Disappointing

Keep_pedalling

I take part in organised rides through Audax UK, interestingly although part of the ethos of audax riding is self sufficiency, hardly anyone will pass a rider having a mechanical problem without asking if they are OK, and will always stop to help if needed.

Norman_Castle

esuhl wrote: »

Last summer, I saw a woman in a group, struggling to push a big, heavy e-bike with a puncture. I offered to help fix it, but they explained they'd found it impossible to remove the rear wheel as you need special tools due to the hub motor. The woman was really annoyed -- it was her first trip out on the e-bike, which she'd bought so she could do a bit of gentle exercise without being left behind by the other non-e-cyclists. Dragging it home with a flat looked like more exercise than she'd ever expected to do in her life!

If I'm out I tend to turn the bike over, undo the v brake and remove the tyre with the wheel still on the bike. You can't change the tube this way but you can fit a patch.

Johnmcl7

I'm really not seeing the problem from people indicating they need help if they're in need of help and not indicating they need help if they don't need help particularly as the OP has said they didn't need or want help.

John

esuhl

Norman_Castle wrote: »

If I'm out I tend to turn the bike over, undo the v brake and remove the tyre with the wheel still on the bike. You can't change the tube this way but you can fit a patch.

Ohhh... good point! I don't know why none of us thought of that!

stevemcol

A range of interesting replies, thanks all. As I suggested above, it's not really about needing help, it's just the polite / friendly acknowledgement, if only to cheer you up while you curse at the rusty nail that's just spoilt your ride. Might be a regional thing.

silverwhistle

I'm a skier and the rules of the mountain (as at sea) are that you have an obligation to help. But often you see people by the side of the piste and they're probably just having a rest, or collecting their bits and pieces if they did actually fall. Sometimes you say 'OK?' as you flash past, other times you may ignore them, others times I have stopped and even waited for the carabinieri with someone as it turned out they'd injured themselves and were grateful I'd stopped. You go by instinct and experience I suppose, which is what those groups of cyclists were doing, I suspect.

esuhl

stevemcol wrote: »

A range of interesting replies, thanks all. As I suggested above, it's not really about needing help, it's just the polite / friendly acknowledgement, if only to cheer you up while you curse at the rusty nail that's just spoilt your ride. Might be a regional thing.

Ha ha -- it's funny how people behave differently in different regions.

If I ride into the small town 8 miles away and say "hello" to another cyclist, they will silently stare at me as if I'm a serial killer! If I do the same where I live, 1/3rd will do the same, 1/3rd will ignore me, and 1/3rd will say "hello" back. If I ride out 10 miles into the countryside, 80% of people return my greeting.

All in the space of less than 20 miles.

Mr_Singleton

stevemcol wrote: »

Had a puncture tonight and was fixing at the side of the road. Seven cyclists passed me in three seperate groups. Not one asked me if I was OK. When did that become the new cycling etiquette?

7 real cyclists then.

You need to familiarise yourself with The Rules.....
http://www.velominati.com/the-rules/

Take special note of Rule 83 which say (in part) "Unless you are followed by a team car, you will repair your own punctures. You will do so expediently, employing your own skills, using your own equipment"

and of course Rule 5.

cubegame

Try cycling the Surrey Hills.....doubt anyone would stop if you twitching your last at the side of the road. Not many out there will want to get blood, dirt, grease or brake dust on their Team Sky tops.......

PasturesNew

I'm independent. I only cycle as far as I feel I am able to carry/push the bike home.

I have something go wrong almost every time I take it out.

I don't do cycle maintenance, clueless. Can't fix a puncture. I've only just managed to get the right "bit" to be able to pump up my tyres.

I've never been helped/offered help by any passing cyclists. I just pick the bike (and sometimes myself) up ... and trudge off home.