Hope it's not in poor taste, I am bumping this tread up to the forefront. Seemed to relate well to my latest adventures...

I've been riding to work the last 3 weeks due to the car being in the shop.(get it back tomorrow but may still ride 1-3 days a week while weather/light permits) anyway....

why oh why oh why do people on BART Bay Area Rapid Transit) feel free to touch my bike?

"OOOOOOH look at the pretty wheels" ...grabs the spokes...


"oooooh, look these are black!" (campy record brake levers) tweaks the brake levers...

"my bike doesn't have one of those!" trys to take the computer off to see what it does!

and yesterday....

"how much does a bike like this cost?" says a man who grabbed my handlebars unasked while walking next to me. When I told him I did not wish to discuss that he snapped "Oh, so you don't know. that's it" I stopped, looked him right in the eye and told him "I know exactly what it cost and why it cost that but I want to go home. If you have questions about bikes ask customer service at your local bike shop" and then told him where to go (no not that, which bike shop but tempted)

I feel like such a #itch, saying "Please DON'T TOUCH MY BIKE"

Almost had to get physical (use the martial arts training) with one guy who continued to squeeze together the spokes of my wheelset after being told not to.....twice. Don't make me tell you something three times ;-)

Is it because it's shiny and pretty? Because they know it's not like the Kmart bike at home but don't know what it takes to maintain? Is it because the Kmart bikes are cheap so they think this one's the same just prettier?

Trying to figure it out. Class issue? Upbringing? These are not kids, this is all folks as old or older than me (48)

I see few recreational cyclists on my route to work or in the station. Where I used to live I saw a lot, my commute to and from BART was on a popular hill training ride.

I do see folks for whom a bike is just cheap/affordable transportation, perhaps they can't afford a car or gas so most don't think they are doing any harm, a bike is not worth much.

I could ride my old GT hardtail mountain bike and people would ignore it but....but would take me sooooooo much longer.

For now on two people's recomendation (one from this board and one friend IRL) I've adopted an intimidating "don't mess with me" Oakland stare.

Comical, I'm 5'1" ...but so far it works! It's not the real me (friendly, cycling ambassador) but no one approaches me or trys to pick up the bike.

any theories?

well, gotta go walk the dog, ttyl