jefnvk

Can you do that before a driver accepts your ride? I've only used the service infrequently, curious how it works if they accept then cannot/choose not to accommodate you. As one with a light color interior car, I know despite my best efforts a tire ALWAYS leaves a mark somewhere.

TimothyH

See, now this is truly sublime.

Has to be a paved road though, which rules out gravel where a Philippe Gilbert move is more likely.

I-Like-To-Bike

Or riding on trails or in the woods where motor vehicles have no access.

unterhausen

the one time I used uber for a rescue, I had to ride 20 miles uphill to the hotel we were staying at, it was getting dark, and nothing I drank would stay down. Not within range of calling anyone I knew for a ride. So I got an uberX, which are big enough for a bike. Not sure that a regular uber wouldn't have worked. The worst part was that the app killed the battery on my phone, very annoying. In retrospect, I was somewhat lucky because the driver showed up at the hotel next door to the place I had told the app I was at. I think a lot of drivers would have left.

I feel like uber probably works better for this in an area with somewhat smaller population density. I think in a big area with a lot of potential customers, it would be too much trouble.

Jay-W

Last time I used uber you had to book it first to be able to contact the driver. If they can't accomodate your bike then it's easy just to cancel. Luckily my driver had an SUV. I was more worried about sitting on the seats in sweaty kit. He didn't care. *five stars*

I-Like-To-Bike

"Self reliance" does not necessarily require squeezing pennies until they bleed.

Yep, it is so easy now to surf the Internet looking up various products that you have no intention to buy, and better yet, can ask for reviews and opinions from strangers about all the products that you still have have no intention to buy, no matter what is said about the product.

PaulRivers

I can fit my bike inside most vehicles by taking the front wheel, and all vehicles by taking off the back wheel as well. A bit annoying to put things back on but not a huge deal when I'm doing it at home, inside, when it's convenient.

Or if that's not possible, you can request an "Uber Xl" where a bigger vehicle will show up. Costs about twice as much but it would work.

PaulRivers

I bought a Moto z3 that comes with a "battery mod" that snaps onto the back that gives you around a 5,000mah battery life equivalent. It's been such a relief to have my phone - just last. It never runs out of battery any more. And it's still a fairly slim size that's easy to hold onto. Before this I was always having issues with my phone running out at just the wrong time, now never.

They'll call you if they don't spot you when they pull up. You are carrying a phone.

Hmm? I would think it would be the opposite. The more customers there are, the more uber drivers there are. It's the most difficult with a lower population density where the uber driver needing to drive a longer distance to get to you.

PaulRivers

Come to think of it, I had to use an Uber last year. I was biking with my brother to a restaurant. We got there, locked our bikes up, ate, etc. Come out to unlock my bike - my lock won't open. It's a combination ulock lock and I'm sure I have the combination right because I set them all to the same thing. I try it over and over again over 15 minutes - spinning all the dials, putting it in backwards, etc, it just won't open.

Finally I give up and get an uber back to my car then drive back to pick up my brothers bike at least. Tried my bike once more - lock pops open like it's nothing.

Got home, threw the lock out.

Hard to see any realistic way you could plan ahead for that..."I always carry a portable angle grinder with me just in case my bike lock fails to open" lol...there's just some things you can't fix yourself. A long time ago my bike frame rusted out and cracked at the bottom bracket. Same thing. "I always carry a spare bike frame or a welding torch just in case..."

radroad

So UberX is required if you want to transport a bike? I've never heard of anyone using uber for this purpose but I've wondered if it was allowed. Depends on the driver I suppose. If they're willing to put with a greasy, dirty chain and dirty tires on the floor and interior bless them.

The USA Cycling membership is a brilliant idea. $65 annual fee for roadside assistance plus a free t? Sign me up.

rumrunn6

I tried that with my taxi hoping to get a bike rack or van, but the guy came w just a big sedan. wound up taking the front wheel off & lodging the bike in the back seat

but on a hot day, the air conditioning was a welcome plus!

fietsbob

Some of our Taxis here have a bike rack on the back, the buses have them on the Front.

Doge

Neither are realistic on these routes. Sure, anything can happen, but I/he do not not plan for 10 year events.

Maelochs

Seems the solution is to not bother carrying tubes and tools .. but to stow a bike rack on the bike.

Doge

Very clear that flats are very region based. In SoCal we have glass, wires and Goat Heads. You are going to flat if you use air. But we also have the ride share and cell coverage in our usual riding areas.

In CO - he rides without spares on tubulars much of the time (not in the city - they have glass too). There is little to flat on. Many other cities have their own things.
I road coast to coast on tublulars in 83. I had a couple flats - I think, kinda forgot. But no cell then.

Maelochs

I went coast-to-coast in 2015. On the stretch of highway after the Angeles mountains heading into Nevada we had multiple flats every day---truck-tire belt wire. Rest of the ride, not many.

Roadside debris form accidents, broken bits bouncing out of open vehicles, sharp stones ... never found a place where a rider Couldn't get flats. I'd say it was more route-specific than regional---if you ride roads without a lot of truck traffic 9anywhere construction crew use pickup usually sucks) with long stretches without houses or buildings your odds will be better.

Not mine. I am a flat-magnet sometimes. I should lead group rides like a minesweeper.

Sy Reene

+1. The AAA option can work as well.. a Northeast basic membership is I think $52 and covers 2 bike tows, but only up to 10 miles. Of course, it's a better deal if you also have a car.

indyfabz

Some areas have Uber X or whatever it's called. It's for when you need a large vehicle.

biketube guy

Hoopdriver: Well said, sir, on all points.