I did a really stupid thing

I need everyone here in the TE community to give me a global scolding :o. Because of all of the recent blizzards, storms and the federal government shutting down last week, today was my first commute since February 4th. Yesterday, when I mentioned to a few co-workers that I would be riding in today, I got a resounding, "ARE YOU CRAZY?!" Traffic in the Washington, DC area has been a nightmare. There are still streets that aren't plowed; there are huge mounds of snow in the middle of streets and there are lanes of busy streets that haven't been plowed. So yes, this is the top story on the news everyday - commuter frustration.

I was both excited and nervous when I got on the bike this morning. It was about 29 degrees so I knew that there would be some black ice. There was black ice at the beginning of my commute but I was cycling slowly and I was very alert. So not a problem. When I got on the main road, I grabbed the far right lane (there are 3 lanes heading into D.C.) and I continued to look for black ice and potholes. No one bothered me. I leave so early in the morning (6 a.m.) so there's not that much traffic and no one is agressive. There was a stretch of a few long city blocks where I hit some slush. It caught me offguard - my heart skipped a few beats and I became even more alert. But again, no problems. I got into the heart of D.C. - near the National Mall. It was beautiful. The sun was rising behind the Washington Monument and the flags were blowing in the wind. I looked to my left and there was the White House. Wow.

I got to work, came into the building with my bike, was getting ready to show my badge to the guard and I went to unclip my helmet and...I wasn't wearing a helmet :eek::eek::eek:!!! My mouth dropped open and I was in shock. I rode 15 miles on streets with black ice, slush, anxious motorists, etc. and I wasn't wearing a helmet :eek::o. I can come up with a bunch of lame excuses but none are good enough. Fortunately, a co-worker who occasionally cycles here at work had his helmet in his locker room. Granted, it might be a little large for me but I have 2 hats that I can wear if need to.

I still can't believe I did it. So TE friends, let me have it. Scold me so I never, ever forget again. :p:o

:D You don't need a scolding, you're never going to do that again!

Good for you for riding, and even better you didn't topple over!

LOL good story. I'm glad you survived the ordeal.

I could totally see that happening to me--anything that is out of the normal routine (and preparing for an icy, dark, slushy commute would count) could make me forget something so basic that I don't normally even think about it.

Good for you for commuting in this mess, though! My route is far too dangerous still (most of the roads I commute on have only one and a half lanes plowed for two way traffic, and still has packed snow and ice over a lot of that) so I wouldn't even dream of trying it! In the city it seems to make sense, though--biking would be faster than the snarled up traffic I've been hearing about.

Before they heard the full story, my co-workers all asked, "So when did it dawn on you that you weren't wearing your helmet?" Uh...when I got here and went to take it off. And yes, when I went to unclip it and couldn't feel the strap, I immediately put my hands on my head to see if I was wearing it but forgot to attach it to my head! :D Okay, since I survived and I'm over my shock, I can now laugh at myself.

And SFA...my thoughts exactly. I realize that cycling in this mess isn't for everyone but I already thought that if any motorists give me a hard time, I'm going to shout out that I am one less car on the road :).

I am preparing myself for a very interesting evening commute. When I left my building yesterday afternoon in my car, I drove up the street and there was a huge pile of snow in the middle of the street. And it's a major street in Washington, D.C.! And if I look out my building, there is a street across the way that isn't even plowed yet. And the sidewalks aren't shoveled either. This is the way that my co-workers have to walk from the metro to get to work. It is insane.

I've come close when I've started a ride with something else on my head - buff or beanie. I've gotten in the habit of doing a three-point check when I start out - helmet, glasses, gloves.

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Originally Posted by Pedal Wench

I've gotten in the habit of doing a three-point check when I start out - helmet, glasses, gloves. Two are inconvenient, one could be deadly.

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You're absolutely right. I will be doing that checklist from now on. I put my balaclava on...put my glasses on over that...put all the lights on...said goodbye to my daughter and went out the door. Because the balaclava was snug on my head, I think I just assumed that I was wearing a helmet. I was so angry at myself when I realized what I had done. But you're right, lph...never again! :)

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Originally Posted by Pedal Wench

helmet, glasses, gloves. Two are inconvenient, one could be deadly.

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Getting something in your eye at speed could be more than "inconvenient"... I rank helmet only slightly above eye protection (if at all), since lack of eye protection can cause you to wreck, helmet and gloves only save you after you've wrecked.

But yeah, pfunk - good for you for riding, glad you made it okay and glad you have a helmet to borrow for tonight!

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Originally Posted by OakLeaf

Getting something in your eye at speed could be more than "inconvenient"... I rank helmet only slightly above eye protection (if at all), since lack of eye protection can cause you to wreck, helmet and gloves only save you after you've wrecked.

But yeah, pfunk - good for you for riding, glad you made it okay and glad you have a helmet to borrow for tonight!

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I'll actually go back and edit that. You're right, and I should know it. I got something in my eye on a ride, scratched my cornea, and still had to get back to my car, 39 miles away. It was one of the worst and scariest rides I've ever done. (To say nothing of the 2-mile drive to the ER with one eye swollen shut and the other tearing so badly it wasn't staying open either!)

Well, pfunk, utmost respect to you for riding at all.

Just pleased you did not come off your bike.

But wasn't your head cold, or did you have a hat on?

I wish I had the nerve to ride in conditions like you, nah, I'm not going to tell you off, I'm the opposite, when it is nice and hot, occasionally I have forgotten to put on my helmet. :rolleyes:

Clock

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Originally Posted by ClockworkOrange

Well, pfunk, utmost respect to you for riding at all.

Just pleased you did not come off your bike.

But wasn't your head cold, or did you have a hat on?

I wish I had the nerve to ride in conditions like you, nah, I'm not going to tell you off, I'm the opposite, when it is nice and hot, occasionally I have forgotten to put on my helmet. :rolleyes:

Clock

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Thanks for your support :)! I was wearing a balaclava and I think because I hadn't worn it in about 2 weeks, it felt warm and snug.

I once road to work, the entire way thinking that I needed to buckle my seat belt. I was laughing at myself for my odd fascination with a seat belt on a bike - the whole way, I couldn't get the seat belt thought out of my head.
When I went to take off my helmet - no helmet.
I'm thinking my subconscious mind was trying to tell me something, but I wasn't hearing it correctly.

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Originally Posted by TsPoet

I once road to work, the entire way thinking that I needed to buckle my seat belt. I was laughing at myself for my odd fascination with a seat belt on a bike - the whole way, I couldn't get the seat belt thought out of my head.
When I went to take off my helmet - no helmet.
I'm thinking my subconscious mind was trying to tell me something, but I wasn't hearing it correctly.

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Ummm, sorry for going slightly off topic but have you ever been driving your car along the same road you frequently cycle and have tried to go through a gap 3' wide specifically for bikes...........then just at the last moment thought OMG!

Clock

I haven't been riding the moto a whole lot lately....

but when I do, I always have a "moment" when I'm getting suited up for the bici. Riding pants/shorts, check. Jersey/jacket, check. Purpose-built shoes/boots, check. Gloves, check. Helmet, check.

.... Where's my earplugs????? :cool:

Thank god my mirror is attached to my helmet. I know almost instantly on the few occasions I've forgotten my helmet. :D bikerHen

Ha! I've almost done it, too! For me, it's the hat I wear under my helmet in the winter. Something on your head, so it feels normal!

Very glad it turned out well!

I do the ABC Quick Check but from now on I will add "helmet" to that check! That is a funny story, and I could entirely see me doing something just like that. In fact I used to come back to work all the time, about ten minutes after I left, to retrieve my helmet.

I guess I don't forget it anymore because I hang it on my handlebar when it's not on my head.

I hope you made it home ok. Driving around here---with all the tall snow piles, icy patches, and big potholes---is difficult and will remain so until we have a lot more melt. I don't have that long a commute, but I've encountered disappearing lanes and reduced visibility at corners, particularly in Arlington (I drive). I can't imagine what it's like commuting by bike in DC proper.

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Originally Posted by mickchick

I hope you made it home ok. Driving around here---with all the tall snow piles, icy patches, and big potholes---is difficult and will remain so until we have a lot more melt. I don't have that long a commute, but I've encountered disappearing lanes and reduced visibility at corners, particularly in Arlington (I drive). I can't imagine what it's like commuting by bike in DC proper.

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Hey mickchick - I made it home last night without any incidents to report. I was expecting to have a rough commute but surprisingly it went well. Traffic wasn't that bad at all (and maybe it helped that I was expecting the worst?). And for the most part, the bike lane heading up 14th street was clear. I latched on to another cyclist and we rode together for quite a while. I really miss riding on the trail though. My 15 mile trail commute has been reduced to a 9.5 mile city commute. Even though it's much shorter, I still get home at the same time because of all the red lights and stop signs. I can't wait until spring :).

Glad you're safe.

I could forget just about anything, and have done a double take on my seatbelt too.

I'm glad you're ok but it just goes to show that habits, even good ones, are not really habits. The one time I forgot my cell phone and I had a severe fall. I doubt I will ever forget my cell phone again. Either that or I will invest in a "throw away" phone that will live in my bike bag. Personally I keep a list for helmet, gloves, tools, pump, water bottles, spare tire, road id ,wallet and cell phone next to my bike which I try to read through each time I go out. obviiously that one time my brain obviously blanked.

marni

Glad you made it home safely. Thankfully, you found a compadre (safety in numbers)! Are drivers used to cyclists along your route?

I won't be riding outside until the snow is gone and we have a good rain to wash away all the chemicals/salt.

Potholes are really getting bad, both for cars and cyclists.

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Originally Posted by mickchick

Glad you made it home safely. Thankfully, you found a compadre (safety in numbers)! Are drivers used to cyclists along your route?

I won't be riding outside until the snow is gone and we have a good rain to wash away all the chemicals/salt.

Potholes are really getting bad, both for cars and cyclists.

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It seems as if drivers are used to cyclists on my route because I haven't had any incidents with any of them. I thought that my evening commute would be a nightmare because I'm doing 14th street most of the way home. The nice part about 14th is that there is a bikelane for several miles and that certainly helps. I really miss the trail but there's something to be said about cycling "with the people". There are a ton of traffic lights and when I stop, I get to people watch. Last night I gave a pedestrian a fist bump after he almost got hit by a motorist who slammed on his brakes - in the crosswalk - when he finally saw the red light. I joked with the pedestrian that I would have been his witness, gave him a fist bump and then he told me to have a blessed day - with a big smile on his face when he crossed the street. I was also offered free condoms last night around 14th and S. I assume the 2 young girls were volunteers with the Whitman Walker Clinic? :D They had 2 big bags and they were yelling, "FREE CONDOMS! FREE CONDOMS!" [I]That[I] put a smile on my face and no...I did not take any :D. So although my new city commute is interesting and sometimes a little stressful, I am really enjoying myself.
You're right about the potholes. Some are enormous! But I know where most of them are now.

I have done that once or twice. It's usually when it's super cold and I have extra things on my head (like a balaclava and hat and maybe goggles). You know, when it's extra dangerous to ride...

I have gotten into the habit of when I hop on my bike, I pat my head. I know I look silly, but helmets are my friends :o

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Originally Posted by ginny

I have gotten into the habit of when I hop on my bike, I pat my head. I know I look silly, but helmets are my friends :o

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I do the exact same thing. Every time. *thunk*

Wow!

I always do a mental checklist: phone, keys, gloves, helmet. (I'll know whether or not I'm wearing my glasses!). This was after I decided I was going to go out on the bike trail (involves driving) and realized about halfway there that I'd forgotten to put my helmet in the car. :eek:

Hey ginny - You and Pedal Wrench might look silly when you thunk your helmet to make sure it's there. But you didn't look as silly as me when you thunk your head (ouch) and your helmet is NOT there. I'm trying to picture what I looked like wearing only a balaclava and sunglasses. :p

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Originally Posted by redrhodie

Ha! I've almost done it, too! For me, it's the hat I wear under my helmet in the winter. Something on your head, so it feels normal!

Very glad it turned out well!

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I've done it before too. For the same reasons. The last time I did it, I realized half way through my commute and I was soooooooo nervous the rest of the way to work. I was equally nervous about going home and took a longer commute back to avoid any traffic.

Wagging finger...yikes!

I got to see one of those helmet-probably-saved-him accidents firsthand on a ride this weekend. As it was, dude had a nasty bump and a cut and some memory loss, and I shiver to think about what it would have looked like if he hadn't been wearing his helmet. And it was just one guy who lost control of his bike after hitting a patch of sand, no other cyclists, no cars, no factors like that. Black ice sounds scarier than sand.

But, hey, everyone forgets stuff sometimes. It's not like you intentionally didn't wear a helmet. Glad you were safe!

I took off on my new mountain bike the same way. Flip flops, no helmet, yeah... just a cruise around the hood, at 5 o'clock. I look up, cars everywhere. No road ID, nothing. Back home I went! As far as your ride...you won't do that again, I guarantee you!

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Originally Posted by pfunk12

I'm trying to picture what I looked like wearing only a balaclava and sunglasses.

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ONLY a balaclava & sunglasses? Well, I bet that did turn some heads. ;)

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Originally Posted by Melalvai

ONLY a balaclava & sunglasses? Well, I bet that did turn some heads. ;)

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That's why it was so cold! :p

This post made me realize that I have gotten away from my "helmet, glasses, keys, water bottle, gloves" incantation before a ride.
I'm in Baltimore today looking at the incredible amount of snow that's still there.