Bad inflator + no apathetic cyclists = short ride

[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.

[Crankin]

Gwen, I am sorry that happened to you.
I have been on that ride and they were not too friendly. When I realized I couldn't keep up, my husband turned around and waited for me, to go with the group doing the shorter ride. They sort of told him he was being silly...
I like riding with the Wednesday Wheelers, because they keep everyone together and it is social, but I do not like CRW rides on the whole, even though I belong. Last year we did the Spring metric and there were sooooo many ill mannered and unsafe riders. I crashed because someone stopped short in front of me, causing the woman behind me to crash, too. She was injured and her bike was messed up. The guys kind of laughed it off; if I hadn't had my "leader" first aid stuff in my bag and Steve hadn't had his tools, she would have been left there.
I always ask, "Do you need anything?"

[Tri Girl]

I had that happen one time. I was cycling around our big lake where LOTS of runners/cyclists/walkers/rollerbladers go and I had a flat. I didn't have what I needed- my CO2 pump broke mid-pump, and it was obvious that I needed help (had my bike upside down, waved at a couple people to stop but none did) and only one person asked if I needed help. She was old and on an old, cool steel bike with no repair supplies.
At least she asked.

Humanity is good. You just chose a bad day where only the selfish were riding.

[indigoiis]

I think it's so beautiful here today, that people were drunk on the weather.

Usually I find Mass/RI/CT riders to be pretty helpful and friendly... I'm sorry you had a bad experience.

If I had ridden by ya, I woulda stopped.

[Ana]

only one person asked if I needed help. She was old and on an old, cool steel bike with no repair supplies.
At least she asked.

I think I'd stop if it was a woman I hardly see any women on my rides though

[withm]

I carry 2 tubes, 2 cartridges, and both a pump and CO2 inflator, and a patch kit. Because you just never know what is going to work, or if you are going to run out of tubes on an especially bad day. Or in a fit of benovelence you give a tube or cartridge away to some other unprepared cyclist.

And for anyone who has not actually used the CO2 inflator- its a very good idea to sacrifice a cartridge to learn how to use it in the comfort of your living room. Otherwise you'll be likely be sacrificing that cartridge when you really really need it. When it's cold, or getting dark.

[Fujichants]

To be honest, sometimes I ride by people who are on the side of the road and i'm not quite sure if they have a flat. I usually realize too late and by then it's too late to turn back. I passed a group of three girls once, and one clearly had a flat, but for some reason it didn't register in my mind to ask if they were ok...I just looked and kept going. I didn't mean it though! Sometimes the wheels keep rolling and I just space out.