Numpties

de_sisti

essjaydee wrote:

On reflection over the weekend, I think I need to MTFU and start being more selfish
Thanks

Why would you want to be more selfish? Mate, there are enough ar.ehol.s around, you don't need to become one. :roll:

Ber Nard

It's not just cyclist who can be kind. A chap at work who has started cycling to the station and getting the train in got caught out by a puncture. Someone working in their front garden saw he had a problem and put his bike in his van and gave him a lift to the station.

Rob

Crispyapp

You ask if there ok and offer help. Can't even believe you have posted this. It's the un written rule, it's what you do. As others have said you never know what's round the corner.....

oldhairylegs

Driving home from work tonight, pitch dark on a country road in the middle of nowhere and saw a guy at the side of the road trying to sort out a puncture. Stopped, turned round and went back to help - ended up giving him a lift home as it was only a few miles out of my way.

If we can't rely on each other as fellow cyclists, then there's no hope for us.

What goes around comes around guys.....

diy

Got stranded myself a while back when my mate bust my spare tube being clever with a quick technique. He had actually ridden back to get a car. On the MTB I carry all sort of spares including first aid kit, emergency blanket, spare brake pads etc. On the road bike I just carry one spare tube a multi tool (and now a repair kit) and some levers. A lot of cyclists offered to help.

I think the duty is also on the stranded cyclist to only ask for help if they are truly stranded.

I would say the min to carry would be a presta adapter, a patch and a couple of levers. You are normally never that far from a petrol station and if you are careful you can probably use the machine to get air in your repair with an adapter. But realistically, a spare tube and a pump is not that much space taken.

amaferanga

Raffles wrote:

any other vote in the poll apart from stop and help would be from selfish p*icks whe deserve a collossal blowout 30miles from home and nobody to help them.

If someone's girlfriend is on their way to pick them up then I'd hardly call that stranded. What if I'm 30 miles from home at the time and give away my spare tube and then get a puncture, only there's no-one available to come and pick me up? In that case I'd feel pretty bloody stupid having given away my spare tube to someone who wasn't really stranded.

The selfish p*ick as you put it is the guy who goes out with no spares or tools and then expects a well-prepared cyclist to potentially put themselves in bother just to get them out of a situation they shouldn't have been in in the first place.

Seriously though, this is the UK, being stranded with a puncture is rarely going to be life or death. I dread to think how some of these cyclists would cope if they ever cycled anywhere remotely desolate. Perhaps I'm just a bit more resourceful than most and more self reliant. And if I need help I ask for it, I don't just expect every passing cyclist to come running to my rescue.

de_sisti

If I only had one spare tube I would not give it away. But I know I'd help someone (apparently) stranded by the roadside.

Ron Stuart

I have often wondered why there is such a high proportion of low life dross in the House of Commons but then again aren't they just reflecting our society as a whole :?:

For those that have already posted and those that may subsequently read this, it's all about doing the decent thing and setting an example. Unfortunately an approach that seems to be on the decline these days. :? me, me , me ,me, me.

amaferanga

Ron Stuart wrote:

I have often wondered why there is such a high proportion of low life dross in the House of Commons but then again aren't they just reflecting our society as a whole :?:

For those that have already posted and those that may subsequently read this, it's all about doing the decent thing and setting an example. Unfortunately an approach that seems to be on the decline these days. :? me, me , me ,me, me.

I know. All these selfish f@cking cyclists going out without even a spare tube. Me, me, me, me, me

tiredofwhiners

Ron Stuart wrote:

For those that have already posted and those that may subsequently read this, it's all about doing the decent thing and setting an example. Unfortunately an approach that seems to be on the decline these days. :? me, me , me ,me, me.

Thats very socialist of you - everyone else is responsible for looking after you, and personal responsibility is no longer needed. After all, its not as if you have any responsibility to look after myself is it ? You can just moan when others who are better prepared and considerate don't jump in and save you from my own stupidity.

Time to grow up and take the minimum of care for yourself, before expecting others to save you from your own stupidity. After all, if we all followed your lead, none of us would have any spares to help out would we

But as I said earlier, I'd stop and help. I might ask you if you were a tw@t for coming out with no thought of spares.

de_sisti

FTFY

I might ask you if you were a tw@t for coming out with a pump the size of a pencil that made terrible
job of pumping up your flat tyre and you're having to use my zefal hpx.

essjaydee

I did feel a bit of an old school teacher lecturing his pupil, as I went on about not leaving the house unless I had at least a minimum of spares to deal with minor mechanicals and punctures, and I couldn't believe he had done this...doh :!:

Nugget was a MTB'r as well and went on to explain that he wouldn't dare go out on the MTB unless he had a load of spares with him! Didn't seem to accept there would be any issues on a road bike

Some interesting posts

I agree with 'amaferanga' on this;

The selfish p*ick as you put it is the guy who goes out with no spares or tools and then expects a well-prepared cyclist to potentially put themselves in bother just to get them out of a situation they shouldn't have been in in the first place.

If your not prepared to help yourself, why should you expect others to help you?

Ron Stuart

amaferanga wrote:

Ron Stuart wrote:

I have often wondered why there is such a high proportion of low life dross in the House of Commons but then again aren't they just reflecting our society as a whole :?:

For those that have already posted and those that may subsequently read this, it's all about doing the decent thing and setting an example. Unfortunately an approach that seems to be on the decline these days. :? me, me , me ,me, me.

I know. All these selfish f@cking cyclists going out without even a spare tube. Me, me, me, me, me

If you stop (as reported not always the case) and you find the stranded cyclist isn't properly prepared with spares then you can demonstrate and suggest what is needed in the form of spare kit. You never know he/she may in the future be able to return the favor to an another rider. If you are concerned about handing over a spare tube then offer a few stick on patches which are also a good idea to take along, then politely educate them as what to take with them.
It is also not just spares that maybe lacking either with some, we have all struggled sometimes with tyres that are difficult to get off/on aided to by frozen fingers. Not all riders are that strong because of age or minor disability :!:

Some riders are maybe just new to it and haven't had the advice yet.

I find that when I see someone at the side of the road with an issue most times they just wave me on saying their fine thanks.
You know to help someone out can actually be quite a satisfying experience, especially when it is appreciated.

Joeblack

De Sisti wrote:

essjaydee wrote:

On reflection over the weekend, I think I need to MTFU and start being more selfish
Thanks

Why would you want to be more selfish? Mate, there are enough ar.ehol.s around, you don't need to become one. :roll:

This,

I really don't understand how riding on past someone on the side of the road is classed as "Manning the f#%k up"

Ron Stuart

tiredofwhiners wrote:

Ron Stuart wrote:

For those that have already posted and those that may subsequently read this, it's all about doing the decent thing and setting an example. Unfortunately an approach that seems to be on the decline these days. :? me, me , me ,me, me.

Thats very socialist of you - everyone else is responsible for looking after you, and personal responsibility is no longer needed. After all, its not as if you have any responsibility to look after myself is it ? You can just moan when others who are better prepared and considerate don't jump in and save you from my own stupidity.

Time to grow up and take the minimum of care for yourself, before expecting others to save you from your own stupidity. After all, if we all followed your lead, none of us would have any spares to help out would we

But as I said earlier, I'd stop and help. I might ask you if you were a tw@t for coming out with no thought of spares.

You need to educate yourself on the meaning of being a socialist here's a start..... A human being who believes that the most harmonious state of affairs would be for all to get a fair shot at financial success..... Maybe not the best choice here :!:

I would prefer in the context of the OP to attribute more this definition below pasted in your my post.... Social...
pertaining to, devoted to, or characterized by friendly companionship or relations: a social club. 2. seeking or enjoying the companionship of others; friendly;[/i]

or even Sociable: inclined by nature to companionship with others of the same species : social. 2. a : inclined to seek or enjoy companionship.
I would gladly settle for that

Ron Stuart

essjaydee wrote:

I did feel a bit of an old school teacher lecturing his pupil, as I went on about not leaving the house unless I had at least a minimum of spares to deal with minor mechanicals and punctures, and I couldn't believe he had done this...doh :!:

Nugget was a MTB'r as well and went on to explain that he wouldn't dare go out on the MTB unless he had a load of spares with him! Didn't seem to accept there would be any issues on a road bike

Some interesting posts

I agree with 'amaferanga' on this;

The selfish p*ick as you put it is the guy who goes out with no spares or tools and then expects a well-prepared cyclist to potentially put themselves in bother just to get them out of a situation they shouldn't have been in in the first place.

If your not prepared to help yourself, why should you expect others to help you?

Did it occur to you that someone at the side of the road may have a problem that spares won't cure :?:

Example: Do you know the signs of a stroke :?: if not this may help... http://www.nhs.uk/actfast/Pages/know-the-signs.aspx

There is a awful level of generalisation running all through this thread, someone could be just ill and not be able to get a signal on their network. They may well be anything other than selfish and maybe just got a problem they can't deal with at the time.

amaferanga

I don't think anyone on this thread has said they don't ask if a cyclist stood by the side of the road is ok or that if they saw someone who clearly looked distressed they wouldn't help.

My point is that I won't put myself in bother to help a cyclist who is actually fine apart from having to wait for someone to come pick them up. Keep it in perspective.

Ron Stuart

amaferanga wrote:

I don't think anyone on this thread has said they don't ask if a cyclist stood by the side of the road is ok or that if they saw someone who clearly looked distressed they wouldn't help.

My point is that I won't put myself in bother to help a cyclist who is actually fine apart from having to wait for someone to come pick them up. Keep it in perspective.

A much better post, thanks.

amaferanga

Ron Stuart wrote:

amaferanga wrote:

I don't think anyone on this thread has said they don't ask if a cyclist stood by the side of the road is ok or that if they saw someone who clearly looked distressed they wouldn't help.

My point is that I won't put myself in bother to help a cyclist who is actually fine apart from having to wait for someone to come pick them up. Keep it in perspective.

A much better post, thanks.

Like most folk I'm not ignorant and I will help people, cyclist or otherwise, if they're in trouble. And as someone above said, most of the time when you ask if a 'stranded' cyclist is ok they say they're fine anyway and you can go on your way without wondering if you should have helped or done something.

BigLights

I have always been taught, and believe, and indeed am teaching my sprog, that it is entirely irrelevant what 'others' do. Taking the moral highground is always, always the right route as what goes around comes around (Karma...I grew up in Asia). Therefore, irrespective of a cyclists' circumstances I'd be more than happy to give away a spare inner tube or stop and help. Or stand for a pregrant woman on a tube. Or not littering, even if others do. Etc. It's what separates a gentleman from a spiv. And there are enough spivs as it is.

Raffles

What annoys me is the people who are :

"well id help, but if X happened, or the rider implied Y was the case or if eastenders was on telly in another 20mins , well id just be on my way and id have nothing on my mind eating away at me". what a bag of cr@p :roll: if somebody needs help, it is decent people who offer it...........no excuses, no BS and no turning a selfish blind eye needed.

amaferanga

Raffles wrote:

What annoys me is the people who are :

"well id help, but if X happened, or the rider implied Y was the case or if eastenders was on telly in another 20mins , well id just be on my way and id have nothing on my mind eating away at me". what a bag of cr@p :roll: if somebody needs help, it is decent people who offer it...........no excuses, no BS and no turning a selfish blind eye needed.

Got a puncture. Nip over to Sheffield with a spare tube for me then would you. Thanks ever so much.

drlodge

amaferanga wrote:

I'd have asked him if he was ok as I always do with cyclists who look to be in trouble. But if he went out without any spares at all then I'd not give him mine. Not a spare tube anyway, maybe a patch and some glue.

He wasn't exactly stranded if his girlfriend was coming to get him. He'd probably have got so much earache from her that he'd have made sure he had some spares and tools next time. I'd certainly not give away my spare tube mid-ride unless the other cyclist was in real trouble and really was stranded.

^--- This. I would offer to help, as I do ask as I cycle by, but I would not give them my spare tube. Glue, patches and some help to repair is another matter. And if they can get a lift home, then they're not stranded. If they are stranded then they can use my phone to call a taxi or friend to pick them up. Different if its a club run, as I would offer my tube if someone needed it then, as there are plenty of people to help one another.

Now if they're blonde, female and fit then I might well do almost anything :P

mamba80

just about to write exactly that, Driodge, spot on.

bianchimoon

was at my doctors last year and on the way in saw an old guy in his 70's fixing a puncture, after my appointment he was still outside trying to fix it, it seems he'd punctured two tubes, he lived about 5 miles away, so offered to take him home. Turns out he was 'still' a serious cyclist with Ferryhill wheelers, ridden in the army team and trailed for a European team in his 20's, said he still averaged 20mph on club rides, even though he'd been through cancer treatment recently. Really interesting character. Just as i got him home, puncture light came on in my car. He didn't offer to fix it tho

Raffles

amaferanga wrote:

Raffles wrote:

What annoys me is the people who are :

"well id help, but if X happened, or the rider implied Y was the case or if eastenders was on telly in another 20mins , well id just be on my way and id have nothing on my mind eating away at me". what a bag of cr@p :roll: if somebody needs help, it is decent people who offer it...........no excuses, no BS and no turning a selfish blind eye needed.

Got a puncture. Nip over to Sheffield with a spare tube for me then would you. Thanks ever so much.

so quick off the mark and ultra defensive, i think when posters refer to selfish p*ricks that you automatically think its you they are referring to :roll: and dont that just smack of a guilty conscience.

simon_masterson

This is an inbred bastard lovechild of our favourite old chestnut: the one about waving to other cyclists.

As in, cycling has been an enjoyable, sociable leisure pursuit for millions for decades longer than it has been the hobby of the young (and not so young) things who watch the Tour and immediately buy a racing bike on their solemn quest to become the next Cavendish/Contador/etc; putting on the serious face and all. The cycling fraternity has been here longer than any of us, and none of us would want to be ridden past if we'd come a cropper...

Personally I think showing concern means a great deal more than the donation of puncture repair kits or the loan of tools, and I personally would feel under no compulsion to give up anything; though I would happily hand over an inner tube to someone genuinely in need (and in all honesty I'd feel pretty stupid myself if I were in the other seat, having gone out without). Aside from the fact that you may not know what that person has done to their bike or themselves, if they've killed a BB/pedal/crank/wheel axle/etc etc etc there won't be much you can do anyway... (unless you have a particularly roomy seatpost wedge!)

mamba80

Raffles wrote:

amaferanga wrote:

Raffles wrote:

What annoys me is the people who are :

"well id help, but if X happened, or the rider implied Y was the case or if eastenders was on telly in another 20mins , well id just be on my way and id have nothing on my mind eating away at me". what a bag of cr@p :roll: if somebody needs help, it is decent people who offer it...........no excuses, no BS and no turning a selfish blind eye needed.

Got a puncture. Nip over to Sheffield with a spare tube for me then would you. Thanks ever so much.

so quick off the mark and ultra defensive, i think when posters refer to selfish p*ricks that you automatically think its you they are referring to :roll: and dont that just smack of a guilty conscience.

I think you r being over the top here, no one has said they wouldnt help, its the level of help that seems to differ and what one person would do another wouldnt - you may lend them your bike, rain jacket or your last tube - so they can get home safe and dry...but thats your decision.

the biggest issue i see is that so few people have any mechanical knowledge at all and struggle to even remove a wheel, let alone fix a puncture.
Perhaps a long walk home is what they need to realise they should learn? or r you suggesting i give them a basic mechanics course in the freezing rain as well :roll:

bigpikle

I came across a mountain biker walking his bike through our town one Sunday late morning, on my way back from a club ride. He had a puncture and was about 20 miles from home and didnt have so much as a tyre lever with him and locking QR's which he didnt bring the key for :roll: :roll: and NOBODY he could call for assistance!

I offered help but being on a road bike I was a little limited in what I could do. He was wondering around hoping to find a bike shop he could get help from, which considering we are a little market town in the middle of nowhere was a bit of a chance. Luckily I was able to point him to the LBS that miraculously does open on a Sunday morning.

I really couldnt believe people could be so short sighted. He had a decent bike, all the gear and planned a long ride etc so wasnt just some kid heading to the shops :shock:

MountainMonster

amaferanga wrote:

Raffles wrote:

What annoys me is the people who are :

"well id help, but if X happened, or the rider implied Y was the case or if eastenders was on telly in another 20mins , well id just be on my way and id have nothing on my mind eating away at me". what a bag of cr@p :roll: if somebody needs help, it is decent people who offer it...........no excuses, no BS and no turning a selfish blind eye needed.

Got a puncture. Nip over to Sheffield with a spare tube for me then would you. Thanks ever so much.

That is possibly the worst reply in here. Why are you so defensive? Do you feel bad for not helping someone out when it would very tinily inconvenienced you?

I wouldn't go cycling a large distance for someone, unless it was a true buddy of mine, but I always keep spares in my saddle bag for when I need it, or when I come across someone who does. This includes SRAM powerlinks as well. For the sake of 2 or 3 pound outlay I can sleep knowing I did something good, and I wasn't just some arse because I didn't want to donate a tube to a rider with a puncture and nothing else. At the end of the day, be it through poor planning or through not knowing what is needed, this rider is still sitting on the side of the road looking a tit. I don't think I could knowingly blank someone and not offer a helping hand just to save myself a pound or 2, and also, how often does this happen?