On Saturday I stupidly ventured out of the city limits without my cellphone or the proper tools for a flat. I went to check out the new Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park. Sure enough, a kilometer into the park, I got a rear wheel flat on my BionX (electric-assist) conversion of a Trek Navigator. Fixing a rear wheel flat on a BionX conversion requires a bit of planning ahead - more than the basic tools are needed, which stupidly, is all I had.
But Kevin ____ and his charming family came to my rescue and drove me back into Calgary (even though it was out of their way) after their enjoyable ride of the new park. So a big public thank you to Kevin and his cycling family for bailing me out of a jam!!
And also a thank you to anyone who has ever come to the aid of a cyclist in distress! What would we do without these good samaritans? If I could buy you all a beer I would.
Pay it forward
Submitted by RichieRich on
Glad you had a good Samaritan come to your aid. 95% of the time I see someone at the side of the pathway I ask if they're ok and have what they need. When I have been the one at the side of the path, 95% of folks just whiz by without even a sideways glance. I don't think it's cos I look shifty but who knows?
I figure pay it forward if someone has helped you out, it's good karma and does your soul good.
Usually stop
Submitted by BCDon on
I will generally slow down and ask if they need help. When I was bicycle touring I'd always stop as it gave me a chance to talk to someone plus I carried more tools than I do on a day trip. Heck, I'd even check folks who had pulled over in their car with the hood up. When I'm driving I usually have a patch kit in the car and a floor pump so I'll pull over to help solo cyclists but not so much when there is a group already cheering on the flat fixer :).
People are odd.
Submitted by Scott on
I pulled over yesterday for a quick fix on my fender, nothing anyone with a tool couldnt deal with so I was concerned someone would stop as it wasnt necessary. What I was curious about however while dealing with it was how many would offer as it is the right thing to do. While I stood there adjusting for about 5 minutes, several bikes cruised by, all commuters by the looks of them and each male over 30... not one even said a word as they went by. Shocking.
If your reading... shame on you as a human! True, I needed no help but no way you could have known that. Like many on here, I offer to all who are in possible need and to add to that... I look every rider in the face, nod and say 'morning' (if appicable of course). Most oncoming cyclists rarely say something in return. As a motorcyclist this reminds me of how all bikes wave with a low five to each other as we pass but guys on Harleys never do. They feel better or above such motor cycle commaraderie. Is this the case with you snobbish cyclists as well? Do you feel above the brotherhood of bicycling? Sicken's my belly if you do. We are in this together. We need to spread the gospel of bike love and by being cheery, friendly and pro-active with it we can steadily change the perception of bike hate that exists out there.
Reminds me of all the people I will see snicker and laugh and point at a woman with toilet paper out her skirt or her tag sticking out from her collar or the guy with the zipper down. I have always been the guy to approach and alert them of their wardrobe malfunction so they can fix and not be embarassed. I always get a thanks and hope that they too will pay it fwd and help another in similar distress one day. Yes, blowing my own "humanity horn" here but good lord... why dont you hear it? I hope you do and from this day fwd smile and nod and say hello, offer help and alert to a malfunction to save another some embarassment. Rise to the occassion you have been born into... being humane.
Some of us are even.
Submitted by BCDon on
As both a motorcyclist and bicyclist I wave or nod most of the time when on the road. But not so much on a busy pathway. If you are out on something like 22x and I'm heading the opposite way you'll get a wave from me. On the pathway you may get a nod or a "Harley salute" which is lifting up the fingers of your left hand while still keeping your hands on the bars.
From a motorcycle perspective the "waves" go from the aforementioned Harley salute to the full on double arm roller coaster wave from the passenger on the back of a gold wing. In fact when I took folks for rides on my GW, after covering basic safety and riding instructions I always told them that their biggest job was to wave at other riders AND at all kids in cars when riding alongside.
Also, when on the road with my bicycle, I wave to motorcycles.
Waves
Submitted by wwotl on
When I used to do highway riding I'd always wave at other cyclists, motorbikers and semi's. I'd almost always get a wave back, even from the big packs of Harleys (especially if I was cranking up a big nasty hill) and a short blast of the airhorns from the big semi's.
I haven't ridden highways for years, but I have a feeling things would be a little less friendly now.
Reminds me of
Submitted by BCDon on
A number of years ago, when I was commuting regularly, my route took me up North along Nose Creek. I would always pass a woman cycling the other way. This was about 15 years ago or so and we didn't have very many people on the pathways. Anyway she never seemed to smile so I took it as a personal challenge to get her to open up a bit. When I saw her I'd smile and wave and then tell her to have a good day. I eventually got a smile out of her but that was about it.
Shame?
Submitted by DarrenB on
Scott, if you step back and look at your comments again, don't you think your viewpoint my be a bit harsh?
Personally, I slow down and try to help anyone I see in need. But lots of people are pulled over beside the pathways fiddling with stuff. If I don't see a need, I am not likely to stop for someone adjusting a fender or seat or something like that. But if I see a flat and someone standing beside their bike scratching their head, or they are missing a pedal, or someone looks really panicked, that is a whole other story. I am sure most cyclists would pull over and offer a helping hand. At least, that has been my experience (and I will add I would MUCH rather have mechanical problems on my bike on a pathway than in my car on Deerfoot or MacLeod!).
Nah..
Submitted by Scott on
Not harsh... just blunt. lol. My idea of sugar coating things often hurts the most sensitive of souls I admit. Bit brash, guilty. Sorry if any of you have sensitive souls and take offense. Guilty perhaps? If so, then my message was a success because if your reading and feeling guilty... chances are you might make a change in your behavior right? Thats my goal. Enact change. Hate me if you will, small price to pay if you become a nicer person for it I figure.
In my case... the way I was positioned with the bike and gear all about... it looked like a total breakdown which is why I was so surprised not even a "you all right?" as they came up on me. Down my way, there are few riders at all so it struck me super odd that there was even the 3 that passed when I might be lucky to see that many in a week. lol. That said... in an area devoid of people... an offer of assistance should be the norm. I understand why though... people are terribly into themselves in this day and age. We live in cul d'sacs and might wave at the guys across the street but rarely ever speak with them or socialize for the most part. We go on trains and buses and sit next to people and plug in our headphones or might even just sit in pure silence the whole way. When I was a teen... this didnt exist nearly so much. It did a bit but I have seen it get much worse over the decades. Im sad about it really. The more disconnected we become from one another the worse this planet will get on all levels.
Sigh.
+1
Submitted by mikewarren on
If you've got tools out and seem to be okay, I'll wave.
If not, I'll ask.
If you're pushing/on-cel-phone-beside/looking-confused-by your bike, I'll stop.
I usually find that it is
Submitted by Tyrone on
I usually find that it is easier to get a "hello" or "good morning" on the way to work as opposed to going home. No idea why, people just seem friendlier at 05:30.