Parking: got in trouble...

[indysteel]

It certainly couldn't hurt to talk to the pastor. I agree with Mr. Silver that some churches don't seem to mind, while others do. When in doubt, ask for permission or park elsewhere. There's a church lot that some cyclists, including myself, use periodically. They're used to us and don't seem to care, but I wouldn't park there on Sunday. We often use church lots for our club rides, but we get express permission to do that--given the number of cars and liability issues.

When I first started riding, I often did a ride that was marked and maintained by a local bike shop. Instead of parking at the shop and having to cross a busy street, I would instead park in the adjacent neighborhood that is along the route. A homeowner spotted me once and asked only that I not park near his mailbox. Fair enough. A few months later, however, that same man approached me and told me that I'd been the topic of a recent HOA meeting. He'd been enlisted to inform me that I wasn't to park in the neighborhood--that the streets are for residents and their guests.

I was too stunned and tired to tell him to go jump!!!! The neighborhood isn't a gated community and last I checked, I'm free to park on a city street, even within a subdivision. It really burned me up that someone would be that petty. Plus, after having talked to the bike shop about the situation, we both agreed that the HOA was probably just a front and that it was really just this guy's beef with me. I haven't parked there since, but mostly because I don't do that route much anymore.

[smilingcat]

A few months later, however, that same man approached me and told me that I'd been the topic of a recent HOA meeting. He'd been enlisted to inform me that I wasn't to park in the neighborhood--that the streets are for residents and their guests.

It's not worth getting your car vandalized either. go else where. Also move your parking spot from time to time.

smilingcat

[Pedal Wench]

We have a ride that tons of cyclists do that starts at a church. When we're welcome, there's a sign that says, "Welcome Cyclists" and there's always a donation box in the lot, if the spirit moves you.

In general, we never park there on Sundays. Even if the lots empty when we get there, there's no way of knowing what's scheduled later in the day. We have seen signs on Saturdays that say, "No cyclist parking today" when they've had a special event.

[Geonz]

Give 'em a call just to touch base and apologize... and satisfy any curiosity about temperament
I parked my motorcycle at the church close to me ... to go to morning Mass. Yea, I had a note on it that I wasn't supposed to park there. I wrote back that she could chat with me - I'd be the one with the helmet.
I got an excuse instead of an apology back and reminded myself to remember how obnoxious that is next time I started to say "but I was just..."

[sundial]

Call the number, ask the pastor to forgive you and then enlighten him as to why you chose his parking lot. Perhaps he will become motivated to ride a bike when he learns you are a commuter. You never know what seeds you'll sow.

[Miranda]

Here's the latest update after calling the phone number on my windshield note today. It's a "no go" to park there anymore.

It was the Pastor that answered the church phone and I identified myself per his note. First, I apologized and said that I meant no harm. Next, I thanked him for not towing my vehicle. I explained my route struggles and said that his church local was perfect. I told him that I understood about the liability, but maybe I could sign a letter or note etc. if willing to let me return when they deemed the lot was free. He was very cordial, but not budging on the parking. I was about to offer the $ donation next, but since it seemed to be going no where, I just didn't.

This really bums me out in more ways than one. I have gotten kinda down about my cycling lately. Been board with my routes and trying to fight the busy roads to get to the good ones. This ride gave me an uplift. I just bought my first ever bike carrier rack so I could do exactly what I did this ride. In spending the $ on the rack, I thought, this will give me the freedom to explore new places that I could not normally ride to on my own. Mixing things up was a tip I read on here before, and it does help.

Well, my only other thought is to maybe figure out a different parking place on the route. I did think about the vandalism too. I took my mt bike to a new trail place recently as well. It's very isolated. Which is part of what makes it so beautiful to mt bike in. However, a couple things scared me that I should not be out there alone.

One, when loading my mt bike up, I noticed that there was shattered glass all over. Like a broken window. Yikes. I have my purse with me for the ID etc, but cover it with something in the vehicle. So, the comment in this thread about the neighborhood made me think of this.

There was a very odd hiker in the further point from the car. It just gave me a very weird vibe about him. I cordially said hello, and rode (as limitedly fast as I could on a rooty single track) away from him. The vibe told me it was time to get out of there. Then, as I approached the parking lot (bike rack on car, kinda obviously me, mtb chick) I had an erie feeling about loading up. That makes me think about parking places.

I must say though, it was so freeing being able to load my bike up on that rack. It's like my bike and I were on a school girl field trip. Goofy, I know, but maybe I'm not alone.

[smilingcat]

check with LBS (multiple) to find a route for your fun ride. And they might be able to help you find an alternate route for your commute.

And I too get really nervous to be out alone in an isolated places. If I'm with my friends or with a man its one thing but to be alone its a whoolleee another matter.

And don't get discouraged with the unfriendly church. It's his loss.

smilingcat

[sundial]

There was a very odd hiker in the further point from the car. It just gave me a very weird vibe about him.

Always follow your gut instinct and leave! There are far too many women that are victims of violent crime. Please don't become a statistic.