Conference noted::bicycle

    I tend to pay more attention to someone who does not look like he
    has things under control than at one who does.  If you were "on
    the ground, I'd definitely stop but "walking and minding your own
    business looking like you might be ok" might be overlooked.  Each
    stage in between, often calls for a judgement as to whether or not
    to stop.
    
    Unfortunately the decision is often also clouded by the group that
    one is with but I'll often say "To heck with the group" and stop
    to help if it looks needed.  I'm sure that some others are more
    sensitive to peer pressure and do not want to have to catch up
    or be dropped if they slow to check on someone.
    
    Then again if I see someone walking his bike on a hill, I'll usualy
    assume that it's the hill and not a crying need for help that's
    the cause.  I'll certainly look again the next time I see a walker.
    
    Of course, you could have tried to flag down some help, too.
    
    Good luck in the recovery.
    
    ed

    	Two weeks ago I was riding from Nashua to Derry, Derry back
    	Hudson, and then out to Litchfield and back. Somewhere out on
    	3A it started raining hard. I stopped and stood under a tree
    	for some 15 minutes until the worst of it passed. During this
    	time, two female riders approached. The first rider, upon seeing
    	me and my bike, immediately asked if I needed help. I indicated
    	that I had just stopped for the rain.
    
    	I appreciated the thought. So, at least one female rider is
    	not afraid to ask a fella twice her size if he needs help.
    
    	Scott

    	Interesting.  For me I think it has to do with wether I'm alone
    or with a group.  In a group, I (we, actually: NVP is very sensitive
    to this kind of thing) am always on the look out for problems with
    the riders in the group.  It wasn't until reading this note that
    I realize how much I ignore other (not in the group) riders.  Ed
    has the right idea - a cyclist in trouble needs help, friend or
    stranger.  Of course, when I'm alone, any cyclist with problems
    is a chance to stop and chat, and possible help out. - Chris

    	Your appearance is very important in getting people to stop.
    One day I was riding in Alabama. I didn't know the roads and bit
    off a bit more than I really wanted to do. I stopped and laid down
    on a grassy shoulder.  Twice cars pulled up and asked if everything
    was all right. (the bike was lying on it's side)  I got going and
    stopped a few miles further - but this time I either used the kickstand
    or leaned it on something so the bike was upright.  No cars stopped.
    A lesson learned re. appearance.
    	If you were bleeding visibly, limping, and pushing an obviously
    damaged bike, I'm glad I'm not a Texan.  - Chris

    
    	I just about always stop for accidents and for people who are
    not moving when they could/should be.  I am not discriminatory,
    i.e. I stop my bicycle to help motorcyclists and motorists, stop
    my motorcycle to help......, etc.  Sometimes I get a strange reaction,
    some folks just don't seem to understand why I'd want to help if
    I'm not "one of their kind" (whatever that means ?).  Sometimes
    I can help directly and immediately, sometimes I can just go for
    help.  I am confident in my first aid and CPR abilities and I'm
    a reasonable mechanic.
    
    	I've found people to be very concerned whenever I've broken
    down or crashed (more than a few times).  I was deeply moved by
    the attention I got last august when I got nailed and broke the
    shoulder - wonderful people just seemed to come from everywhere.

    	Reg
    

    I agree with .4, must be just TX.
    
    I used to live in Houston and commute a short 7mi from the 12000
    block of Fondren to the 6000 block of Harwin.  It took less than
    a week for me to get hit by a car.  Well actually she came so close
    to me that her RHS side-view mirror hit my handle bar and broke.
    
    I cut my knee, right at the kneecap.  It was so deep that the kneecap
    was visible.   I was writhing on the ground.  She didn't stop.
    It took about 5 minutes to get someone's attention.  There were
    no other riders around.
    
    What bayou were you on?  Biggest hill in Houston is the Ship Channel
    Bridge.

    re texas
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    -j
    

    I was on the Buffalo Bayou park path at the time, 5 mile paved loop
    from River Oaks to downtown.  No tall hills (which IS a definite
    bummer), but lots of short, fairly steep ones. 
    
    Well, stitches are out, foot works okay again, so I took my other
    bike out yesterday (high around 84).  So nice I almost didn't come
    back.
    
    Dave

    Let's condemn Texans because a few people from Houston didn't stop
    to offer assistance!?!  After living in Austin for five years, with
    frequent visits (and bike rides) to Houston, I can assure you that
    Texans in general are no less friendly than we Yankees.  No need
    to generalize.