Bad inflator + no apathetic cyclists = short ride

[mayanorange]

Well maybe this should go on the daily ride thread, but I am a bit ticked off, so going to rant. DH and I went over to Needham to try the 42 mile CRW route. We got about 4 miles and I got a flat. I had all the stuff I needed- new tube, levers, couple co2 cartridges, and the ProFlate Innovations inflater thing. Well I guess it was a slight newbie mistake, but I'd never tried the ProFlate thing, but how hard could it be? Very straightforward design, had a push button to regulate flow. Except it eats Presta valves. So I couldn't get any air into the tire. DH decided to ride back to the car to rescue me and I was still attempting to get the darn thing to inflate in the meantime. Nope. Evil inflater.

The other thing I need to point out is that about 40 cyclists passed me once DH took off. Guess how many were polite enough to ask if I was okay? One. We did the shorter version of this heavily traveled route a couple weeks ago and I saw a guy with a flat and offered my help. Not that I know what I'm doing, but it's the way I was raised. Makes me a bit wary that if I had been by myself it could have been much worse. Granted I didn't flag anyone down, but it takes a second to ask 'You ok?'. I'm a bit disappointed in the cycling 'community' today.

Anywho, I'm done ranting. I'm going off to the LBS to find the most idiot-proof inflater that exists.

[Mr. Bloom]

Guess how many were polite enough to ask if I was okay? One.

Come to Indiana...you would have been overwhelmed with the assistance offered

[mayanorange]

Come to Indiana...you would have been overwhelmed with the assistance offered

Maybe that's why I expect to be overwhelmed with help- my parents are midwesterners.

So I solved the inflator issue- works perfectly fine if you use a schrader adapter. All these things that say they work with both valve types just lie...

[Ana]

So what is the proper etiquette for asking others if they need assistance?

I am a relatively new rider and do not go more than 7-ish miles away from home. Oftentimes, I do not usually take a frame pump and sometimes I forget my multitool. I usually remember my extra tube but I am not sure why I would take that but not a pump....

Aside from my dangerous optimism about flats and other mechanical disasters, I feel that the knowledge and equipment I possess in regard to those stopped at the side of the road is minimal at best (i.e. watching them repair their bicycle or calling for assistance).

In addition, as a young woman who rides alone, I hesitate to stop sometimes...if I never made it home, it would take my housemates at least a couple days to figure out I was missing...

Is it polite to ask the people stopped at the side of the road (who usually have nicer stuff than I do) if I can assist them even though my knowledge and equipment is limited?

[MartianDestiny]

Sorry to hear that Mayanorange.

You weren't in the Bay Area where you? When I got run off the road I got passed by 40+ cyclists with one offer of help as well. My front wheel was obviously flat and damaged (I had everything I needed except duct tape to do a temp repair on the sidewall that had shredded), brake levers obviously torqued (just needed someone with the strength to fix them), and obviously limping with a trail of blood...

I lost faith in humanity for 2.5 of the 3 mile walk home that day until someone finally stopped. When he couldn't fix it he offered to ride the 5 miles to his house, get his car, drive back, just to drive me the last .5 miles home. I declined, but he emailed me the next day to make sure I'd made it ok (turned out we worked together!). There are good people in the world!


Ana:
What I tend to do if I see someone that may have a medical or mechanical issue is slow down a little and ask "ya ok?" or "need something?" as I'm approaching. Most times people have it covered and simply say "good, thanks" and wish me a nice ride.

I have passed people in odd, poorly lit, poorly traveled areas because I just didn't feel safe about it being alone and a girl. Normally though I don't feel unsafe about it. Obviously if you aren't comfortable in the situation don't put yourself in it.

[mayanorange]

I just realized I confused apathy with empathy... happens to the best of us I suppose!

Boston area, which is relatively rider friendly... I thought.

[Mr. Bloom]

Maybe that's why I expect to be overwhelmed with help- my parents are midwesterners.

How ironic...by Bostonian cousins used to try teaching me how to be rude

Mr Silver:

Where in Indiana are you??

I commute between the Evansville area (where Silver lives until the kids graduate) and Bloomington. So, I have windy, flat corn fields on the weekends and serious hill training during the week.