I guess I wouldn't stop afterall
 

Either here or at a another site the question was asked:

"If you were on the verge of setting a new personal best time for a particular ride and you encountered someone having mechanical difficulty along the route, would you, knowing this would blow your chances of beating your previous best, stop to help?"

This exact situation presented itself this week and even though when asked, I had answered that I would stop and I always thought I would stop, in real life, I didn't. :(

Setting a personal time, and not in any kind of race or anything. Just a personal time on some ride. If you didnt stop you are an as*hole.

I'd stop- but I'd also stop my watch and restart it when I got back on my bike.

Would you stop it right when you got off your bike or as you were slowing down? Would you then start it when you got on your bike or when you were up to speed?:D

If it's just some guy with an X-mart bike, he's probably not that far from home, has normal shoes and can hoof it. If it's a roadie and he's on a ride without tools and spares, then he doesn't deserve my time (ride prepared or don't ride).

I will usually ask if everything's okay as I pass, but I will almost never stop.

At least you all don't slow down and gawk at the guy on the side of the road, backing up the bike lane traffic. :D

As I stop, I click the stop button on my watch timer.

As I start, I click the start button on my watch timer. I don't put a lot of thought or effort into it- I think helping a fellow biker in need is much more important than me and some silly time issue (silly to me at least in comparison to helping to someone who is in real need).

I always call out and ask if someone's ok, and if they say yes, I don't even miss a beat. If they say no, the timer goes off, the bike goes stop, and Koffee's off the bike with her full utility kit to the rescue! :D

I just remember when I needed help, it was always nice to get an extra hand... and the times when I couldn't get help, I was in deep sh*t and a really bad way, and I really would hate to see someone in a bind like that.

Koff

Peloton when you say you would never stop, would this include if they said they were having a problem when you asked?

The other day I was out for a ride, it started raining shortly after I left, I try to get a ride in before I go to work then stop for coffee and head to work. One guy was stopped along the side, I asked if everything was okie he stated no. So I stopped and gave him a hand, his BB had seized up on him, how many people carry BB tool and crank puller with them? And you are telling me you have never accidently left without something? Other day I left without my multi-tool now on my road bike if I got a flat no biggie but I was ridding my fixie so if I had gotten a flat I would be stranded, luckily that did not happen. Almost every time I have had a flat or broken chain etc 99% of the cyclists that pass me if everything is okie. You might be training racing against your time etc, but what if it was you who were stranded next time? Not trying to put you down or anything threadend, but how would you feel if you got stranded ?

Naw... I'd stop. They just never say there's a problem, so I never have to. I'd let them use tools, pump or CO2, even a spare. And then I'd remind them that they should make sure they're prepared next time.

I would not bother stopping at all for an X-Mart bike. These almost always have square bolts, schrader valves and 26" wheels. Damned little I could do for them with my allen keys, presta pump and 700c tubes.

Hey a patch kit could come in Handy even if you dont' have correct tubes etc.. I will agree it is really rare that someone says there is a problem when you ask, last week was first time some stated they had a problem when I asked. I know when I break down I appreciate everyone going bike making sure I'm have everything.

I pack tools and supplies for myself, and never carry a patch kit. I'll patch punctured tubes at home.

Setting a new best personal time is great. I can go home and boast about it all to myself till my eyes go bloodshot and my head spins. But gee... let's put this into perspective... going home and telling myself I helped someone get out a jam sure would make me feel better... most likely it would make the person I helped feel better too... and if I had to sacrifice my chance of setting some new self-meaning record then well that makes it so much sweeter.

BTW, several weeks ago, I was riding along and saw two rollerbladers (a guy and a girl) at the side of the road. At first I thought nothing of it and figured they were just taking a break. Then I saw one of the rollerbladers literally collapse into the other's arms. I stopped and asked if they were okay. The one rollerblader still standing (guy) said that he thought the girl was in trouble. Sure enough it looked like she was deeply dehydrated and bonking. He said they stopped because she was complaining naseau and he thought about walking to get help but didn't want to leave her. I asked him if there was someone he could call and handed him my phone or else I could call for an ambulance. He called a friend of his who arrived about 20 mins later. Meanwhile, I gave the girl my energy bar and some water from my water bottle.

Yes, my minitool, spare tube and presta CO2 inflator was of no use in this case but I did have other things that helped. Sometimes even if you have nothing to help out with, you can yourself be of assistance by fetching further assistance. Sometimes all is needed is just for someone to stop and see if everything's okay.

Too true, Khuon!

A few weeks back, I was riding on the path and there was a van that had pulled into the lane, blocking off the path. Cyclists were riding around her and yelling obscenities at the couple. I was pretty annoyed too, and I had my verbage ready to go, but when I got closer, it became evident that they'd pulled over because they had some car problems. They didn't know what to do. I pulled out my cell phone and asked if they needed help. They looked so distressed and upset about the whole thing, I think that little bit of friendliness had to help them out. Between their car breaking down in an inconvenient place and all the nastiness the cyclists that rode past were showing them, they were at their breaking point. I was glad to show them some friendliness I've seen on the path displayed to me.

Yeah, it felt good too...

Koffee

Koffee,

Thank you for setting a good example.

I always stop. No PR is worth not helping a fellow biker.

I agree totally, people should ride prepared. I carry everything I would need for a minor fix, and expect others to do the same. I will ask if they are ok (just hoping that they are), but it is more of a politeness. Man, to stop or not, to be honest I'm not that handy anyway....

Thanks for not being overjudgemental Kev, hopefully the " :( " in my post demonstrated how I felt about my decision. I was surprised at myself for not stopping, this wasn't typical behavior for me. For some reason I just blew by this guy standing about 2 miles from the trailhead parking lot with a broken chain in his hand, knowing full well I had a chain tool and quick link in my seatbag.

I won't make excuses, I know it was wrong and given the chance to do it over I'd like to think I would stop, however, is the self shocking truth.

I'm curious though, how many of you that cry "leper! unclean! leper!" speak from the perspective of actual experience rather than from good intentions?

Sometimes you do fall into that Zen type of experience where nothign really brakes through, even reality of someone braking down. I'm not saying I am better then you for stopping or asking people if they are alright by any means. I've made decisions that I regretted later, who has not?

I would stop.... but that's only because I ride without really caring about my time or avg speed etc etc. in fact i usually end up messing up the readings by forgetting to press the button, pressing it accidentally.

the only thing i really watch is my heart rate and instantaneous speed.... but even these i don't watch religiously.

I would also stop because I have been stranded in the middle of nowhere with a broken wrist 20 miles from home. 30 mins of sticking out my thumb to hitch a ride to no avail. Ever since that experience I have resolved to help fellow cyclists in distress (considering my safety first).

I was on a supported ride, TOSRV on Mother's Day Weekend. It is a double century ride--usually not too many newbie cyclists on ride like this so early in the year. A cyclist was stranded, I asked if he was okay. He said no. I stopped and helped. Wish I hadn't though. First, he had a flat, his tires were old. I let him use my repair kit. Then he tried to pumped it up and had a problem with the tube coming through the tire. I told him about making a boot with a dollar bill (something I learned at BF). He didn't have any money. So I gave him a dollar. Then he had to pump the tire back up. His stem was too short. I gave him an extender that fits on the valve. Then he complained about having to pump the tire again. He asked me how I pumped my tires. I told him I use CO2 cartridges. He didn't want to pump his tires, he wanted my CO2. I told him the cartridges were $2 each and I would be happy to sell him mine or he could use his own pump. So he complained the whole time about nobody stopping, about having to pump his tire. I told him the sidewall was dryrotted and he should ride back to the sag. Boy was I glad to get rid of him.

What a smart comment! We picked up a guy in Thonon les Bains some time ago. The road does a tour of Lac Leman. The chap was from Geneva. He had punctured both his tubeless! What should he carry around with him, a biycyle shop? :mad:

Frankly, I prefer Koffee B's comments :beer:

I'd probably stop to offer assistance. PB's aren't all there is to life, and I can always set a new one next time I do that ride...

... and when I do, it will be all the sweeter because I was "robbed" last time!

I need to add a qualification to my comment. I've ridden past riders in the past who appeared to have the situation under control. In those situations, I probably wouldn't stop as I wouldn't really see the point. However, if someone appears to be in need of assistance, I'll provide it.

I'd stop I can always make another attempt at the PR. You never know when you'll be the one broken down on the side of the road and may need assistance.

Zack

Maybe you should have left him there to learn his lesson. Thanks to you, he won't learn it and he'll continue being a leech on better prepared passers-by.

When I rode tubies I carried two spares on most rides, three on solo rides of more than 70 miles. I also carry a cell phone and a $20 bill.

It's worth noting that I ride clinchers today. I wouldn't have been able to help your ill-prepared "chap" anyway.

:roflmao:

I laughed the whole way through your explanation... this guy is classic!

Seriously, though- I've noticed in Chicago, even when someone else is helping out someone with their bikes, people will still stop and ask if you need an extra hand. You wouldn't have been alone dealing with this helpless guy in Chicago. At the same time, he would have gotten a big lecture from the people helping him too.

Hope it didn't affect your double century, though...

Koffee