This thread reminds me that I need to be a better person and offer more sincere help when I see people stopped by the side of the road/path. It's pretty easy to care only about the group you're riding with...

Been that way for a long time as far as not being prepaired. It ahs been a long time since I've ridden the beach bike path South of Santa Monica. There used to be a wall where the path went by in a long sweeping 180 degree turn. The inside was paved and a nice spot to stop and watch the riders go by.

This was long enough ago that CO2s were rare. I'd say over half the bikes had no pump and no saddlebag of any kind. No way htey had anyting to fix a flat. Far less than 10% had a visible pump.

In my area (north Florida), when I've been along the road adjusting one thing or another, pretty much every passing bike gives an "all okay?" yell in passing and many, many cars stop and ask if I need help.

Actually probably any female. Though the percentage shoudl also be pretty hight for a 16 year old. Unless he is scary looking (or already has tools out like in this case).

I still tend to slow down and ask. Even a well equiped rider can have issues. In fact the only stop I rememebr was on The Grand Tour decades ago where I asked and the guy needed a tube. Already on his 3rd flat at the 25 mile mark or so. I had 2 tubes plus a patch kit so he got one of mine.

And asking everyone is good practice in case a hot chick needs help. And I'm much better at saying I ask nearly everyone when it is the truth.

Personally, regardless of whether or not they look like they have it handled, I always ask them if they would like any help. If they are really bothered by my asking, then that's on them. I usually get a simple "No Thanks. Got it Handled.", and I keep moving on.

If I see that they are in distress, obviously frustrated, or walking their bike, I will stop first, approach, then ask if I can be of assistance.

There was one woman last year that met all 3 of these criteria (saddle was nearly vertical) - and she declined my offer at first, but I insisted - showed her that I had the tools to help. After all was said and done, she was very thankful.

Usually it's simply polite to ask - sometimes it's best to take the initiative, and be persistent. Some people are shy and don't want to 'bother' anyone with their troubles.

But that's just my opinion...

On a well traveled route over the weekend it is very common for people not to stop/ask. If you're working on it the assumption is you have it handled. Look a little befuddled or give a wave and people stop. But for the vast majority of cyclists around here a flat is no worry and the repeated stop/"you OK?" get a little annoying so few people bother. For the fraction of newbs who are totally unprepared it does serve a valuable lesson. Someone always stops to help eventually ;)

I remember I helped a guy a couple years ago, two other fellows were stopped too, but when they had the tire fixed the chain had looped around itself and I was able to help unsure it. Also, one of the Ride the River ride on the Mississippi River, my dad got a flat and a cyclist in a car stopped and asked if we needed help and was quite insistent on helping us, though he had everything taken care of. I like the previous comment about belonging to a community, that's what I think most of us try to be part of.

Couple weeks ago I stopped to adjust my RD (new cable) and a fellow asked if I needed help. That was pretty nice of him.

Depends. Bike, car or motorcycle - I've stopped to help out lots of people. Some people - older people for example - can be much less prepared or equipped to deal with a mishap - particularly in winter.

But everyone broadcasts a level of approachability too and anyone that looks and dresses in an antisocial manner shouldn't expect lots of offers. Same for cyclists trying to portray an 'I'm a world champion' image. Have to say I've also driven by a few cyclists without stopping simply because of the lack of consideration they displayed earlier to other cyclists before they were 'grounded'.

Most of the time, if I see a lone rider or even 2 riders stopped and trying to fix, I will come to a full stop and then ask them if they need assistance. The mere action of stopping says a lot and really gets the attention of all parties. The likelihood of a meaningful conversation begins. Sometimes they have a small minipump and I show them the Topeak Road Morph and how much easier it would be for me to get it past 100 psi. Then they quickly change their minds and let me help them.

That's why I don't carry CO2 cartridges and use a lumbar bag for more emergency stuff.

If someone appears to be in trouble I'll usually ask if they are OK. If someone is clearly fixing a flat (e.g. bike upside down, applying a patch to a tube etc) and it's clear they know what they are doing I'll just go on by.

When I've been stopped a few times people have checked I'm OK and every single time I've been fine - just stopping for a break or similar. Ironically the one time I did need help (the time I got a flat and found my spare tube was faulty) was the time that dozens of cyclists went on by without stopping, despite me pushing a bike with the wheel resting inside the tyre and visibly struggling to keep it rolling straight.

I remember one case in a local park where I stopped to check on a lady who was walking her bike along a gentle downhill section. It turned out what she liked to do was cycle to the park, walk around the park to take in the views, then cycle home. But she was thankful for me stopping.

Yes, I nearly always ask.

I will stop and ask if they need help if they are female, between the ages of 16 and 35 and HOT !!!

I always ask....

I find it funny that the OP waves as riders go by but wonders why they aren't concerned about his flat. If he were in trouble, he wouldn't be waving, he'd be asking for help.:p

Plus, if this 'happens a lot", the OP should own up and prepare properly to make sure it doesn't "happen a lot". I make sure to carry more than one spare tube, a pump and proper supplies. I expect that of myself so I'd expect it of others. Knowing the situation, I rely on myself and never fret over why others didn't make me their responsibility. A serious mechanical is different, but a flat? It's par t of riding and for me to "expect from others", just plain silly IMO.
The guys that offer help do so because they are being very kind not because the flat victim should expect it.

I've helped tons of riders with flat, mehcanicals and even providing them with tubes. I gets expensive after 20 tubes or so. I've gotten to the point of thinkig, if they don't take care of their own problems, why should I make it mine?

And certainly if I ride by and you honestly need help, you better do more than just wave! If you need help, it's your responsibility to ask me, not the other way around. ;)

Maybe I should go for a drive on the freeway till my truck runs dry then expect other drivers to offer gas. In other words, ride your bike with the expectation of being self sufficient, not with the expectations that everyone should obligated to offer help. If I flat, it is perfectly ok that 0 out of 200 rides offers help, the thought never even enters my mind.. ;)

*riding through thread, trying not to make eye contact...*

So then you can't see me waving at you while I enjoy my granola bar on the side of the road? :D

*looks intently back at the main forum board.*

Reminds me of one time I was stopped in a layby with the bike leaning against a post with me stood with my back to the bike and facing into the road. Several people on bikes slowed as they passed, then when they realised I was eating and drinking they figured I was on a rest stop and kept going. I imagine the fact my response to them was nothing more than a nod and a greeting rather than "can you help me" might have confirmed their thoughts.

lol :D

No, I'm self-sufficient enough to fix a flat by myself. I carry 2 spare tubes, a patch kit, tire levers, a wrench, a mini-pump - everything I need. And I have fixed a handful of flats on the road. I wasn't expecting any help from anyone, and I certainly shouldn't put that burden on anyone else. At the same time, it seems a bit like common courtesy to ask someone if they need help if they're fixing a flat. I guess my situation looked pretty in control (bike flipped over, tools out on the sidewalk, me waving at cyclists passing by), so I realize that's why not many people asked if I needed help.

But I was wondering if most of them WOULD help if I really needed it. A lot of them seemed like they were trying to not look at me, which was sort of surprising. Not very friendly if you ask me.

EDIT: The 'it seems to happen a lot' comment was about getting a flat after stopping to take a break. It always seems that if I stop on the side of the road to take a bite of some food or to wait for my friends, something gets into my tire :P

Yesterday I was taking a water and snack break under a tree in the 91deg heat on a 53mi ride. A gentleman riding by looked down at me and asked, "are you alright??". I must have looked whuuped, even with my bike leaning against the tree (not on the ground), bottle sitting by my side and me reading my iphone for distraction from the moment. Otherwise, he was being the extra gentleman by asking. I got up and reassured him....maybe he is a physician, I dont know....and gave a kind word back to him.

Maybe there are those that zip on by because they have learned how to do this in their cars and makes it easier for them to ignore those who might be in need.

Of course they would but then again, I wonder if you would ask if you really needed it? ;)

FTR, I've descended mountain roads for 30 minutes, then returned with my truck to pick up riders in trouble because they really needed it. Riders waving and smiling eating a granola bar would not be on my concern list.

1:28 into the video, a rider stopped me on the trail to thank me for doing so a few weeks earlier. He crash on a mountain descent. Gina and I descended the mountain, I left my wife at the parking area, drove back up to pick up the guy then drove him across the county to drop him off at his car where he was to meet his friends. I then drove back to pick up my wife who was waiting for me with her bike near dark (only two bike carrier in my tuck) and the cab was used for the rider to lay out as he separated his shoulder and possible broken ribs. This was not the first time and will probably not be the last.

So yeah, many other riders will help you if you really need it, even when you don't. I just think these "why don't most of the other riders offer help even though I don't need it?" experiments and threads are silly. ;)

Not to pick on you solely but these threads are fairly common. I can not for the life of me figure out how having a flat means I reall need help? Be self sufficient, take care of your self and others will help if you really need it. Having to fix a common flat is not really needing help.

I've seen plenty of riders fixing flat, I don't bother them. I've seen plenty of sick looking MOFO's on the road looking to barf etc. I stop to offer them my food, bars, drink etc. This is needing help, not fixing your own darn flat.:p

Again, at 1:28 this guy stopped us to thank us for the help when he really need it. That is when I am always willing to help a fellow cyclist that really needs it. ;)

I went for a ride today with my wife, and was able to help a father & son that were out for a ride. The son's chain broke and fell off on a downhill, and he didn't realize he had no chain until they got to the bottom. I followed the dad back up the hill to find it. Turns out the master link was all chewed up. I had a spare 9-speed master link to offer up - but his son's mountain bike (a very nice Santa Cruz Heckler) is a 10-speed. It wasn't a perfect fit, but it allowed them to finish up their ride.

About a month ago I got my first flat on the road. I had nothing with me at that time to replace the tube (ive since learmed and carry everything i need now) and was close to home. While I waited for my wife, 2 motorists and a motorcycle police officer stopped and asked if i needed help. While at that moment i didnt i decided that from that time on I will always ask if i can help someone. It is true that most of the time no one wants the help and will sometimes appear to be annoyed that I asked but I dont take it personally anymore. I think even the most annoyed acting cyclist actually feels a bit better having someone ask rather than just spped by which Ive seen many people do. I guess once in a while it could lead to something bad happening but Id rather ask anyway.

Ive had some people ask me if i needed help while I was just resting and having a gel or a snack. LOL

This morning I was about three miles from work when I heard that old familiar hissing sound.

I was a bit annoyed, since the tire is only a month old and I've got a Mr. Tuffy tire liner in there. I had a spate of flats and wound up replacing both tires and put tire liners in both of 'em.

This time it was the sidewall. It had come unraveled. I was about 15 minutes (by bike) away from work, and I had 25 minutes to get there.

There's this guy that rides in that neighborhood. I've seen him quite a few times. He's retired and took up riding his son's old Peugeot to build up his knees following some knee surgery. We've stopped and chatted a few times and always at least wave at each other as we pass.

He happened by, asked if I needed a hand and I said "Man, I could sure use a ride to work." He said "No problem, let me go get my truck!". He got me to work with two minutes to spare. I thanked him profusely.

I've never seen anyone stuck by the side of the road trying to repair a flat. I'm sure glad that guy stopped when he saw me. I think I'll pay it forward.