thirdcrank wrote:I practised social-distancing long, long before Covid-19. Years ago, I asked on here about stopping to help female riders. Not any more. Eyes front and "pass on the other side. "
What was the response to that question? Genuinely interested what answers it got to result in an outcome of "eyes front, pass on other side".
Personally I think it's a balance. A group of 6 "club cyclists" (by which I mean the ones that generally look like they know what they're doing) at the side fixing a mechanical and looking reasonably competent - probably no real need for me to stop. A group of 6 dressed in the classic weekender attire of jogging bottoms and T-shirts looking a bit more confused, I'd probably ask.
Lone rider, I might say "are you OK, have you got everything you need?" which avoids any connotations of sexism or assuming that a rider might not be capable but leaves the door open for them to say "actually, have you got...?"
Equally, if it's something like Richmond Park and the rider has already had 84 passers-by go "are you OK?!" then it's probably not necessary for me to add to that.
Related to that last point - many years ago at a 24hr race, a mate was doing it solo. No issues, plodding around coping fine until about 2am when he was like "I can barely ride, I'm falling asleep on the bike, I'll just have a lie down". Warm night so he lay down in a comfy spot and was almost immediately accosted by a passing rider who slammed on the brakes, rushed over and shook him asking if he was OK, had he fallen, did he need a medic...?
Literally every rider passing was shouting "YOU OK?!" and he was more awake then ever.
on whoever it was who had spurned her help before.
