FrikkieMeyer87 Posted July 31, 2017 Posted July 31, 2017 Scenario This weekend, I rode my very first mountain bike race ever. It's also the longest distance I have ever ridden, having only started cycling in April this year. As a result of my noobism, I was in the last group to start for the day, which kicked off at 10h35. Roughly 5km into the race, I spot two cyclists on the side of the road with a flat tire. It's obvious from their expressions that they do not have the means to repair this flat, and asking them confirmed this. Being the type of person I am, i.e. knowing that I had the means to assist, I stopped and helped them, which due to some unforseen complications took a solid chunk out of my race time resulting in me finishing with them pretty much last of our group. Seeing as the object of me entering the race was merely to partake in an official event and have fun while doing so, I wasn't too phased about the delay. Question I have been the object of much ridicule within our MTB chat group since then, with my riding mates being of the opinion that I should have left these riders for the sweepers (assuming that these were in place). So my question is this: If you find riders in these situations, is the common practice to just leave them there to fend for themselves, or do you help where you can? No one else stopped which leads me to believe that it's perhaps not the way to do things, albeit in stark conflict with my first instincts?
eddy Posted July 31, 2017 Posted July 31, 2017 Perhaps you need to change your heading to specify that you are taking about a in race. In a race, I would not stop but on a normal ride, or even when driving past a cyclist in trouble I would offer help if I had tools or a pump with me.
Grease_Monkey Posted July 31, 2017 Posted July 31, 2017 If you want to save 500 grams by not carrying spares in a race, then be prepared to suffer the consequences. If it was a weekend ride on the trails, then it's a different story - I would stop and help. But my opinion is that all riders should carry spares - expecting other to stop for you and give you their spares is ridiculous. If anyone actually believes that there is an actual advantage to saving 500 grams by not carrying spares on a training ride they are seriously delusional, if anything the extra weight is going to help you get fitter haha. My wife never rides alone (only ever with me - she kinda just tags along on the odd occassion to keep me happy), but even so - both of us have 2 bombs, plugs, tyre boots, spare tube, tyre levers, multi-tool with chain breaker, mushroom plug, spare valve cores, and spare quick links. I also carry a small pump. All of this (except the pump) fits in my swat cage, and if I want I can go riding without a camelbak - lots and lots of ways to fit spares to your bike these days....
Letum911 Posted July 31, 2017 Posted July 31, 2017 Yes I have stopped and will do so again. I am not a podium contender so to waste 10 mins is not the end of the world for me. On a social ride I'll stop and help with what I can for as long as needed. On a race, I have stopped next to many people with punctured tubes, so I hand them a few patches and a bottle of patching solution (think this cost me under R10.00) and leave. Surely even the technically challenged can patch a tube? A small expense, which will not effect me financially, however it can change the outcome of the ride and the whole day for someone.
Escapee.. Posted July 31, 2017 Posted July 31, 2017 Scenario This weekend, I rode my very first mountain bike race ever. It's also the longest distance I have ever ridden, having only started cycling in April this year. As a result of my noobism, I was in the last group to start for the day, which kicked off at 10h35. Roughly 5km into the race, I spot two cyclists on the side of the road with a flat tire. It's obvious from their expressions that they do not have the means to repair this flat, and asking them confirmed this. Being the type of person I am, i.e. knowing that I had the means to assist, I stopped and helped them, which due to some unforseen complications took a solid chunk out of my race time resulting in me finishing with them pretty much last of our group. Seeing as the object of me entering the race was merely to partake in an official event and have fun while doing so, I wasn't too phased about the delay. Question I have been the object of much ridicule within our MTB chat group since then, with my riding mates being of the opinion that I should have left these riders for the sweepers (assuming that these were in place). So my question is this: If you find riders in these situations, is the common practice to just leave them there to fend for themselves, or do you help where you can? No one else stopped which leads me to believe that it's perhaps not the way to do things, albeit in stark conflict with my first instincts? You answered it
fanievb Posted July 31, 2017 Posted July 31, 2017 simple, if they don't have their own spares I ride past, 'cause they would not have stopped for me, irrespective of race or funride or training ride conditions.if they have their own spares but are not tech savvy, I'll gladly stop and assist, however if I have a specific goal for a race I'm unlikely to stop if stopping would mess with my goal, during a training ride i'll stop and help (if they have spares)
Long Wheel Base Posted July 31, 2017 Posted July 31, 2017 Add different situations like race vs training. Race, sorry bud but unless you have crashed or need medical assistance you are on your own. Training, I will always slow/stop and ask if all is ok. Have been assisted before and have returned the favour as well.
lechatnoir Posted July 31, 2017 Posted July 31, 2017 A few years ago on the One Tonner, I passed a rider in the last section after crossing of the N1 back to Stellies. He's leaning on his bike as if it's his only hope of not falling over. I say: "hey man! you OK?" his reply: "please help me". he sounded near death. Stopped and called the race emergency #, and stayed with him. Missed the cut-off and paramedics called me later to say he'd been put on an IV but was OK.
FrikkieMeyer87 Posted July 31, 2017 Author Posted July 31, 2017 With these riders being in the last group for the day, I assumed that their inability to save themselves was not as result of leaving gear at home to save weight as much as it was a case of genuinely not having a clue how to go about patching a tube or fixing a tubeless: Something those of us who used to cycle to school perhaps take for granted? Something that reinforced this was the fact that one rider had 2x CO2 bombs yet no means of using it, i.e. no CO2 inflator, and yes while it may be argued that you should not be doing a race in a mountain if you don't know how to get yourself out of a sticky situation, the reality is that regardless of how many times you convey that message, somewhere, somehow, someone will miss it and find themselves in a bind.
madbradd Posted July 31, 2017 Posted July 31, 2017 Perhaps you need to change your heading to specify that you are taking about a in race. In a race, I would not stop but on a normal ride, or even when driving past a cyclist in trouble I would offer help if I had tools or a pump with me. Agree with this. Depends on the situation. Also, will help until I'm it's fixed or I can see that I can't help anymore. BUT if it's clear that the failure was due to something that should have been maintained, then I'll leave (ie if he has a puncture but you can see that the tyre should have been replaced some time ago, or all the sealant has has been dry for ages, or if the chain broke but is clearly in need of lube. These type of things. I'm not going to waste my time fixing someones preventable problem. I'm also not helping someone fix a MTB tube - they should have been riding tubeless. This said I've given someone R100 note to put in their tyre as a boot when they had a sidewall cut and needed to put a tube in.
FrikkieMeyer87 Posted July 31, 2017 Author Posted July 31, 2017 Add different situations like race vs training. Race, sorry bud but unless you have crashed or need medical assistance you are on your own. Training, I will always slow/stop and ask if all is ok. Have been assisted before and have returned the favour as well. Adding those adds a degree of obviousness and/or easy way out in the line of questions, as by default I would expect every rider to stop and help if they're just out on a fun/training ride Races are a different thing, and you might find that those chasing podium positions won't stop for anything short of entrails stretched between trees, physically blocking the way forward
eddy Posted July 31, 2017 Posted July 31, 2017 This said I've given someone R100 note to put in their tyre as a boot when they had a sidewall cut and needed to put a tube in. What did she look like ???????
Long Wheel Base Posted July 31, 2017 Posted July 31, 2017 This said I've given someone R100 note to put in their G-STRING. What did she look like ???????
ChrisF Posted July 31, 2017 Posted July 31, 2017 Maybe different as I am NOT racing for a podium, heck I am riding in the shorter distances, stopping to take pics .... ENJOYING the "fun" in the "fun-ride". so for me it is a no-brainer to stop and help
Mamil Posted July 31, 2017 Posted July 31, 2017 As a mid pack sometimes lower 40 percent rider I have stopped to help and been helped several times in races. Once a pair of grizzled old mtb ancients repaired a bust chain and jerry rigged a broken derailleur. I've given away tubes and bombs and lent out my bomb nozzle. I think it's a great part of the sport that people stop and help. Funnily enough I wouldn't expect it or offer it in a road race!
NelAndre Posted July 31, 2017 Posted July 31, 2017 I am not a racer so I stop if I can be of any assistance.
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