Quote Originally Posted by tab123 View Post
Early on in my biking career (before I knew to carry some basics with me), I had a flat about 10 miles from home on the Chicago lakefront path. Normally not a big deal, except it was February and about 30 degrees out with a NE wind off the lake. I started walking home and began shivering in minutes. Another cyclist stopped, gave me his extra tube (in exchange for mine), fixed my flat, and gave me good tips on fixing a flat. After that heartening experience, I always ask if someone needs help. (Men are almost always shocked that I have tools, a mini-pump, etc.)
My husband is sort of the overseer of the bike bag with tools in our world. When he realized my friend didn't have a big bag and was, apparently, never going to bother to get one ... he took his off his bike and put it on hers.

When my OTHER friend bought her first bike and was having "sticker shock" with the cost of, not only the beautiful Ruby bike, but all the add ons (helmet, shoes, etc) ... she just couldn't bring herself to spend one more penny to get the bike bag and tools. So, hubby went to the LBS and bought her one with everything she needed and gave it to her as a "welcome to cycling" gift. He gave me a hands on lesson on fixing flats after I got mine. Lucky for me he did, because although it took over a year, I finally needed to do it, and then again and again! (Time for some new tires!)