ScottCommutes

Has anyone ever helped a stranger with a flat tire or other mechanical issue? Please describe your experience.

I don't mean at an event or group ride or something where the expectations might be different - I mean a total stranger.

Obviously, there are cases where you don't worry about it, perhaps because you are in the city riding to work. Other times, you kind of need to, perhaps miles from civilization when no one else is around.

Also, has anyone been offered help by a good Samaritan? What did you say or do?

CrimsonEclipse

I've helped flat tires, broken chains, failed brakes, and backward helmets.

I start with " hey, ya alright? "

If the person is nervous, I keep my hands in view and a comfortable distance.

I look grumpy (chronic RBF) so most are surprised at my willingness to help.

CAT7RDR

It is the "Golden Rule" of cycling to help others if welcomed.
I had my butt saved once by a roadie who took pity on me when I managed to damage the valves of my two spare tubes with a faulty pump.
Otherwise, I was in for a long walk.

Koyote

Sure, I've helped a complete stranger on occasion. Last time was in a gravel race: guy was having an issue with a puncture and had wasted his lone Co2 cartridge. I got one out, we got his tire inflated, and I gave him a spare tube (he'd been carrying only the one -- I had two). I made a new friend that day.

jadmt

I have never had another cyclist stop to see if I was ok when changing a flat. had many fly by without even looking at me. I have had many old rednecks in beat up trucks stop and ask if everything was ok. I prefer rednecks to cyclists.

spdntrxi

Eroica Ca, I forget the year.

Mile 60sih come across a guy walking his bike... ask him if he needs help. He has a rear flat . Long story short he's flew out from NY , so this kinda was bucketlist ride for him. On what I think is a borrowed vintage bike and on tubulars. I just happen to have a tire and rim tape ( he was riding with no glue) Fixed him up and he was able to continue.

SCbike864

Stopped for a guy who looked like he was having trouble. Let him throw his bike in the truck and gave him a ride home.

indyfabz

In your general neck of the woods, there can be nowhere to take a break other than by the side of the road in the middle of nowhere. I could never remember all the times I have done that and been asked if I needed help. If I see a car coming and I’m having a snack, I’ll try to make my reason for stopping visible. Sometimes I’ll give a friendly wave and smile to let them know I’m ok. Chief Joseph Pass is one place that comes to mind where I did that.

SoCaled 

Haven't ever helped anyone out on the road, but I have ended up helping stranger's on bikes in my neighborhood. I live in a place where people come to ride. More than once I have seen a group stopped to discover they have some maintenance issue, I always check to see if they have what they need. One time, my offer to help with a flat (pump) was turned down, only to have one of the riders excited to see I was still available when they realized their CO2 did not quite fill the tire, I grabbed a pump and got them sorted. Offered the use of my repair stand to another rider who was having some rear wheel/derailleur issue that was not easily solved, I was a bit late on that one, they had already struggled through most of it asked where I was 20 minutes ago?. A couple of times I have provided hex wrenches for seat adjustments and tightening things that came loose.

Eyes Roll

I gave a spare tube that I kept in my bike kit to a biker who had a flat tire and walking along the street with his bike not being able to fix the flat, in the summer of 2021. I have also helped him replace the spare tube, since he was not a frequent bike rider and was not carrying tire levers and bike pump, and helped him get back on the road, free of charge. He did not have cash on him and had only credit cards at that time, but took my cell number and said that he will get back to me either to pay for the spare tube, or take me out for lunch in order to reciprocate.

bblair

Many times.

Big group events, sure. But also on the local bike trail. Usually they have no spare, no pump, no tools. I have fixed their flats, pumped up the tire and sent them on their way. Sometimes an offer to pay for my tube, but I don't care about that. Just get the right equipment and someday, stop and help someone else and we are even.

Wileyrat

I’ve stopped and helped people, and I’ve had people stop and help me.

jon c. 

Gave a guy with a broken chain a ride back to his car once. I live in area that attracts a lot of cyclists and they park at a school about 3 miles from my house.

I've often been offered assistance by motorists and cyclists but never really needed it. Similarly, while riding I've offered help to other cyclists but they never need it.

big chainring 

Of course! Its part of cycling. Help others, others help you. Its a beautiful thing.

Doesnt have to be a mechanical to help out either. A few years ago I greeted a cyclist as I passed him. I had just started my ride and was fresh. He, I could tell was struggling. We had a brief conversation. He was in over 60 miles for the day and was another 10 miles from home. I said I was going that way and would be glad to pace him for the distance. He sat on my wheel drafting as I set a steady easy pace. If he drifted back I slowed down. He was very appreciative of the support. I was happy to assist.

Rick_D

Have lent my pump numerous times--occasionally it's something more complicated. e.g., Walking downtown Portland a gal dropped her chain and I offered to help. Doing so I noticed one brake cable wasn't connected correctly and in that town you want ALL the brakes all the time. Killed a few minutes fixing it sans tools. "Thanks, old guy."

One pump loan was to a guy whose tubeless setup had failed badly--goo everywhere and he was mounting his spare tube (smart, that) and out of CO2 (bet that hardly ever happens). Took a surprising amount of time to get going. IDK how he managed the valve swap--that was before I showed up.

ETA awkward moment, not uncommon:
"Hey, you got a pump?"
[Looks at Schrader-valve bike.] "Nope."
[Looks at my pump.] "Hey!"

Most amusing was a guy who'd flatted and while his trailer contained his car battery and electric pump, his connection hose was missing. No, not making that up.

Anyhoo, having been bailed out a few times myself, it's always a good idea to pay it forward. Sad are the times I'm kinda tired and keep riding past someone stopped, only later wondering if I should have inquired. Will also note women can be understandably hinky of offers to help if they're merely taking a break.

50PlusCycling

All the time. Just this week a couple tourists had gotten a flat on one of their bikes near my home. They didn’t have a tire pump, so I let them use mine. And other people (usually not other cyclists) have stopped and offered to help when I have been doing some kind of repair alongside the road.

LarrySellerz

this is surprising, I always ask a stopped cyclist if he or she is okay, and fully expect the support of random cyclists if I’m having trouble fixing something or have crashed. It’s something you can count on.

note: I don’t carry tools or spares with me, but I always offer help. The offer is very rarely taken. People like the moral support, and it’s the thought that counts. Ever been stranded or hurt and had people ride past you? It sucks.

most memorable time was when I had a tiny bike and asked a guy if he had an Allen to raise the seat, and he said he used to do bike fits professionally and gave me a quick one.

indyfabz

Decades ago I patched a guy’s tube in Valley Forge National Park. He had bolt on wheels and no wrench. As I was finishing up, he started hitting on me. NTTAWWT.

LarrySellerz

Once I flatted 20 miles from home with that setup and must have asked 50+ people (all cyclists, few cops and trucks) if they had a crescent wrench. It wasn’t until later that I learned some multi tools have a wrench for the common nut.

veganbikes

I have offered many times but most people wave me off but I have helped people before I cannot remember specific instances but a lot of times if I am stopped or I see a bike I will try and help. It isn't often and sometimes I see something and just go, "yeah no" (in my head) as the bike needs to basically be replaced years ago and there is just too much to do in a short interaction without having a full toolkit and parts.

rsbob 

I gave one guy my patch kit who had run out of patches/tubes. I always ask if people need help, since I was an ignoranus once (some might argue to the contrary) and a guy stopped and helped me. I really appreciated not having to walk miles pushing my Varsity. Now when I ask people, they seem glad I made the effort.

squirtdad

If it looks like person needs help will offer help.

have helped people more than once, a few examples,

teenager with bike that won't pedal....turns out rear wheel loose and rubbing against the frame.
Guy with flat....but my schrader connector did not work, but could point him to a bike shop 1/2 mile away
Guy who fell....ended up doing first aid and called for emt/fire, he ended up going to hospital

at Cino in 2021 gave people 5 tubes

stevel610 

Have fixed a flat or two.
Once a guy with girlfriend had his chain come off and bent the rear d. I offered to break the chain and make it a single speed to get him home. He declined. Don't know what happened.

stevel610 

Was just riding in VF park yesterday and day before. Day before the trail down to the Monte Clare dog park was full of mud.

Steve B.

Encountered a guy on a road bike walking in the grass alongside the 5 mile bike path yesterday. We slowed to ascertain if he needed help. He had a badly torn tire, needed a boot and tube. We offered to help fix, I carry boot material with me, but he declined the help, stating he was OK to walk the remaining 2 miles to his car. I wasn’t asking twice and rode on.