Parking: got in trouble...

[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

[Miranda]

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

Thx for those words of encouragement . The road that I started the route on with parking is one 9 out of 10 times I pass another cyclists on. These people have to come from somewhere? The LBS is a great suggestion.

[Flur]

I agree with checking with LBSs, or even with the other cyclists that you see on the route. It's possible that one of them lives near there and will let you park in front of their house.

You're probably better off that the Pastor ultimately wouldn't let you park there. I found the insurance reason a bit concerning when I read your first post - I've never been to a church that checked memberships at the door, so they surely have people that aren't members parking in that lot every time they have mass. However, there's safety in numbers - he may have been concerned that if you were parking there when there wasn't mass, or consistently at the same times where your car was on it's own, etc, that your car would have been vandalized. This is more likely if it's happened before, so if you felt that he was being honest, they've probably had trouble in that parking lot.

[Miranda]

I agree with checking with LBSs, or even with the other cyclists that you see on the route. It's possible that one of them lives near there and will let you park in front of their house.

You're probably better off that the Pastor ultimately wouldn't let you park there. I found the insurance reason a bit concerning when I read your first post - I've never been to a church that checked memberships at the door, so they surely have people that aren't members parking in that lot every time they have mass. However, there's safety in numbers - he may have been concerned that if you were parking there when there wasn't mass, or consistently at the same times where your car was on it's own, etc, that your car would have been vandalized. This is more likely if it's happened before, so if you felt that he was being honest, they've probably had trouble in that parking lot.

That is an excellent point. He did meation something about teenagers doing some damage in their lot at nightime. Maybe what you say then is dead on the $ in that he thought I might hold them responsible for vehicle damage. When he meationed this, I just thought initially that he feared I might do their lot damage. For the privelage of parking there, I would be courtsey as possible of course.

[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.

[Miranda]

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.

I read about a book on this site that I read just this very thing. It's titled "The Gift Of Fear". I'm not very far along in it, but one of the first things the author mentions is that the victims had this certain erie gutt feeling about their situation or attacker before the crime. I have had guys yelling out car windows passing on the road, "woot... hey baby!" or the like. But, they are driving by at a normal speed and keep going. Those kind of yahoos don't scare me, or have never given me "the vibe". Couple times on the road, I had a car turn around. That spooked me out, just like this hiker. It's an odd feeling to describe. But it is almost like a pins and needles feeling, or a chill that washes over your body. Even though nothing has happend, "yet", it's time to get out. Thanks for your post.

[cyclinnewbie]

I read about a book on this site that I read just this very thing. It's titled "The Gift Of Fear". I'm not very far along in it, but one of the first things the author mentions is that the victims had this certain erie gutt feeling about their situation or attacker before the crime. I have had guys yelling out car windows passing on the road, "woot... hey baby!" or the like. But, they are driving by at a normal speed and keep going. Those kind of yahoos don't scare me, or have never given me "the vibe". Couple times on the road, I had a car turn around. That spooked me out, just like this hiker. It's an odd feeling to describe. But it is almost like a pins and needles feeling, or a chill that washes over your body. Even though nothing has happend, "yet", it's time to get out. Thanks for your post.

One of the most valuable things my mom ever taught me was to follow my gut. It has gotten me out of a few situations that could've turned out badly. I hope I have taught my kids the same, especially my daughter. Our guts never steer us wrong!

[Miranda]

Just an update to my first post on this...

I found another church that's not too far from the one I parked at earlier, and was told not to return. I called the new church first, and explained my request to the secretary. She was to discuss it with one of the trustees, and get back with me.

I wasn't home to receive the call first hand, but they did leave a message on my machine that I could park at the church. Yeah! I think I will have to call and get the proper spelling of the gentleman's name to send him a thank you note, and maybe a donation check. We'll see how it goes.

I also found out where the mass of cyclist I see on that route road park. It's a local school, but first you must travel a very busy road from the school. If I can ever get the nerve up to do it, think I may join in some time to learn some new routes.

Thanks for your posts on this.

Miranda