Transportation confusion (mental)

I had the strangest moment last week of (very briefly) forgetting which vehicle I was using. It was just a millisecond, but I very clearly experienced having to think about whether I'm on a bike, in a car, riding my Xootr, or using my feet.

I don't normally drive cars, but I rent one when needed and I have driven a few times recently. As a pedestrian, I do jaywalk a lot (trust me: it's safer if done carefully, especially in my part of Manhattan). So I have a lot of practice at not doing what the sign says as a pedestrian, while I try to be completely virtuous on a bike. Xootr style is a cross between pedestrian/vehicle.

Does this ring a bell with anyone, or is it just me (and the relative newness of biking)? Maybe my aging brain can't keep track of all this.

Pam

no, now that i ride a lot more, when I drive, sometimes I feel like I'm on a little tiny bike and am a lot more timid.

Yup, the millisecond thing. Once for just that same amount of time, I was thinking I should unclip when approaching a stop sign. I was driving. For me, it was a great feeling, knowing that I cycle enough to be soooooo in the habit!

Something else, one time I went to the garage and my commuter bike tire was flat. I was completely panicked...would I be on time? I had too much to carry on my road bike. I changed it, got to school just as the bell was ringing and told my physics class I had a flat tire and was worried I would be late. They asked "Why didn't you just drive your car?" Wow! using my car didn't even cross my mind, even though I changed my flat right next to it! I can definitely call myself a COMMUTER!

Done that too! _ Forgot to work the clutch on a manual shift car.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by uforgot

Something else, one time I went to the garage and my commuter bike tire was flat. I was completely panicked...would I be on time? I had too much to carry on my road bike. I changed it, got to school just as the bell was ringing and told my physics class I had a flat tire and was worried I would be late. They asked "Why didn't you just drive your car?" Wow! using my car didn't even cross my mind, even though I changed my flat right next to it! I can definitely call myself a COMMUTER!

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That's totally cool. You should be proud! :)

I often catch myself glancing in my non-existent helmet mirror when I'm walking down the street. :cool:

Switching back to my one bike after a tandem ride I forget everything.
I find myself wondering casually...when are we going to stop...?
and then of course suddenly remembering that we=I will stop when I STOP...Oh, and FOOT DOWN might be helpful!

I have trouble switching navigation between my car and my bike. Places I normally go on my bike, I have trouble finding in my car, and vice versa.

[QUOTEI have trouble switching navigation between my car and my bike. Places I normally go on my bike, I have trouble finding in my car, and vice versa.[/QUOTE]

That is a phenomenon that amazes me. I walk or scooter everywhere, so when I have a car, I can hardly navigate. I stopped giving car directions in Manhattan years ago, even to places I could probably walk blindfolded.

My new wrinkle on this problem is that my bike, obviously, can take bumps the scooter needs to avoid. I am an ace scooterer, but lately I've been foolishly plowing over obstacles because hey! I can do this on my bike. I should probably invest in knee pads.

Pam