I'm riding home from work and pass some lady stuck on the side of the road in a Toyota Prius. She's walking around the ditch on the phone and she has a car full of kids. So I flip around and go to see if she needs help. She's got a ride coming to haul the kids off and a tow truck is on the way...excellent...she has it under control! I wish her luck and go to start the bike up and leave.
crank...click...click....click click click....
That's just embarrassing. She's like "oh I have jumper cables!" We try to get a good charge from her car and get nothing, though...which I blame on her car being a broken hybrid, her jumper cables being dinky, and my attacking the positive cable to the rubber protective around the battery terminal instead of the terminal. So I end up waiting there and calling Kalee to come with my jumper cables.
While there I do happen to learn that the lady learned how to ride on a CL350...though she said CR350, but I just don't think that's a bike...then she traded it for a '77 Triumph Bonneville. She mentioned how people always made a fuss when she showed up somewhere on a bike and I nearly said "that's because biker chicks are crazy hot" but I decided it was inappropriate in front of her children....just went with a nod....but biker chicks are hot. This lady was like a 4 out of 10 on my "hot" scale...jumped up to a seven when she said she rode...8 when she mentioned "Bonneville".
Anyway, though, about the time Kalee shows up to jump my bike the lady's dad shows up to grab her kids. I pay little attention to them until the lady starts screaming holy hell. I turn around and she's running in from of her dad's truck screaming "stop stop!" My overall reaction was lightened by the fact that my first thought was "oh my God! where's her little girl?!" Quick scan revealed the tiny 6-year-old head still in the car and I was breathing pretty easy when the man backed up off my bike's seat, my helmet, my jacket and backpack. The seat pan is metal so that was just a matter of bending it back into shape. My helmet was scraped up pretty good but not crushed or broken...it just rubbed between the airdam and the dirt. Nothing else was touched...just grassy. The lady felt bad, though, and said she HAD to buy me a new helmet. I laughed and said it wasn't necessary but I gave her my number anyway...it's a cheap helmet and I have been wanting a new one for a long time and that conquered my typical reserve about being compensated for good-samaritanism.
Just all itneresting...
That is pretty crazy!
People are :cookoo:
Next time push start the bike, it is a lot easier than i originally thought.
be careful next time! :icon_lol:
:cheers:
Can't push-start a CX...just doesn't work.
I say be a normal HARDCORE citizen and SUE EM!! :icon_mrgreen:
I could...I'd really like a new backpack, too...mine's kinda tattered.
So the kid was in the truck with the stranded motorists' dad right ? And for some reason he backed up, right over your bike ? Was he making a 3 point turn or something ?
I'm confused how your bike got behind the truck or whatever - so everyone's ok, cool.
She offered to replace your helmet, let her do it, or at least apply what she gives you to a really nice helmet. She really did feel terrible about it. Every woman I've stopped to help has been very grateful. Most of the time they want to pay you for a jump, or tire change. I decline it. Guys are supposed to do that kinda thing. I've told the wife if she has a flat or problem and I can't get there, she's to stop the first guy with teeth and instruct him to fix her tire/problem. Figure the worst that can happen is he does something stupid and she shoots him :)
Got pictures of the damage yet ?
QuoteI decline it. Guys are supposed to do that kinda thing
Exactly,
that useful feeling of accomplishment after you've fixed it/helped them and a greatful smile and thank you is payment enough. :thumb:
No when I was sure I was staying there I dropped my bag, jacket and helmet a little ways from the car further into the ditch. My bike was originally there, and that's where I had also left the seat from checking things out. When Kalee arrived she pulled around behind the lady's car and I just pushed the bike over in front of it. The stranded lady's dad showed up and parked in front of her car and, when he had everyone loaded up, he figured he'd drive through the ditch around her car, my bike, and kalee's car instead of backing up and turning around. That's when he hit my stuff.
I told her I'm not in a position to decline generosity...I figure I'm owed it every now and then...but she wanted to pay for my seat, my jacket, my bag, and my helmet. My jacket and bag were unscathed. My seat was bent but she would never be able to find another one...I can't even find another one...and it bent back just fine. I told her I would only be able to accept a helmet, but I told her that if she changes her mind she doesn't have to call me. I told her I didn't stop there because I thought I had to, I stopped because I wanted to.
She hasn't called me yet...I don't really think she will...but if she does there's some decent Bell helmets at wal-mart I can deal with that only cost like $50.
the only time i've accepted any type of payment for stoping and helping someone was from an older guy, probably in his 70's. he had a flat. the little county highway was busy but nobody before me stopped. he said he'd been there 20 mins. it was hotter than hell outside. i got the tire changed(and busted a knucke in the process, i still remember tryin not to use every curse in the dictionary outta respect for the old timer). when i was done he asked how much he owed me. i told him nothin, that my folks had raised me to help people when i could. he kept on, insisting he give me somethin. we went back and forth bout 10 mins or so. finally he said, well, i got me some cold cokes in the cooler in the back of the truck. at least take one of em for your trouble. i accepted. :cheers: