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DId I do the right thing? Damsel in Distress.
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 2005-09-11 1:42 PM |
Pro  4481    Reston |  Subject: DId I do the right thing? Damsel in Distress.I was out late Saturday morning on my bike, riding on the W&OD Trail here in northern Virginia. I was within 1/4 mile of the end of my ride, coming up on a part of the trail that crosses over a main road. There was a women stopped along the side of the trail, looking at her back tire. As I passed, I said "Everything okay?" to which she sheepishly replied "Uhh, I think it might need patched or something." So I stopped. I figured that I was basically done with my ride anyway, and maybe she could use a hand. Turns out she had run over something that pierced through the tire, and subsequently the tube, and it went flat. She was half looking at me, half looking at the bike, seeming a bit unsure. I asked if she had a spare tube and some tire levers. At this point she opened up her tool bag and started pulling out what appeared to be one-of-everything from the local LBS. "Is this what you mean?" Handing me what clearly wasn't a lever. "Hang on, I have some..." and at this point I thought that maybe I should just do the repair, and so I did. No big deal, I didn't think. As I was finishing up, she made a comment about her front wheel, and that she thought there might have been a slow leak since "the last time that she had to change it." I didn't think anything of it at the time, but later on in the day, I started wondering if maybe she didn't really want my help, and resented the fact that I stopped to come to the rescue. Did I think at the time that she would have been able to change the tire? Yes. Do I think she might still be there? Yes. Ladies, put yourself in the situation. I'm sure most of you are capable of changing a tire (Welshy, Comet, I'm talking in the literal sense here). Would you rather do it yourself, or if someone stopped to offer help, would you just let that person take over, as I did? I know there are more important things in the world to worry about, but this is bugging me. |
| 2005-09-11 2:04 PM in reply to: #244105 |
Queen BTich 12411 , | Subject: RE: DId I do the right thing? Damsel in Distress. LOL!!! You grouped us together. To answer the serious question and the pun at the same time, it is always better if someone helps. Had that been me, I would always appreciate and be thankful for someone to stop and see if I need help even though I can do it myself. I am not an expert at tire changing, but I have changed 3 on my bike so I know how to do it. If someone comes along and can do it much faster than the 10 minutes it takes me then have at it. I can't answer for her, but if that was me and you stopped I would be thankful. Don't let her attitude cause you to worry. You were being kind to a fellow cyclist (and she didn't even know her tire lever) and probably saved her time. |
| 2005-09-11 3:55 PM in reply to: #244105 |
The Original 7834 Raleigh/Durham | Subject: RE: DId I do the right thing? Damsel in Distress. Anyone else offering to change my tire would be more than welcome to. I can change a flat, but it's a struggle and takes me a long time. As much as I have practiced, I'm still not comfortable changing it. I wouldn't be insulted if somebody offered. In fact, I would probably be mad if some guy rode past me without asking if everything was ok. For example, on our group ride Saturday somebody got a flat. 2 of the guys were aside the road messing with it. I knew they had in under control and didn't need my help, but I asked if they needed anything just to make sure. Not that I would have changed the tire- it would take me about 45 minutes, but I could have given them a co2 cartridge or a tube if they didn't have one. I think as cyclists it's common courtesy to ask if someone looks like they are having problems. It never hurts to ask |
| 2005-09-11 3:56 PM in reply to: #244105 |
Queen BTich 12411 , | Subject: RE: DId I do the right thing? Damsel in Distress. |
| 2005-09-11 4:03 PM in reply to: #244105 |
Master 1480 Plant City, FL | Subject: RE: DId I do the right thing? Damsel in Distress. Scott-- You are a knight in shining armor IMO!! |
| 2005-09-11 4:11 PM in reply to: #244163 |
Pro 4481 Reston | Subject: RE: DId I do the right thing? Damsel in Distress. TriComet - 2005-09-11 4:56 PM cannot....stop....laughing..... *sorry* please continue. Geez, I should have known you'd try to turn this into a circus. |
| 2005-09-11 4:14 PM in reply to: #244105 |
Queen BTich 12411 , | Subject: RE: DId I do the right thing? Damsel in Distress. What...Chipotle? |
| 2005-09-11 4:30 PM in reply to: #244105 |
Master 2136 A Prairie Home | Subject: RE: DId I do the right thing? Damsel in Distress. I would let a nice person like yourself takeover, then I would write about it on BT so that everybody can see how wonderful people are.  |
| 2005-09-11 5:20 PM in reply to: #244105 |
Expert 713 WV | Subject: RE: DId I do the right thing? Damsel in Distress. I can change a tire but I also have selective memory if a kind gentleman were to stop and offer help. I would forget how to do it! Then, I wouldn't get dirty!!  |
| 2005-09-11 6:21 PM in reply to: #244105 |
Champion 5183 Wisconsin | Subject: RE: DId I do the right thing? Damsel in Distress. I always appreciate help-- you did the right thing. anyone who is annoyed by the generosity of others is a jerky jerk. Here's the Q, though-- would you also have volunteered to help a guy in that situation? (the LITERAL situation |
| 2005-09-11 6:40 PM in reply to: #244105 |
Champion 26509 Sydney | Subject: RE: DId I do the right thing? Damsel in Distress. Im new to this and one of my biggest fears is my first flat tyre, especially if Im riding solo... It's lovely to hear that people still stop and help... Im sure you did the right thing, she might have just been a bit embarrassed about being in the situation in the first place |
| 2005-09-11 7:03 PM in reply to: #244247 |
Pro 4481 Reston | Subject: RE: DId I do the right thing? Damsel in Distress. possum, about 45 minutes before I saw this lady, I had stopped and given a CO2 cartridge to some guy after he broke his hand pump. So I guess the answer is yes, I would most likely stop for anyone... although if I have another day like Saturday, all this stopping to help is really going to interfere with my training!!! |
| 2005-09-11 7:09 PM in reply to: #244105 |
Master 1938 La Crosse | Subject: RE: DId I do the right thing? Damsel in Distress. 3558 - 2005-09-11 2:42 PM "Uhh, I think it might need patched or something." What, she's from Pittsburgh? "Needs patched"? "the last time that she had to change it." This could also mean "the last time that it was blown, and someone else had to help me change it" rather than "the last time that I, myself, changed the tire". |
| 2005-09-11 7:11 PM in reply to: #244265 |
Champion 5183 Wisconsin | Subject: RE: DId I do the right thing? Damsel in Distress. good answer. that means you are an all around nice guy with a generous heart. (rather than a guy who assumes women need him and men are self sufficient/would be insulted by a nice offer....) Hear that single ladies? Another point for 3558! |
| 2005-09-11 7:54 PM in reply to: #244105 |
Elite 2661 DC Metro, slowly working my way to NC | Subject: RE: DId I do the right thing? Damsel in Distress. I would totally appreciate the assistance! |
| 2005-09-11 8:18 PM in reply to: #244105 |
| T1 | Subject: RE: DId I do the right thing? Damsel in Distress. Don't even worry about it for another minute. She didn't even know what a tire lever was. I bet you $50 she was saying that about the front tire (the last time she changed it) to save face so it would look like she had changed a tire at some point in her life. I'm with everyone else. If a cute guy was in front of me, I'd sure as hell let him change my tire! And I'd drop the lever so he'd have to bend over to pick it up!! Seriously, you were great to help her out! Happy training! Victoria |
| 2005-09-11 8:27 PM in reply to: #244105 |
Master 1938 La Crosse | Subject: RE: DId I do the right thing? Damsel in Distress. Woo-hoo, kaqphin has returned with the kitty monster! Hooray! I love the kitty monster! I want to have a bike jersey made with the kitty monster on the front! |
| 2005-09-12 9:49 AM in reply to: #244330 |
Queen BTich 12411 , | Subject: RE: DId I do the right thing? Damsel in Distress. vmr719 - 2005-09-11 9:18 PM If a cute guy was in front of me, I'd sure as hell let him change my tire! And I'd drop the lever so he'd have to bend over to pick it up!! LMAO!!! Just....can't....help....myself..... Why wait for him to be in front of you? what about if he rode up behind you? What if he came across you from the side (i mean at an intersection)? Why limit yourself? be open to all possiblilities. *WHEW* I feel better *sigh* Edited by TriComet 2005-09-12 9:54 AM |
| 2005-09-12 9:53 AM in reply to: #244686 |
| T1 | Subject: RE: DId I do the right thing? Damsel in Distress. That's why I pack multiple tire levers. I want to be prepared for any and all situations. TriComet - 2005-09-12 9:49 AM LMAO!!! Just....can't....help....myself..... Why wait for him to be in front of you? what about if he rode up behind you? What if he came across you from the side (i mean at an intersection)? Why limit yourself? be open to all possiblilities. |
| 2005-09-12 9:55 AM in reply to: #244105 |
Queen BTich 12411 , | Subject: RE: DId I do the right thing? Damsel in Distress. Are they different shapes and sizes? Different qualities and brands? |
| 2005-09-12 10:01 AM in reply to: #244694 |
The Original 7834 Raleigh/Durham | Subject: RE: DId I do the right thing? Damsel in Distress. TriComet - 2005-09-12 10:55 AM Are they different shapes and sizes? Different qualities and brands? LOL! I can't wait to go to the bike shop and ask for mutltiple sized tire levers to fix a flat! |
| 2005-09-12 10:03 AM in reply to: #244694 |
| T1 | Subject: RE: DId I do the right thing? Damsel in Distress. LMAO. Do I need to quote the old adage? Tire lever size isn't everything, it's how you use the tire lever. TriComet - 2005-09-12 9:55 AM Are they different shapes and sizes? Different qualities and brands? Edited by vmr719 2005-09-12 10:04 AM |
| 2005-09-12 10:09 AM in reply to: #244105 |
Pro 4481 Reston | Subject: RE: DId I do the right thing? Damsel in Distress. i think i should let you all know that i did use a hand pump to, you know, pump up her tire. oh great, here i go helping you hijack my own thread |
| 2005-09-12 10:11 AM in reply to: #244694 |
Got Wahoo? 5423 San Antonio | Subject: RE: DId I do the right thing? Damsel in Distress. Chankging a tire is so easy! Sometimes you can simply patch when a tire changing partner is not available, though you might need to spit on it while pumping to facilitate this process and induce the leak... |
| 2005-09-12 10:12 AM in reply to: #244105 |
Queen BTich 12411 , | Subject: RE: DId I do the right thing? Damsel in Distress. How big was your hand pump? Did you use the quick CO2 cartridge or slowly use the pump for at least 20 minutes? Even better, did anyone else stop to help? The more |
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