When should you help out a fellow rider?

[fanievb]

If you don't have your own tools/spares I won't help you

[seanrcb]

I did my first race recently (25km Mtunzini race) just shortly after the start about 2km in I stooped to help a cyclist with a flat - he was running tubeless had no bomb or pump WTF how can you go ride without either one - I had a pump and I pumped my moer off to get some sort of pressure back into tyre.

I will always try to help where i can but some okes need to come prepared

[PoiZoNouZ]

Mate and I were doing Breedts on Saturday, at around the 15km we come across a dude on an Anthem sitting patiently. We offer help, he accepts, has a front puncture. We find it after a search, try plug it with my kit, no luck. Ask him if he has sealent in there, he says yes, checks every 3 months. I spin the tyre, there is not a drop in there.

 

Dude had 1 bomb, no tools, no pump. We pump his tyre, give him a bomb, he says thanks and off he goes. no offer to take our numbers, nothing. You could see the bike has not been given care for a while...

[TALUS]

I have to ask....what the tampon is for?  The only thing I can think of is a size mini for a bleeding nose.   The thought of someone finishing a race with a tampon up his nose does make me giggle though......

  

Any large open wound?

I carry 2 panty liners (? correct term). Nicely packed wound dressings.

[SpecialK]

I probably would not have finished day 3 of the sani2c if I didn't have 2 good samaritans who stopped. My partner, who is the technically competent one, had to pull out after coming down with food poisoning at the end of the second day. I fly solo for the day. About 20km in, my rear derailleur cable snapped, so I was walking up all the hills and cycling down them. Luckily there was enough slack on the cable that the two gentlemen who helped were able to give me 6 gears on my cassette, and I was able to finish.

So... The two riders in the green and white Impact kit - I owe you big time!! If you read this, please let me know who you are

I will be going to a basic bike mechanics course now

[Guest notmyname]

Helped a bloke at breedts on Saturday. He'd flatted and duffed the only bomb he had. We tried to plug to hole but because it was apparent he does zero maintenance on the bike there was no stans left to seal that little hole the plug couldn't. We finally managed to slow the puncture down and sent him home with one of my bombs. The gent was thankful but made absolutely no attempt to return the favour. He could have taken a number or offered to leave R20 on our vehicle at the farm. So from now on I'll offer my help and my tools but you need your own spares.

[gummibear]

Day 2 of Sani was going well we were riding comfortably getting ready for the long climb out of the valley. Next thing we come across a guy with a snapped derailleur hanger. I carry a small bike shop worth of spares including an emergency / universal derailleur hanger. So I stop and give it to the guy explain to him that instructions are on the packaging. He says thanks but he doesn't have an allen key! We ask were his partner is he says no his partner is riding ahead and has not seen him in a long time.

 

So I spend 20min helping him get some sort of usable gears. In the meantime I send my partner ahead as I am the stronger rider.

 

Now no good dead goes unpunished. The guy I have been helping does say thanks but doesn't even ask my name or take my race number in case he wanted to buy me a drink to say thanks. I then start racing to catch up to my partner i don't drink or eat enough and bonk badly on Nandos hill, .

 

Overall it just left a bad taste in my mouth and really ruined day 2 for me.

 

So in the future what should I do? Ignore everyone with a problem in a ride as they are likely to be unorganised, unprepared and ungrateful. Stop and offer any spares i have but not give up my time. Or do exactly the same and give spares and time in the hope that that person will pay it forward in the future?

Good that you helped him out

 

Hope he gets to read your post.

 

I have lost track of tubes and bombs i have given out but all i want in return is a smile and a thanks.

[gummibear]

Cable ties

Ductape

Chain lube

Piece of "blou draad"

Extra cleat bolts

Extra valve

Small patch of tube/rubber

Hand pump

Recovery gel

Antihistamine tablets

Bandage/plaster

Staaldruppels

Blitz Stick glue

Surgical latex gloves

WD40

Tampon (or three)

Leatherman multitool

 

.....and 3L fluid bladder.....and capacity to carry an extra 6kgs on your bike.

Were you in the Army

 

I get some strange looks when i throw the contents out my bag and guys see that.Fastest way to seal of a big hole.

[mazambaan]

But hats off to the doctors that stop and tend to the wounded. At the adventure I hear that maybe two doctors stopped with the guy who went off the bridge and stayed with him, (probably for an hour at least) until he was carted off (by good old thump and bump road ambulance - don't expect Dakar type helivac at Sani).

 

Well done Doc (s).

[Shebeen]

This is one of those religious questions in cycling.

 

I've helped plenty of people, and have received help too before - good karma is a brilliant investment. Have also taken my offer of a tube back from a guy who had zero tools and a crap attitude. He said he never carries spares or tools because someone will always help him. It's mtb folks, be prepared.

[TALUS]

If you don't have your own tools/spares I won't help you

I have evolved to the same opinion after helping and ending up walking home and needing the spares that I gave away. The exception is if you used up your chainlinks, bombs or plugs.

[ricochet_rabbit]

Glad you said this. Brought a couple a few months ago (because I got caught out 11km from home with a broken chain and had to wait for my wife to fetch me), but have still not put them in my camelbak.

Thanks for the reminder.

Use some electrical tape and tape a set or two to one of your cables (in front of your handle bars). Then they are always there when you need them.

[blondeonabike]

A few months a go I had a puncture on my road bike.  I was nearly done changing the tube when a fellow cyclist stopped to ask to help.  He kept me company while reinflated my new tube. Just as I was about to put my wheel back on the new tube burst.  I had overlooked a small piece of glass in my tyre. (I was sure I had got all the glass out) Anyway I needed a new tube and was so glad he was there.    I drove to his house the next day to replace his tube.  Glad there are some good samaritans out there!

[vinylguy]

il only help if they don't know how to use their own tools and spares they carry themselves... harsh but you should be prepared!!

[BarHugger]

Were you in the Army

 

I get some strange looks when i throw the contents out my bag and guys see that.Fastest way to seal of a big hole.

 

Yip.......undercover McGuyver amongst cycling buddies.

[Patchelicious]

I often help people, especially with tubes, bombs and bomb adapters. I however always make sure to tell them that it's on condition that they stop and help the next person they see that's needs help. Pay it forward!