You Do Someone a Favour...

Rich Hcp

I was out with three friends on the trails on Saturday making the most of the last of the sun ansd we heard a bang that sounded like a bird scarer.

Turns out it was someone's tube!

We stopped and chatted and he realised he'd got Presta valves and his spare tube was a Shrader...

I have Prestas on mine and carry a spare tube, which I offered and after a short debate he took.

They asked for my phone number for them to reimburse for the tube.

I went home and bought a couple of tubes of ebay, I use Dr Sludge tubes, so they're just spares.

Still waiting for that phone call....

Its not the cost, its the thought., they should have phoned.

I'd do the same again, but its just shows the lack of care and respect these days

Rant over

Chalky76

there's a slim chance they lost your number........or they're just tight

nicklouse

dont wory Karma will catch up.

Anonymous

I lent a lady who locked herself out of her house £20 once, and gave her a lift to find a mini cab so she could get to her sisters.

She never phoned me back. I know where she lives, so I could go round, but that's not the point. Like you say it's more the principle.

Squarepants

last time this happened to me (puncture on an uplift day) typicially when I forgot to bring all my puncture repar kit, a lad gave me a spare tube and I ran to the car and paid him for it there and then, it's the done thing. If I hadn't of had any money on me I would have paid him some how (that sounds slightly homoerotic doesn't it...)

I remember giving him £5 :? think I over paid; that's what happens when you're in that situation I guess. Think I was hoping he'd chuck me a few quid back - so my story is the antithesis of the OPs. Ah well maybe some one will be overly generous with me one day (like fu....)

blablablacksheep

id like to say that MTBers are the best when it comes to helping other cyclists.

I have stopped many times on river paths to lend someone a hand getting a tube on or fixing a chain ect.

then karma

when i finished work one day and relized i had a metal shard in my tyre i was pretty anoyed given i had used my "spare" to fix a punture on the way to work :evil: ....

Was getting dark and looked bad, while i attempting to fix it a good 3 road bikers zipped past me :roll: ...then some MTB guy stopped and asked if i needed help, explained problem, he offered tube..sorted.

Next day saw him on way to work, gave him a tube in return it all goes around no dout

Squarepants

:popcorn ready:

njee20

Was getting dark and looked bad, while i attempting to fix it a good 3 road bikers zipped past me ...then some MTB guy stopped and asked if i needed help, explained problem, he offered tube..sorted.

Doubt a 700x23c tube would've been much use...

OP: if they were your friends why were you swapping phone numbers and sitting by the phone and what not? Surely you'll see them again sometime?

I leant 2 tubes to friends on a ride a couple of weeks ago, they both punctured, and were carrying on after I went home, so I gave them the 2 spares I had in my car. I didn't expect them to replace them, I'm sure one day I'll be out riding with them and I'll need something they have. WGAS?

gilesjuk

Gave someone £20 once in Birmingham, usual sob story about not being able to get home on the coach etc.

She asked for my details but I never heard a thing, probably spent it on drugs.

gilesjuk

njee20 wrote:

Doubt a 700x23c tube would've been much use...

I've put skinny tubes in a 29er MTB, but not a 26er. It might work but you'd probably have a lumpy ride home.

cooldad

What njee said.

welshkev

i'm actually part guilty of this :oops: i was out riding with a group of lads - most of which i hadn't ridden with before. i got apuncture and changed it with my tube, but as i took the pump off i snapped the valve!! one of the lds gave me a spare tube he had - i also lost one of his tyre levers :shock:

i still have the replacement tyre lever and tube i bought to replace them in my camelback ready to give him but haven't had the chance and it was about 3 months ago - sorry clamps

Squarepants

Kev I owe Daz that 5ver! Oh my days I'm going to hell.. :oops:

Anonymous

Maybe they'll pass it on.

If everyone did then eventually when it's your turn you'd get the reward.

I seem to be spare parts bank. Mostly tubes and chain links. Barely ever used them myself. Not fussed about getting anything back though. Nice thought if they do, but I'm happy to help out.

If they look like a pikey or chav, I let them suffer though.

Or lycra clad roadie, I just laugh

paulbox

deadkenny wrote:

Or lycra clad roadie, I just laugh

It might be a mtb'er just trying to lose some weight or get fit...

Squarepants

^^ Then ride bigger mountains

Rich Hcp

njee20 wrote:

OP: if they were your friends why were you swapping phone numbers and sitting by the phone and what not? Surely you'll see them again sometime?

Er, the guy was a stranger. Thats why I gave my phone number.

Thinking about it, he wouldn't give his details, so he had no intention, it seems, of replacing the tube.

With yer mates you sometimes borrow, but replace either with a tube or a pint of beer 8)

Karma will come around.

mikeysickalrigh

I tell you what, a new thing "Pass it on"

Next time you see someone in need of an inner tube, give them one, for free. But tell them that next time they see someone in need of an inner tube, then they should give them one for free and tell them to pass it on.

Then we will live in a utopia of inner tube sharing!

Stu Coops

I have been at the roadside and trail fixing either a problem or putting in a new tube and I have to say that when other riders have past be it roadies or MTBers they have always asked if I needed a hand.

And equally I have always done the same I could never ride past someone who's having problems and potentially having to walk back which can take hours in some cases and remember guys the more people this good deed happens will more than likely pass on the compliment as lets face it in the real world people don't seem to give a s**t about anyone but themselves so it's nice to see that we cyclists are decent folk roadies and MTbers

HebdenBiker

My chain snapped at the top of a climb at Ironman Austria, 2006. There was a drinks station there, so lots of marshals, vehicles, TV crews etc. I ran round shouting "mechanic, bitte!" A marshal said "follow me" and sped off on his MTB. I coasted down the hill with him, chainless, to a bike shop in the village at the bottom of the hill. The shop was shut but the owner was sat outside watching the race. The marshal explained to him in German and he opened the shop, went in and got a chain, and fitted it in 2 minutes flat. I had no money. I was in the middle of a race.

Bike Shop Guy wanted paying for the chain. I had no money. I was in the middle of a race! Get this. The marshal paid for the chain! I insisted he gave me his details, so he gave me his business card.

I shoved the card down the front of my tri suit and in the heat of the race forgot all about it until the next day, when I realised I'd lost it.

Several weeks later I found the business card at the bottom of my kit bag and emailed him a profuse apology for the delay. He completely understood. He sent me his address so I sent him his money back and a gift of the nicest hardback photographic book of Britain I could find.

I had spend a year training for that race. Had it not been for the kindness of that man, it would have all been for nothing. Some people (most people?) will go way out of their way to help out in a jam.

pilsburypie

mikeysickalrigh wrote:

I tell you what, a new thing "Pass it on"

Next time you see someone in need of an inner tube, give them one, for free. But tell them that next time they see someone in need of an inner tube, then they should give them one for free and tell them to pass it on.

Then we will live in a utopia of inner tube sharing!

Next time you see someone with a puncture stop and punch them in the face. This will balance the karma with the bloke who didn't have the decency to phone and reimburse you.

MountainMonster

Tubes are cheap, I just like making peoples day and giving them one if they need. it.

Much better to have a good feeling than a bad one, especially when dealing with such small amounts of money. Of course I won't give out stupid amounts of tubes, but on the off chance I see someone, go for it.

Lifes too short to be rude.

YIMan

Ditto, gave someone a tube on Rushup Edge last year. He offered to pay, I said not to bother, I am sure karma will catch up and it felt good just to help.

Rich Hcp

I agree with the last two posters.


To offer and not bother to get in touch is worse than not bothering at all, my number was put in a mobi, I expect he deleted it. If he had phoned I probably would have told him its not worth the bother.

I would have helped anyway, it makes you feel good and if they'd had no money, then thats the way it goes.

As has been said, pass it on.

I'd like to think that if I was in trouble someone would help. I certainly couldn't ride off knowing I had the kit to help them.

It was a good ride on a good day, I think I won all round

bobgfish

Lifes too short to be rude

+1

Not enough friendly buggers in this world. Espically when I was lying on the deck a few weeks ago.

Ghostt

Similarly, if you can save someone's ride with an inner tube, why not make their day? And if they're too much of a t**t to offer anything back, don't pull over next time you see them hunched over their bike!

Saw a brilliant example of helping others out a couple of weeks ago. Was on a ride with a mountain bike club, not a member but tagged along as they had a few new guys. One lad was on an ancient rigid trek, and of course managed to snap his mech hanger. Queue 5 riders stopping and using their accumulated tools/knowledge to do a quick singlespeed conversion, after trying a spare mech hanger someone had. Lad was chuffed, and I haven't had a puncture since...!

ilovedirt

HebdenBiker wrote:

My chain snapped at the top of a climb at Ironman Austria, 2006. There was a drinks station there, so lots of marshals, vehicles, TV crews etc. I ran round shouting "mechanic, bitte!" A marshal said "follow me" and sped off on his MTB. I coasted down the hill with him, chainless, to a bike shop in the village at the bottom of the hill. The shop was shut but the owner was sat outside watching the race. The marshal explained to him in German and he opened the shop, went in and got a chain, and fitted it in 2 minutes flat. I had no money. I was in the middle of a race.

Bike Shop Guy wanted paying for the chain. I had no money. I was in the middle of a race! Get this. The marshal paid for the chain! I insisted he gave me his details, so he gave me his business card.

I shoved the card down the front of my tri suit and in the heat of the race forgot all about it until the next day, when I realised I'd lost it.

Several weeks later I found the business card at the bottom of my kit bag and emailed him a profuse apology for the delay. He completely understood. He sent me his address so I sent him his money back and a gift of the nicest hardback photographic book of Britain I could find.

I had spend a year training for that race. Had it not been for the kindness of that man, it would have all been for nothing. Some people (most people?) will go way out of their way to help out in a jam.

That's a nice story!

I tend to stop and make sure people are ok if it looks like they're having a mechanical.
As for the tubes, I'll leave it to karma. A guy I was riding with for a weekend up in scotland last year gave me a tube when I was in a pickle. He didn't seem to be too bothered about it, but I told him I'd give him one back next time I see him. I've not seen him since, but if I do, I'll make sure to give him a tube
Similarly, I'll happily give someone a tube for free if they're out on the trail. If I was in their situation and faced with a long walk home, I'd want them to do the same. I tend to carry two or three spare tubes with me at all times anyway

MountainMonster

HebdenBiker wrote:

My chain snapped at the top of a climb at Ironman Austria, 2006. There was a drinks station there, so lots of marshals, vehicles, TV crews etc. I ran round shouting "mechanic, bitte!" A marshal said "follow me" and sped off on his MTB. I coasted down the hill with him, chainless, to a bike shop in the village at the bottom of the hill. The shop was shut but the owner was sat outside watching the race. The marshal explained to him in German and he opened the shop, went in and got a chain, and fitted it in 2 minutes flat. I had no money. I was in the middle of a race.

Bike Shop Guy wanted paying for the chain. I had no money. I was in the middle of a race! Get this. The marshal paid for the chain! I insisted he gave me his details, so he gave me his business card.

I shoved the card down the front of my tri suit and in the heat of the race forgot all about it until the next day, when I realised I'd lost it.

Several weeks later I found the business card at the bottom of my kit bag and emailed him a profuse apology for the delay. He completely understood. He sent me his address so I sent him his money back and a gift of the nicest hardback photographic book of Britain I could find.

I had spend a year training for that race. Had it not been for the kindness of that man, it would have all been for nothing. Some people (most people?) will go way out of their way to help out in a jam.

That is a really nice story. Most people think the Austrians are very rude people, and just in general not good, but that is the farthest from the truth, and this story is an exact testament to it!

cooldad

MountainMonster wrote:

That is a really nice story. Most people think the Austrians are very rude people, and just in general not good, but that is the farthest from the truth, and this story is an exact testament to it!

Famous nice Austrian

MountainMonster

cooldad wrote:

MountainMonster wrote:

That is a really nice story. Most people think the Austrians are very rude people, and just in general not good, but that is the farthest from the truth, and this story is an exact testament to it!

Famous nice Austrian

That's a one off thing. Everyone is really nice here. He just gave everyone a bad rep which has held for decades because of what happened. A shame really.

Mccraque

Was on a very wet ride over Duncton way (think it was a Trailbreak) - managed to gash my tubeless on some flint beyond Stan's ability to repair it. So I stuck a boot in and an innertube and continued.

....only to get a massive double pinchflat - my mate also flatted in the exact same spot. And his missus had taken all his kit out of his rucksack...so we were down to one puncture kit in the pissing rain between the two of us.

A massive thanks to the guy who stopped and gave me a tube and wouldn't even take the soggy fiver I was waving at him as payment.