I used to lead regular trail rides and there was always one or two members of the group who chose not to bring anything along beyond food and water. They were the fast guys, so when either had a flat or a mechanical, they could count on getting assistance from a slower rider coming up from behind. It is my opinion that mountain bike riders should be self sufficient, so I always carry the basics when I set out - a multi-tool, one or two tubes, and an inflation device - and I believe that every rider who ventures more than a mile into the backcountry should do the same. One Thursday afternoon, I came across Mister Speedy parked on the side of a rocky singletrack with his rear wheel in hand, begging for a tube and a pump. I pulled over and told him that I had it handled. Smiling, I waved the rest of the group past and when the last member of our group disappeared from sight, I told him to bring his own spares and that I thought he was wrong to rely on others to carry his extra weight. I rode off and left him to walk back to his truck.
Since the hydration pack has become a uniform of sorts, most AM/trail riders carry spares and tools. That said, It still surprises me how many riders won't bother to bring even a multi-tool with them, and some groups are worse than others. Dirt Jumpers rarely carry spares, but they can be excused. After all, most jump lines are within sight of the parking area. Freeriders are about fifty fifty - if they are on DH bikes, though, odds that their owners carry spares drop another fifty percent. Only about three percent of big-bike riders shuttling DH trails or riding park carry tools or spares - preferring the walk of shame, rather than the un-fashionable look of a hydration or a fanny pack. And there are always the newbies - riders who may have some experience, but, due to the excellent reliability of sealant-charged tubeless tires and modern bike transmissions, have yet to experienced a breakdown.
DH riders, not so much. With the longest descents coming in under ten minutes, most gravity riders are willing to forego tools and spares for more fashionable attire - and risk the walk of shame down the mountain should the unthinkable occur.
I met three of those guys at Moab last winter - lots of talent, borrowed bikes, no tools, a broken chain, and a flat tire - and they were four miles out on a technical route. Our experienced guide gave the disabled party a chain tool and directions to a shortcut, and then he advised them to return to the trailhead. Feeling sorry for the youthful riders. I gave them my mini-pump, two tubes, and the same advice. Three miles farther up the trail, we were taking lunch when the newbies showed up pushing again and begging for parts. We left them where they stood, with a seven mile walk to the nearest road in either direction.
What all North American mountain bikers will soon be wearing: A small hip bag stuffed with a couple of tubes, a multi-tool and an inflation device is the minimum requirement to get your name off the parasite list. Food and water are also a good idea.
Harsh? Sure, but how does one learn the importance of being self sufficient in the wild unless he or she suffers the consequences of getting stuck up Sh*t Creek without a paddle? When riders who are either naive to the concept, or who choose not to prepare for the inevitable, become more experienced - at what point do they become parasites? When should those of us who do bring extras, just in case, play the good Samaritan card, and when is it OK to tell a sidelined compatriot to F-off and die? Those questions, my friends, are the subject of Pinkbike's latest poll:
A little much don't you think?
And yes, I do ride prepared, and have had multiple flats (3) on a ride and had to borrow a tube for the last one.
MTB is a friendly sport but it does sucks to have the same people always leeching on others for spares. So I don't disagree with this approach depending on the circumstances.
I always carry my own however, I've been in a position where I've used my spare tube and on a second flat, I had to ask for help. I offered Money for the tube which is at least some courtesy to the other rider, specially when a tube here in Oz is $10 bucks.
So, if you choose to be a parasite, go and suck some lemons!
What kind of dickwad leaves a rider that was a part of your group stranded on the trail?
You could try making him feel like a dumbass and say "Dude! WTF? This is like the (insert number here) time you've done this shit! Bring your shit with you next time or think twice about showing up for the next ride!" Then rag the hell out of him again while consuming post ride beverages and make sure he gets it. But don't leave a rider stranded like that. The f*ck is up with that. You must be some pretentious a-hole to pull that kind of shit on a fellow rider. Even if they did it all the time. Maybe they're broke as hell or crazy forgetful. They bug you that much, then just don't invite them anymore. Problem solved. Ride by your lonesome "dickwad leave a friend stranded" self.
Man what a jerk that guy is to automatically judge the rider for being a "parasite". I hope karma eventually gives him what he deserves, because I don't think there is any rider out there who hasn't been caught out without a tube.
If that were me you did that to,I would find your car and.......how many spare car tires do you carry?4?
I personally enjoy this community for he simple fact that if I were to forget a tool, or got more than two flats on the same trail, same day and got stranded, the next person down tends to be nice enough to spare me a inner tube or lend me a pump, without hesitation, That is what makes mountain biking a better sport than most others. Sure there may be people that abuse the kindness of the community to their own advantage, but this people, at least where I live, are rare and hard to come by, and the matter of fact is you never know what awaits you down the trail
Mr Cunningham: "No more mister nice guy" Alice Cooper
The pinkbike gang: "Give the kid a break" Alice Cooper
I have a friend that 99% of the time gets to the trail head/bikepark and ALREADY has a problem with his bike! He doesn't check the bike after the ride. Super annoying. We can never rely on starting at a given time because of him...
I tend to run my bike in bullet proof mode so only carry a multi-tool, my cane creek double barrel tool and sometimes a spoke tool.
"f*ck you guys, I'm taking my ball and going home!"
Seriously pathetically immature move. Not only abandoning someone, but f*cking lying to them first. Lesson learned, some people are f*cking scumbags, so I'd better make sure to have tools and spares with me. Would hate to actually need to rely on someone I had trust in, right?
To everyone (RC aside), if we see you on the trail, you are in need, and we can help, we will help. Don't worry, not everyone is a vindictive child like the OP. Most of us have no issues with stopping and helping someone out, even if they are a totally new face and not part of your riding group. I mean, why not? A tube's cheap, and a good friend isn't.
No you f*cking prick, you're supposed to make decisions for yourself and let the rest of the pack do the same. If you're an immature a*shole who can't share, that's all well and good but by waving the rest of the group by under the false pretense that you were going to help YOU become a piece of shit. f*ck you c*ntingham.
How many spares does one group need? As long as the guy contributes in some other way to group happiness let thebgroup pack mules carry the stuff for repairs. When I hit the park for the day I bring the tubes, spare tire, tool box, and anything else lying around we might need for the group. A quick trip to my car solves most issues and we get back to the fun. In exchange my buddies help me out with other stuff. Reciprocity extends beyond the trails, and is often called friendship.
Yes it is bad to leech off of others forever, but it is also not your job to deceive everyone else so their buddy can't ride along.
If you're going out for group rides on trails that go for many miles and you're all carrying backups save for one guy in the group (remember this man was a repeat offender even after being told) then honestly at some point you're going to have to make him realize what he's doing is wrong. Some people learn the hard way.
That said, I wouldn't have made it into some sort of immature "lesson" like waving everyone to leave under the pretense that I was helping him, only to leave him there as punishment. I'm sure some of the guys wouldn't mind giving him a spare. It doesn't always have to be you.
Honestly if you have an issue with a person like that, be a Man and take him aside.
Make it clear he's never going to be invited on future rides if he insists on leaching like that. If he arrives another time with no backup, he's out. Leave him at home. Simple.
Leaving a guy on the trail is never cool, it just creates a bad atmosphere.
I help out/offer help to anyone with a bike problem anywhere in any way I am able to. From trail side repairs to random beaters when I walk in the city.
Shame on you!
The leader/guide seemed like he was a 'rider' wearing a TLD jersey and all.
With no extra tubes they had no doubt suffered more flats than a hooker with a Dollar Store boob job.
So my buddy gave up one and then tossed back the money he offered.
We helped and hopefully that experience will have them preparing better next time.
First aid kit and the knowledge of what to do, how and when are irreplaceable. Time y'all stepped it up.
And off course water and little saw!or more if i want to go digging!
Multi tool,tube,etc are secondary for me!
I've completed my senior first aid course and would feel much better in an emergency situation knowing I have the items at hand rather than fart arsing around trying to come up with a makeshift solution. Sure you might be able to cobble something together, but if someone's been bitten, or impaled on a pine or olive tree branch that hasn't been trimmed properly and is bleeding out, then not only is the rider going to be freaking out, you're going to be freaking out as well...
And what about those who think spares come from thin air, the ones who assume you are their sponsor or something? They use your tube and "forget" to give you one back or even mention it. I mean, they are cheap but after giving 2 or 3....
" Dude, I got a tube, you got a couple bucks? or a joint? or buy me a couple beers after the ride."
If I ride the bike park with no gear then I assume the risks involved with that choice. I would never bother a well-equipped rider who's been carrying that pack all day to save me; that's just rude. I made my choice and I gotta live with a long walk down.
Fast forward six months into the future, and I run into them again, out on the trail, with a broken chain... One of them was a prominent LBS shop owner and had no way to fix the chain. I fished out a powerlink and as they fixed the chain I again suggested that we ride together sometime... Several recurring encounters ensued elsewhere. But never any offer of inclusion to ride, despite my good natured attempts at meeting up.
A week ago I run into the same guys, and the shop owner was trying to install a tube into the wheel of the same guy who I gave a powerlink to a year ago. Again, they were all unprepared. Again I saved their ride by providing a wrench to get the presta valve out of the wheel. And once again, they were uber-exclusive and snobby.
My question is this: Why are some mountain bikers such arrogant, superior, douchey pricks? Even after someone helps them like I did twice before? As a whole, I have not found the mountain biking community to be all that friendly or inclusive. It's sad since EVERYONE (even YOU reading this) was a newb at one point.
No worries though, I prob ride harder than they do anyways.
Thats a fair stereotype...
Take Cedric's video semi-recently. I understand that happened while riding, but the point here is more; shit happens. People go on group rides so they can be safe within a group. They can rely on others for parts, advice, first aid, and so on. RC's ego directly impacted this dude's day, and to be fair, the only thing he likely learned is that RC is a cock and not to be trusted. I'm sure if that underhanded move hadn't been made, someone else would have helped him (IT'S THEIR CHOICE, not RC's, who they help) and maybe given him a good lecture.
Point is, there's always a dozen ways to avoid dicking someone like this. RC chose this particular method as he was being vindictive, nothing more.
don't be a trail dick
Reading between the lines it sounds like the guy was told plenty of times. What do you do if you constantly tell them to bring stuff and they constantly don't bother? It sounds like what you suggested was tried and this was the last resort.
You do not rely on others for parts on group rides. Sure, if you only bring 1 or 2 tubes and they both pop, you can have one of mine. Snap your stem? I even have a spare one of those. Turn up for a group ride with nothing? That's fine a couple of times. Do it constantly, for a year, even after you've been told to bring stuff. Not cool at all and you ain't getting my help.
Also, bare in mind he lied to EVERY RIDER who went by, to teach someone a lesson. If I wish to help someone, it's my prerogative, not Dick's. I get to choose who I help, not you.
You do rely on others in group rides. That's one of the biggest draws to a group ride. I ride with a fairly large backpack cause I'm a bigger fellow (height, at least) and don't mind being a "pack mule" for my friends. They're my friends. I can carry shit. They don't want to. It doesn't bother me at all. My friends are worth the trouble, y'know? They scratch my back, I scratch there's.
It's not merely about helping or not. RC did one step past that. He REFUSED ANYONE to help him. That's completely vengeful and pathetic. If he is in the mentality of "f*ck Barry, he never brings his stuff" then he can either refuse the fellow the ride for the day, and say if he goes out, he does so at his own peril. He can bar Barry from the group next time if he doesn't show up. etcetcetc. There are ten million better things to do in this situation. RC chose the absolutely least responsible one.
He could tell the guy every day for a year that he needs to bring tubes. He still doesn't get to choose who helps the fellow out. People get to choose who they help. If he's really so pissy about a tube that he's going to screw someone over like that, he needs to take up a less stressful hobby. This is exactly what a molehill to mountain situation is, when you allow/propagate an issue to get to it's worst possible outcome. Worse yet when he blames the other dude. That's pathetic.
Its clear this guy was a repeat offender and had been told before (multiples before if you read between the lines), he was not injured nor was he in danger or low on food/water.
What RC did in this case while harsh, is often the way some folk learn. You can coach/teach/negotiate/guide them till your blue in the face, but sometimes the only way is to let them suffer from their own actions.
While a group leader has responsibility Sherbet, he/she can never be responsible for the actions (attitude) of every member of your group (its massively naive to think thats ever possible) and likewise group members should be able to take repsonsiblilty for themselves so they can be a positive influence in the group and not just a drain on it.
That's just biking though, I am as unprepared as can be in the other 10% of life.
i think a lot of the detractors in this comment section are the lazy bastards who dont pack their own shit.
I looked at him and laughed
Helping someone In need is one thing
But helping an arrogant jerk with poor trail etiquette well I'll leave them stranded every time
I too have my limits, as one who tends to have the overstocked pack, (I do coach a high school MTB team, so I have a full first aid kit, sam splint, tubes for various wheel sizes, tire/shock pump, food, tools, cables/housing and even a selection of parts) I do get more than a little irked when I come across riders who should know better. It is pretty lame to leave tools, parts, pumps, tubes at home or in the car and then have the gaul to ask someone else who has carried these things this far to bail you out... and not to offer the $5 or tallboy for the tube or master link or section of chain. You've earned the right to walk out. The walk out is also a great time for quiet contemplation, and provides an opportunity for the lesson to sink in, or as many of the comments here seem to indicate, foist the responsibility for your having to walk out on the dick who didn't bail you out of a situation of your own making. Go figure.
I'm.... Not... 12... Must.... Fight.... Innuendo....
:-)
This is my everyday ride kit that I carry
in my dakine amp hydration pack
Not light but I always feel comfortable I can take care of my self.
I ride alone a lot..
goretex ultralight jacket
glasses
a fleece helmet liner
Pump
Tube
Nytril gloves 2 prs
¼ roll of TP
multi tool
power link tool
patch kit
zip ties
first aid kit with space blanket etc
shock pump
power gummies
builders bar
handwamers chemical kind
lighter
3oz Nalgene bottle of fireball…
water of course
q energy 2 sleeves
my Iphone and gps
I'm a firm believer in karma, and I'll help when I can. Having said that, I would have no compunction about leaving a leach to walk if he was a persistent abuser of the group's more prepared members. I pack along what I need, and I think anyone that's going to trail ride should too. Gloves, helmet, water, food, tools: all are necessities, not optional equipment. Is my pack heavier than I like? Yup. Do I have to worry about being a burden on my ride mates? Nope.
Discover my pump was a busted piece of shit. Struggled 15 - 20 min to not even managed to get their tire inflated ... Note to myself , buy a new pump. Then they told me it's no bid deal their car was like 200m away ...
Ahem.
Ok, back on trail in the woods, was getting dark. Very dark. Very very dark. Didn't see a big fat log. Crashed, got empalled on my handlebar, cracked my sternum. f*ck that hurts! Could not breathe ...
Took time to get back painfully on the bike and hit home.
1st reaction: got injured because I helped two riders that did not need it... Parasites!
2nd reaction: would not have happened should I've had a good pump and a good light.
Anyway, I will probably always help. I've never needed help, but I'll be happy to get some the day I need it. Never rode with serial parasites though.
someone stranded in the bush, but there are too many crybaby fails in the sport and too many vest wearing heroes who are too broke/lazy/stupid/ inconsiderate. not talking about local quick rips, but in the deep backcountry, shit gets serious real quick. my 2c
if i'm on the DH bike, it will be the multitool and nothing else, unlikely to be able to fix a breakage but if something works loose or i need to adjust i have enough to be able to do it trackside.
If i'm on a long ride on the small bike, along with the multi tool, i'll carry a backpack with pump/tire levers/repair kit, selection of cable ties, small role of black electrical tape, adjustable spanner and possibly a chaintool, I dont tend to carry spare parts but with those tools i'll be able to sort out most non terminal issues.
I dont rely on other people on the trail and if damage is terminal then i'll just sack it and hike back to the car.
ok rc you just lost me buddie, you are officially an assole...
and i have thought you were pretty cool since about 1990...
No.
So the only thing you can get all angry about is the fact that the article could have been clearer...
Either way, just be prepared, assume the risks you take if you aren't, and help people who forget their spares IMO
Something tells me that he would rather be known as a dick.
But IMO, the only dick move was waving by anyone who might have helped Mr. Speedy past and then leaving him. But whatever, the guy had a nice walk back, it's not like he left him bleeding or something. It is very low down on the dick move scale, especially among the things I have witnessed and (disclaimer) taken part in.
Beside they have to carry a phone so Dad can fly to rescue....
as for the parasite, I won't let anybody helpless on a trail but a KNOWN repeating offender whose only risk is a walk to the parking.... I'll do the same as Richard
Can't say I've ever left someone hanging either, no matter how stupid they've been. Three hours ride into the Yorkshire Moors (or the Lake District, Highlands etc) is not a good place to be stuck when the weather turns, especially if you're not prepared. That can end in a call to Mountain Rescue or worse, wouldn't want it on my head for sake of a chain link or a tube.
Sorry dudes no more cool sharing dude here.
Now I don't think its right to intentially go out and think you should just expect people to give you their tubes or chain links but if someone's fongotton, well give them the benefit of the doubt and make sure they enjoy the rest of their ride
It also means whatever bike I go out on, the kit is ready to go. Yes, it means I have more hand pumps than most, but it means the bikes are ready to go whatever type of riding I feel like.
Minutes to the bottom. All tools can be kept in the car
I always have tubes and stuff for MY bike and it's problems... Funny how I always make it out without giving my tube away also... Does that say something about the type of rider on a 29er? possibly... Are they more prepared because asking for a different wheel size tube is harder than expecting everyone to carry an extra for them. Does it speak to experience or is it blind luck? Hard to say..
As far as firstaid gear I will offer my career paramedic experience and equipment/medications in cases where it will actually make a life saving difference like someone going into shock with a broken leg or having an allergic reaction. But I will mutter something about hardening up as I ride by if someone is begging for a gauze pad and band aids.
Am I harsh? I don't think so, I wouldn't even think of asking for stuff from someone else unless it was a multi flat kind day. But even then sometimes you just have to suck it up and walkout. I have plenty of ridding buddies with no knowledge but they bring their own repair equipment.. I will help them and teach them some tricks even because everyone deserves to learn from a seasoned expert. No tools, no tube, and no knowledge will keep walking if I pass them on a trail.
No Fanny packs!!! you shouldn't even show a picture of one.
www.chromeindustries.com/us/en/familia/john-cardiel
If you don't like riding with them because they're a leech, don't invite them. But waving people past and then ditching a fellow rider isn't what MTB is about. Maybe he couldn't afford an extra tube. Maybe he doesn't have a fancy small pack and feels embarrassed about bringing his ski pack on a ride; maybe he doesn't have extra tools at all and is purely dependent on those around him because he does other stuff.
I usually like your articles RC, but publishing this crap about treating fellow members of the MTB community cruelly fosters ZERO friendliness in anyone looking to get into the sport and only creates fear of rejection and awfulness.
Maybe instead of giving that 'parasite' a piece of your mind and the big 'f*ck you', you could have helped him out and been a bit compassionate while using the time helping him to help him also understand the importance of self-sufficiency.
Oh, and all you punks calling him old, grouchy, ect, grow up. Maybe some day you will have grey hair and a job riding bikes and writing about bikes, instead of working at McDonalds.
Note to self: pack GMRS radio in Camelbak as backup to the cell phone.
I have no time for the wan'a be's, some one who really needs help yes I will help but for the cool dude or shall I say dud, walk home.
If you get back to the car with less than half your water supply left, you didnt bring enough!
Trail access in Marin is not limited because people don't bring tubes on rides...
Your comment comes off like a holier than thou, we are better than all of you, and this type of thing would never happen up in "Annadel" (said with a pinky out and in a nasaly voice)
www.marinij.com/ci_23515305/novato-horse-riders-thrown-injured-after-run-illegal
I carry two now, just to be sure I have one for myself.
Going to start carrying a 650b and a 26"spare. Can fix anything that way. Works fine in a 29er. Haven't tried a 650b in a 26 yet, but I'd bet it would work in a pinch.
For Bikeparks, I usually don't take los of tools along. Maybe for big stuff like top of the world, but when the worst possibility is a mile or so of walking, I take the risk.
Spot on!
And IF you help that guy, eve by giving him the lecture, he won't get it! Next time he won’t either be ashamed to stop you!
So what to do?
Simple you estimate the situation.
-If it is “one of those idiots” keep on going. This one has a habit of avoiding to be responsible. He has to learn.
-If it is a newby or something unexpected / unplanned, then by all means do help.
But here, after the help, comes the second phase (more testing):
-Did he/she learned?
-Will the helped return the spare tube?
In my experience, all those years, only friends returned spare tubes. All the rest just disappeared. Sometimes I meet one of them, but they seem to have forgotten, so no spare tube back!
Ha!
I still cannot get all that hatred from various big headed sports. What’s the story here. Are you going to keep on ridding WITHOUT spare tubes, pump and tools (never returning the spare tube that was offered to you)?
When are you going to learn?
"when is it OK to tell a sidelined compatriot to F-off and die?"
Wonderful statement for someone inducted into the hall of fame. Maybe one day I'll find you on the trail broken or broken down.. but don't expect any help from me Richardo!
I also carry a shock/fork pump, multitool mainly for adjusting the seat (once I used it for tightening the screws on the stem) and a Victorinox knife with some tools.
If a group of you goes riding, whats the point in carrying 10 sets of tools? or 10 pumps? etc?
It's rock/puncture city there.
Language barrier didn't help I guess
Although I don't know you personally, judging from your Pinkbike articles & exploits, I would have expected better.
"I pulled over and told him that I had it handled. Smiling, I waved the rest of the group past and when the last member of our group disappeared from sight, I told him to bring his own spares and that I thought he was wrong to rely on others to carry his extra weight. I rode off and left him to walk back to his truck."
A little much don't you think?"
I think you deserve a open hand smack to the face and I hope you break your leg on your next bike ride and people just ride right past you. karma