Good ride w/short rant!

[RoadRaven]

BikerHen, I understand how frustrating this can be, being not an elite cyclists physique and still dreadfully slow on hills compared to many. But I have come to accept the concerned questions and well-meaning encouragement - though at times I must admit to being peeved that anyone has talked to me!

However, if its any consolation, I ask every solo cyclist who is stopped if they are all right... even if they are obviously repairing a tube and seemingly obviously in control of the situation.

I do this for two reasons;

1. They may not have the right tools, or maybe would rather use my cell than repair and head home, or maybe they are out of food and on the verge of bonking and thats why they ran into rough ground and got a flat... etc... etc... just because you look "in control" doesn't mean you are.

2. They may have crashed, have slight concussion and only appear to be having a break. I learned this a month or so back during a race. I came to the first corner and there was this guy leaning on the fence with his bike beside him, looking like he'd had enough or maybe his tyre had blown and was waiting for the sag wagon. So I called out to him "You right?" and his reply didn't sound right so I dropped off the back of my grade and went back to him. Turns out Fred had slid on the corner, and although someone in his grade had phoned the starters to come get him, I noticed his helmet was all smashed down one side. His grade hadn't noticed that and as I waited with him he became more and more disoriented and was taken to hospital for concussion.

So I call out to everyone who is stopped, even if they have just blown their nose...
And everyone I pass (usually on the flat) I say hi to, and - if a stranger - try to guage how they are coping on their ride.

One thing I have learned is to never assume and appearances can be deceptive (like you and me, BH .... you might be big and female, but you ride 50miles - I have only managed that once! - ... and I may be big and female, but I can cane some guys who look fitter than me in a TT).

[Deanna]

Like RoadRaven, I too will ask solo riders who are pulled over if they need assistance, usually by asking if they need anything. One time, I asked somebody "Do you need some help?" Turns out he was homeless and he responded that it was a loaded question and where should he start? So, I don't use that phrase anymore.

[Eden]

They may have crashed, have slight concussion and only appear to be having a break. I learned this a month or so back during a race. I came to the first corner and there was this guy leaning on the fence with his bike beside him, looking like he'd had enough or maybe his tyre had blown and was waiting for the sag wagon. So I called out to him "You right?" and his reply didn't sound right so I dropped off the back of my grade and went back to him. Turns out Fred had slid on the corner, and although someone in his grade had phoned the starters to come get him, I noticed his helmet was all smashed down one side. His grade hadn't noticed that and as I waited with him he became more and more disoriented and was taken to hospital for concussion.

+1 I generally ask people who are stopped if they need anything unless they are very obviously doing something like eating, talking on a phone etc. Once I saw a guy stopped a little ways off the trail sitting next to his bike. Something just didn't seem right even though he looked to just be sitting taking a break. Turns out he had just had a crash and was pretty sure he'd broken his wrist and was in quite a bit of pain. He'd already called for a ride so there wasn't anything I could really do for him - I offered to go see if I could get some ice, but he didn't want it. Still if I were in that situation I'd be glad someone noticed and took the time to stop.

[northstar]

I always appreciate it when riders check in if I am pulled over (usually to snap a few pictures!). Whenever we ride alone we run the risk of being "stuck" out there alone, so I appreciate it when people ask "Everything ok?" as I usually ride alone.

Some of the other comments (good for you for doing this) are asenine. Sorry to all who have had to endure that junk.

[Duck on Wheels]

I think you just have to decide for yourself how you take those remarks. There's no time, as folks ride by, to ask how they were meant. Not really much point in speculating either. So I think you simply have to decide to take them all as well meant, though sometimes poorly thought out, and cheerfully call back stuff like "I'm fine, thanks!" or "You too!" or whatever fits with a positive interpretation of what was said. It'll make your day feel better, you can energize yourself with pride in being a good and cheerful rider, and if they did mean to be mean it might shame them.

[crazycanuck]

I normally say "Hey, everything cool" if i see someone stopped on the side of the path./road/trail.

I was about to ask a young lady if she was ok this evening as she was walking her bike but then realized she was on her cell phone...

As long as we're ok to stop or just ask folks if they're cool, then tis ok.

C

[Aint Doody]

I'd so much rather have somebody say [I]something [I]when they pass me than not say anything. I've warned some in our club that if they pass me without saying anything, they might end up wearing a "snot rocket!"