A Thank You to the Cycling Community
Discussion
Just a quick note on the generosity of the cycling community. Until yesterday, I had only experienced the exchange of pleasantries on a ride which, whilst gratifying, is not the basis of the cycling community as I subsequently found out.
I set out yesterday with the intention of doing a 60 miler round the Peaks. Around 38 miles into my trip, I suffered a slow puncture on a climb which wasn't the end of the world (had spare tube, CO2, pump etc). Many passers-by asked me if I was okay, very reassuring as by the end I was reasonably cold. I continue a mile on, when I hear a strange rubbing noise followed by my second inner tube exploding. It was a heart sinking moment, out of spare tubes, 20 miles from home and fearing the worse. I start my trek to the nearest station (around 6 miles), only to be stopped by a group of 3 cyclists who insisted on me having one of their spare tubes.
I duly accept their offer after stupidly trying to refuse it. So I fix the second puncture and limp back to Sheffield, desperately trying to avoid anything that could possibly cause a puncture. Finally made it home after being out for five and half hours, managing my longest ride (62 miles) whilst suffering my first ever punctures. Definitely mixed emotions.
So, just to say thank you to the very generous man who saved me by donating an inner tube. If you read this, I owe you a pint or three.
I set out yesterday with the intention of doing a 60 miler round the Peaks. Around 38 miles into my trip, I suffered a slow puncture on a climb which wasn't the end of the world (had spare tube, CO2, pump etc). Many passers-by asked me if I was okay, very reassuring as by the end I was reasonably cold. I continue a mile on, when I hear a strange rubbing noise followed by my second inner tube exploding. It was a heart sinking moment, out of spare tubes, 20 miles from home and fearing the worse. I start my trek to the nearest station (around 6 miles), only to be stopped by a group of 3 cyclists who insisted on me having one of their spare tubes.
I duly accept their offer after stupidly trying to refuse it. So I fix the second puncture and limp back to Sheffield, desperately trying to avoid anything that could possibly cause a puncture. Finally made it home after being out for five and half hours, managing my longest ride (62 miles) whilst suffering my first ever punctures. Definitely mixed emotions.
So, just to say thank you to the very generous man who saved me by donating an inner tube. If you read this, I owe you a pint or three.
billy1the1kid said:
Just a quick note on the generosity of the cycling community. Until yesterday, I had only experienced the exchange of pleasantries on a ride which, whilst gratifying, is not the basis of the cycling community as I subsequently found out.
I set out yesterday with the intention of doing a 60 miler round the Peaks. Around 38 miles into my trip, I suffered a slow puncture on a climb which wasn't the end of the world (had spare tube, CO2, pump etc). Many passers-by asked me if I was okay, very reassuring as by the end I was reasonably cold. I continue a mile on, when I hear a strange rubbing noise followed by my second inner tube exploding. It was a heart sinking moment, out of spare tubes, 20 miles from home and fearing the worse. I start my trek to the nearest station (around 6 miles), only to be stopped by a group of 3 cyclists who insisted on me having one of their spare tubes.
I duly accept their offer after stupidly trying to refuse it. So I fix the second puncture and limp back to Sheffield, desperately trying to avoid anything that could possibly cause a puncture. Finally made it home after being out for five and half hours, managing my longest ride (62 miles) whilst suffering my first ever punctures. Definitely mixed emotions.
So, just to say thank you to the very generous man who saved me by donating an inner tube. If you read this, I owe you a pint or three.
Cyclists are generally decent people, despite the rather negative emotions sometimes written about on PH. I think the thanks he would want is that you continue to carry spares and are willing to donate to any unlucky people you might encounter. The cycling community is usually quite helpful to one another.I set out yesterday with the intention of doing a 60 miler round the Peaks. Around 38 miles into my trip, I suffered a slow puncture on a climb which wasn't the end of the world (had spare tube, CO2, pump etc). Many passers-by asked me if I was okay, very reassuring as by the end I was reasonably cold. I continue a mile on, when I hear a strange rubbing noise followed by my second inner tube exploding. It was a heart sinking moment, out of spare tubes, 20 miles from home and fearing the worse. I start my trek to the nearest station (around 6 miles), only to be stopped by a group of 3 cyclists who insisted on me having one of their spare tubes.
I duly accept their offer after stupidly trying to refuse it. So I fix the second puncture and limp back to Sheffield, desperately trying to avoid anything that could possibly cause a puncture. Finally made it home after being out for five and half hours, managing my longest ride (62 miles) whilst suffering my first ever punctures. Definitely mixed emotions.
So, just to say thank you to the very generous man who saved me by donating an inner tube. If you read this, I owe you a pint or three.
I had a similar rescue a few weeks ago, late on a sunday.
Everywhere shut.
Flat phone battery.
About 20 miles from home...
Changed my puncture and discovered my spare was damaged.
After about 20 minutes of trying to come up with a plan I started walking, but soon flagged down a passing cyclist who was more than happy to donate a tube and refused to take anything for it.
I now carry two tubes...
Everywhere shut.
Flat phone battery.
About 20 miles from home...
Changed my puncture and discovered my spare was damaged.
After about 20 minutes of trying to come up with a plan I started walking, but soon flagged down a passing cyclist who was more than happy to donate a tube and refused to take anything for it.
I now carry two tubes...
I'm proud to say, I've (and we've when in a group) have stopped to help fellow cyclists a few times now.
Touch wood, I've not needed the return favor yet, but would hope help was offered if it was needed.
One notable one in the summer was whilst out in a group there was a chap walking his bike towards us. We duly give a "need any help" and receive back a "na mate, I'm just knackered"
Touch wood, I've not needed the return favor yet, but would hope help was offered if it was needed.
One notable one in the summer was whilst out in a group there was a chap walking his bike towards us. We duly give a "need any help" and receive back a "na mate, I'm just knackered"
I've been the donor several times, recipient once.
Trust me - the relief of belp 35 miles from home in a phone blackspot is worth a lot of donated tubes! N my case i had a cut tyre, and had used both spare tubes and all my patches. 5 punctures in 1 rise is soul destroying, but i was saved by a lovely triathlete who even rode with me to a town with a oub so i could cAll the cavalry
Trust me - the relief of belp 35 miles from home in a phone blackspot is worth a lot of donated tubes! N my case i had a cut tyre, and had used both spare tubes and all my patches. 5 punctures in 1 rise is soul destroying, but i was saved by a lovely triathlete who even rode with me to a town with a oub so i could cAll the cavalry
Every time I pass anyone with their bike upside-down, or in apparent difficulty I simply slow right down and ask "are things under control?"
Usually the answer is yes, and the stranded cyclist will wave you on your way. I've got a spare tube and a 'traditional' repair kit, along with a pump and multi-tool with which to offer assistance, and I stop to offer aid because I'd really appreciate it if I was the one stuck at the roadside, kind of a "Pay it Forward" spirit.
The most extreme assistance I have rendered was to a large young chap, pushing his bike along in what might as well have been the middle of nowhere. Cars passing were virtually brushing this lad's elbow, and his 70's/80's vintage 6 speed had shredded what looked like it's original rear tyre. I was in the car, with no bike spares to hand, and I couldn't live with myself if I read later that the lad got hit by a car or some s
t like that, so I lobbed the bike in the boot of the car (fortunately it's a Mondeo, so plenty big enough) and gave him a lift the 5 miles or so to his house, and advised him not to rely on 30-40 year old rubber in future. I don't do it to receive thanks, or even payment, I just hope that it puts the person I help into a frame of mind where they'll do the same for someone else one day.
Usually the answer is yes, and the stranded cyclist will wave you on your way. I've got a spare tube and a 'traditional' repair kit, along with a pump and multi-tool with which to offer assistance, and I stop to offer aid because I'd really appreciate it if I was the one stuck at the roadside, kind of a "Pay it Forward" spirit.
The most extreme assistance I have rendered was to a large young chap, pushing his bike along in what might as well have been the middle of nowhere. Cars passing were virtually brushing this lad's elbow, and his 70's/80's vintage 6 speed had shredded what looked like it's original rear tyre. I was in the car, with no bike spares to hand, and I couldn't live with myself if I read later that the lad got hit by a car or some s
t like that, so I lobbed the bike in the boot of the car (fortunately it's a Mondeo, so plenty big enough) and gave him a lift the 5 miles or so to his house, and advised him not to rely on 30-40 year old rubber in future. I don't do it to receive thanks, or even payment, I just hope that it puts the person I help into a frame of mind where they'll do the same for someone else one day.yellowjack said:
Every time I pass anyone with their bike upside-down, or in apparent difficulty I simply slow right down and ask "are things under control?"
Usually the answer is yes, and the stranded cyclist will wave you on your way. I've got a spare tube and a 'traditional' repair kit, along with a pump and multi-tool with which to offer assistance, and I stop to offer aid because I'd really appreciate it if I was the one stuck at the roadside, kind of a "Pay it Forward" spirit.
The most extreme assistance I have rendered was to a large young chap, pushing his bike along in what might as well have been the middle of nowhere. Cars passing were virtually brushing this lad's elbow, and his 70's/80's vintage 6 speed had shredded what looked like it's original rear tyre. I was in the car, with no bike spares to hand, and I couldn't live with myself if I read later that the lad got hit by a car or some st like that, so I lobbed the bike in the boot of the car (fortunately it's a Mondeo, so plenty big enough) and gave him a lift the 5 miles or so to his house, and advised him not to rely on 30-40 year old rubber in future. I don't do it to receive thanks, or even payment, I just hope that it puts the person I help into a frame of mind where they'll do the same for someone else one day.
30-odd years ago, I did the same as you but not yet being old enough to drive, I had to improvise a bit. My mate, who had shredded his tyre, had to sit backwards on my banana-seated bike (similar to a Chopper), and hold his wrecked bike as I pedalled us home.Usually the answer is yes, and the stranded cyclist will wave you on your way. I've got a spare tube and a 'traditional' repair kit, along with a pump and multi-tool with which to offer assistance, and I stop to offer aid because I'd really appreciate it if I was the one stuck at the roadside, kind of a "Pay it Forward" spirit.
The most extreme assistance I have rendered was to a large young chap, pushing his bike along in what might as well have been the middle of nowhere. Cars passing were virtually brushing this lad's elbow, and his 70's/80's vintage 6 speed had shredded what looked like it's original rear tyre. I was in the car, with no bike spares to hand, and I couldn't live with myself if I read later that the lad got hit by a car or some s
t like that, so I lobbed the bike in the boot of the car (fortunately it's a Mondeo, so plenty big enough) and gave him a lift the 5 miles or so to his house, and advised him not to rely on 30-40 year old rubber in future. I don't do it to receive thanks, or even payment, I just hope that it puts the person I help into a frame of mind where they'll do the same for someone else one day.If only I had that sort of energy these days. I took him some 5+ miles.
I had also experienced both side of the coin, a flat in the dark 3 weeks ago resulted in 4 commuters stopping and offering between them repair kits, spare tubes, even an offer to change the tube, one lad wanted to discuss my bike once he realised everything was under control.
Two weeks ago after falling off, two chaps I had passed 4-5kms earlier passed me very obviously sat on my arse checking myself and bike over.
I have stopped for a few cyclists who are normally very grateful for the thought.
I now always carry 10 instant patches and two tubes. If I was doing a a long ride I may even consider a spare tyre!
Two weeks ago after falling off, two chaps I had passed 4-5kms earlier passed me very obviously sat on my arse checking myself and bike over.
I have stopped for a few cyclists who are normally very grateful for the thought.
I now always carry 10 instant patches and two tubes. If I was doing a a long ride I may even consider a spare tyre!
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