Matey on a bike

ALL too often cyclists, especially those in a hurry, come in for criticism, but Bob Patterson's story tells that they are not all the same—here are his words:

We recently did the Four Counties, and while working through Stoke Locks were assisted by a young man on a bicycle. He rode ahead and helped us set the lock for our approaching boat and on one occasion even called the local British Waterways men when a lock gate jammed.

Buy him a beer

We told him we were heading for The Star at Stone for lunch and being grateful for his help would gladly buy him a beer or three. We never saw him again!

We have no idea of his name,and we wondered if he is well known along this stretch of canal? We were certainly grateful for his help.