Have you ever helped an invisible cyclist?

[Trek420]

Vehicular cyclist diplomacy!

"I hereby hand you, a driver the olive branch of peace ... ok, so it's the bungee cord of peace"

[xeney]

When my husband and I used to ride together when I was still in school, he would often do a longer route and I'd sit at a park reading for class while I waited for him. It seemed like I was always seeing people with flat tires when that happened, and I lent out my pump and spare tubes pretty often.

One guy was surprised when I offered him my pump and said, "Women never offer, it's always guys! Thanks!" I am glad to see from this thread that he was wrong.

[bounceswoosh]

Women never offer? Bah! While on my mountain bike, I've stopped to help more guys than I can count. Most recently just a few weeks ago at Heil, I lent a guy my pump, and at my most recent ride on the same trail, he saw me and said hi. Cool to be remembered.

I definitely believe in bike karma, and I also believe in carrying tons of tools. Not that I would necessarily know what to do with them, but *someone* on the trail would.

[ATL Laura]

I am a firm believer in bike karma, but sometimes I am a little wary of stopping to help men when I am on a rural or otherwise little-traveled route. I am a pretty tough chick, but I’m also a street smart chick and I try not to put myself in situations where I could be hurt. I’m sure that most men changing a flat on the side of the road are not serial killers trying to lure their next female victim, but I’d rather be safe than sorry.

I guess this raises a question…am I ruining my bike karma by not helping stranded men in rural areas?

[Trek420]

I don't think so. And I'm a firm believer in not taking chances.

Sometimes we're helping just by being out there "look, this is how it's done. With traffic, visible".

[bike4ever]

We have an "Invisible Cyclist" in our shop at least once a week. If it's raining, cold, or hot outside, Calvin parks his bike back in the shop to get out of the weather.

Three years ago, multiple shop employees went in together to purchase him one of our bikes. We had been regularly working on his Magna junk without much success. We put him on a decent hybrid and didn't feel so bad always working on our bike. We have "Lifetime Basic Adjustments". For Calvin, this means we pretty much do everything on his bike - he just needs to pay for parts. I greatly reduce his parts price also.

Calvin is always looking at our cool new bikes. I have offered him opportunities to purchase one of the cool bikes, but he would have to work for it. I've been quite creative in offering him work opportunities. In the 4 years that I have know Calvin, he hasn't taken up the offer to work. He just waits for his monthly check to purchase his bike parts.

[ClockworkOrange]

Great thread, some really lovely stories.

I have done my bit but not when on a bike, probably because I avoid people and try and go off road..........no, not in a total wilderness like some of you guys!

Many times when in my car have stopped to offer help, for all sorts of reasons.

It gives you a nice feeling reading all these stories, it just makes you smile, as they say "it's better to give than to receive"...........well most times.

Clock

[Trek420]

On my way home today I noticed a woman across from me smile. I thought it was the new Obama spoke card. While not an invisible cyclist she did not fit the urban fitness cycle chick mold. She was dressed in traditional Muslim garb albeit with some business tweaks to the outfit.

As I exited the train she stopped me to ask questions; how much do bike shoes cost, where do you get them, how much does this and that part cost ... I was helpful but said I really don't talk about the cost of my bike, it's parts etc.

She said she'd just purchased a Giant bike but she has to ride in a skirt. Where could she get skirt guards? I mentioned some of the bikes that come with them like some of the townies.

She said she has to ride the bike she's got because she rides a 26" frame.

If you're lurking here .... "on what planet do you ride a 26"?"

She's about my height, a little taller.

I think my commutermoblie mtb is either a 13" - 17".

Lady, you got sold a hill a'beans. But maybe a LBS will fit her to a Townie Amsterdam or Bianchi Milano or ...

KnottedYet would be proud of me, I did not debate her.

But as I walked away I heard her muttering loudly "why don't they tell me what things cost? Why are they so secretive? Why don't cyclists talk about how much their bikes cost? ..."

So maybe she's been trying to get info.

When I got downstairs I flagged her down and suggested two local shops. I referred her to the one that carries Giant and told her who to ask for there. That if her Giant needs a part to have a chain guard they should have it.

She thanked me and I rode away