So there I was, driving down a street on the edge of the city and I notice a guy walking his bike. The front tire was flat as a pancake. I started thinking, "I should stop and help him." But, with what? I don't keep a kit in the trunk of my car to fix bicycle flats. The guy didn't have a pump or a flat kit--what he did have was a likely long walk home. There wasn't a bicycle shop within 4 miles (if he knew where it was!). He was walking to a gas station, but it was one of those places that just sell gas and cokes, so I doubt he got any help there.
I thought about going home and driving back with the necessary implements, but I had an appointment that I had to make. This guy was SOL, but for the future people I see walking bikes with flats, I threw a patch kit, some tire levers, and a frame pump in the trunk of my car. Maybe this is something we all should do so that we can be ready to help out our fellow cyclists--even those who go out riding without an emergency kit.
So there I was, driving down a street on the edge of the city and I notice a guy walking his bike. The front tire was flat as a pancake. I started thinking, "I should stop and help him." But, with what? I don't keep a kit in the trunk of my car to fix bicycle flats. The guy didn't have a pump or a flat kit--what he did have was a likely long walk home. There wasn't a bicycle shop within 4 miles (if he knew where it was!). He was walking to a gas station, but it was one of those places that just sell gas and cokes, so I doubt he got any help there.
I thought about going home and driving back with the necessary implements, but I had an appointment that I had to make. This guy was SOL, but for the future people I see walking bikes with flats, I threw a patch kit, some tire levers, and a frame pump in the trunk of my car. Maybe this is something we all should do so that we can be ready to help out our fellow cyclists--even those who go out riding without an emergency kit.
Pat in TX
My saddle bag includes a multi tool, spare tubes, CO2, patches and some booting material. Whenever I see a stopped cyclist I ask if they are OK and if they have all they need to get going again. I think it is just part of being polite and helpful to fellow citizens.
Yesterday I came accross a cyclist who had shredded his tire to the point of booting being useless. But I did have a cell phone he could use and that saved him a long walk.
"gds" <[email hidden]> wrote > My saddle bag includes a multi tool, spare tubes, CO2, patches and some
Quoted message said:
booting material. Whenever I see a stopped cyclist I ask if they are OK and if they have all they need to get going again. I think it is just part of being polite and helpful to fellow citizens.
Yesterday I came accross a cyclist who had shredded his tire to the point of booting being useless. But I did have a cell phone he could use and that saved him a long walk.
My saddle bag contains those things too---but the point of my post is that I was driving my car and it didn't have those items inside it.
"Pat in TX" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
So there I was, driving down a street on the edge of the city and I notice a guy walking his bike. The front tire was flat as a pancake. I started thinking, "I should stop and help him." But, with what? I don't keep a kit in the trunk of my car to fix bicycle flats. The guy didn't have a pump or a flat kit--what he did have was a likely long walk home. There wasn't a bicycle shop within 4 miles (if he knew where it was!). He was walking to a gas station, but it was one of those places that just sell gas and cokes, so I doubt he got any help there.
I thought about going home and driving back with the necessary implements, but I had an appointment that I had to make. This guy was SOL, but for the future people I see walking bikes with flats, I threw a patch kit, some tire levers, and a frame pump in the trunk of my car. Maybe this is something we all should do so that we can be ready to help out our fellow cyclists--even those who go out riding without an emergency kit.
I saw a guy with a flat today, myself. I asked him if he had heard of the heavier slime filled tubes. He blew it off but sure could [censored] about the goatheads. I don't get flats anymore. Just a low tire about once a few weeks. Fill it up and go. Well, you can lead water to a horse but you can't drown it if you want 🙂
