike repair station.
Also, for those who were assuming that I left this guy to fend for himself way out in the boonies, I've attached the Google map link below to the location. We were pretty much in the city with plenty of resources around. Even a Lowes within a half mile. Solite Park to the south has a fairly well equipped bike repair station.
Last edited by Hoopdriver; 09-13-18 at 06:53 PM.
