SpoonyGSR

So I started a 30 mile ride today with some fresh tubes..

At about the 3 mile mark, I noticed a noise coming for my front rim.. I stop, and see the tire bubbling out, with a bit of tube hanging out as well.. So, I release the air, and I get the tube sitting right, and grab my co2 inflater.. I fill the tire.. (actually overfilled) and about 500 yards down the path, my tube blows..

So I start the repair of my tube, had a spare on me.. Get it all fixed up, and I guess i didnt seat the tube right, and as soon as i put a little air in it.. bam.. blows up in my face.. sounded like a gun.. so I only had one tube, and I wreaked the tubes and couldnt patch.

Oh well.. it was my inexperience on properly changing a tube. (first time doing it on 700 rims/tires)

As I was doing all my repairs, a few really fast guys came by, and didnt even look at me.. regardless if I had it under control.. i think they should of asked if i needed anything.. i always do..

I did have 3 people stop and help, gave me a tube, showed me a few tricks on seating everything correctly, lent me a pump, and made sure I was good to go before they left. Saved me from a 3 mile hike back to my car... I offered him some money for the tube, and he wouldnt take it.

I dunno, i was just shocked being on a bike trail and all that people dont help out other people, and then I was fortunate that someone did.

SO yea.. like the title says.. negative and positive experiences today.

ddez

Always carry a couple of spare tubes or at least a patch kit so you can help someone if need be (including your own tire repairs of course). It always great to help when you can. It seems to come back to you in many ways as a side benefit.

adam_mac84

i blew a tire today too... 200 miles into the bike (my first on road flat)... only thing different for me was, my dad did stop, and ridicule me while i replaced the tube... i did however teach him a trick i learned on these forums with a dollar bill for my cut tire

green814

As you found out, there are some riders that aren't willing to help a fellow cyclist out. Sorry you had to experience this!

Try to practice removing and replacing the tire/tube while at home. I know this may start a for/against war, but I personally have a pump I carry on the bike just in case there is more than 1 flat, or 2. You can run out of CO2, but a pump is ready to go.

Last year while riding the Zoo-De-Mack in Northern Mi, my Brother-In-Law and I ended up helping a lady who had flat #3, was out of CO2, and was ready to throw the towel in. We gave her a tube, inflated the tire with my Blackburn, and she finished the ride. We wouldn't take any money, just said if we saw each other later in Mackinaw, or on the Island, buy us a beer.

As for our (my Wife and I) ride today, we planned on heading to a somewhat local state park, and riding there with our Twin Boys on the trail-a-bikes. WELL.....instead we rode from the house, stopped by to look at a road bike that was local on CL, my wife test road it, placed a deposit, road home, and got the truck to go pick it up!

Chris

Mr. Beanz

Positive- somebody helped you
Negative- you were uprepared
Positive- being self sufficient
Negative- expecting others to waste their time making up for your lack of knowledge and preparation

Passing riders- positive, they were out to enjoy their ride!

------------------------------------

How many tubes have I given away to unprepared cyclists? About 30

How many more can I afford to give away? None

How much of my ride time have I wasted on unprepared cyclist? ALOT!

How much of another rider's time Have I wasted because I was unprepared? NONE!

Cyclist01012 

I guess you did not take the time to make sure your tires were seated right in the first place. You said you started the ride with "fresh" tubes who put them on?

Changing out a tube on a 700 rim is no different the a 26" a 27" a 24" or a 20" , if you can change one you can change them all.

The "really fast guys" were supposed to stop their ride just to make sure you were ok with your fixng a flat? Were they on their way to work? A fast paced training ride? tyring to get a good work out in before picking up the kids from school? Just because you needed a hand dose not mean they need to stop. Do you stop for every car with its hood up along the freeway?

That being said I will stop and help change a tube, or teach someone to patch a tire, But only if I have the time.

2 tubes a patch kit a pump evertime you leave the house.

Mr. Beanz

Exactly, but after helping 30 unprepared cyclist, it gets silly. They need to take responsibility for themselves.

With that said, not every cyclist that ride by is a jerkface! When local organized rides are happening, I grab my floor pump, some tools and ride along the course offering help to riders with mechanicals and flats. On the last ride, i changed 3 flats for riders on the side of the road. I'm pretty sure a rider on an organized ride is pretty happy when they flat and some dude jumps out of a truck and changes the flat for them. Makes their negative experience rather pleasant.

I've also driven some seriously bonking riders up a very steep section of road. That's after sitting on the side of the road cheering for riders trying to motivate them up the hill.

Not to mention the many forum riders I've asked my wife to drive support offering water, tools, gatorade and any other type of support for rides consisting or 30 riers or more. Never accepting a penny for drinks or gas from those who offer.

So because I don't want to ruin my pleasant ride, break up my workout or don't have tme to give a roadside flat repair clininc, does that make me a jerkface rider? How many times have you taken the time to provided aid for other riders or driven support for groups of 30+ riders?

People help because they want to, not becaue they owe you anything!

I like Milice's example with the cars on the side of the road. Yes, I've stopped to help a elderly senior couple with a flat. They sure were happy they didn't have to wait in the triple digit heat for Triple A!