On the couch with Jasminda

Dear Jasminda,

I was driving up a long and winding road in my ute on the weekend when I passed a cyclist. She seemed to be doing it very tough and wasn’t making much progress. Should I have offered her [and her bike] a lift to the next town? I’m now regretting that I didn’t stop to assist.

Gerard P.

Dear Gerard,

One person’s torture is another’s personal challenge.

Although the cyclist you passed may have been in physical agony (her calf muscles screaming with each pedal push), when she finally reached the crest of the hill, she no doubt felt the elation of achievement, which would have sustained her through the remainder of her ride.

Unless she was sitting on the side of the road with a flat tyre, I think you were right to continue driving (even then, she probably had a repair kit).

Cyclists battle so many obstacles when they ride on roads — cars that drive past too fast or too close, roadwork, potholes, inclement weather, and passengers getting out of their vehicles without looking — that they are pretty seasoned (or soon learn to be).

She may have just been riding slowly to conserve her remaining energy.

Still, it was kind of you to be thoughtful enough to reflect on whether you should or shouldn’t have stopped.

I’m sure she had a mobile phone in her backpack ready to ring a friend or family member if the going got too tough (unless she was a lone tourist, and then your offer may have been more alarming than the steep incline she was trying to navigate).

If you are thinking of stopping for an exhausted cyclist in the future, perhaps just ask if there is anyone you can call for them or check if they have enough water and provisions to sustain them until their next rest stop.

A simple ‘are you okay?’ if it is safe to do so would no doubt be greatly appreciated.

Carpe diem, Jasminda.