I took a ride on Memorial Day in the 100deg heat and got about 13 miles from my house when my tire went flat. I had a spare tube, but stupidly neglected to bring a pump. Fortunately, another passing cyclist had a pump and put me back on my way. Unfortunately, the tube I used was ancient and lasted only about 3 miles before it too went flat. I called everyone I knew to try and get a ride, but being Memorial Day no one was available. I started walking in my cleats to the nearest bike shop (~3 miles away) when a guy and his kid pulled up in their car to offer their help. His name was Kevin but I can't remember his last name, partially because I was preoccupied with my crisis, but mostly because my brain was cooked to medium-well inside my skull. He told me that when he stopped, his son had said to him, "Dad, why are you stopping? You told me never to talk to strangers." He said to his son, "That's true, but he is a cyclist, so it's OK."

Kevin threw my bike in his trunk and drove me the three miles to the bike shop. Althought the bike shop was closed, I was able to get ahold of someone to give me a ride home from there. I just wanted to thank Kevin and the other cyclists who were so willing to help a stranded cyclist. Next time I'll be more prepared, if not for myself, then to help others if the need should arise.

Good lesson to be learned here.
Never go out unprepared.
2 tubes, pump, patches and a good strong voice to ask any cyclist you see pulled over if he needs a hand

Thanks for posting this. The world is full of bad news and I don't need any more.

Awesome, I love hearing news like this!