It started out to be a wonderful commute. I was so happy to be starting my day on the bike. The air was crisp and I was in a good mood. As I passed runners and walkers, I said, "Have a good run" or "Have a nice day". I made my way into DC and was about 3/4 of a mile from work - near the Jefferson Memorial. The street near the Jeff is one way - facing me - so you have to get up on the sidewalk. I realize that there is a section in DC where it is illegal to ride on the sidewalks but it's up near Pennsylvania Ave., Constitution Ave., etc. - far away from where I was riding. I saw a woman walking my way and she was in the middle of the sidewalk with her head down, listening to her IPod. I yelled, "Heads up!" No reaction. Again, "Heads up!" She finally looked up but instead of moving to her right, it looked like she was intentionally walking into my path. Of course, this is all happening so fast but I'm thinking to myself, "What is she thinking?! and What is she doing?! and What should I do?! For those of you who are familiar with this sidewalk, it is wide. Extremely wide. There is no reason that a cyclist should be struggling to figure out where to go when a pedestrian is coming towards her. As I went to squeeze by her, she punched me in the arm! Okay, can you tell how I'm feeling right now? So what did I do? I did a U-turn into the street and went back to have a little chat with her. I'm usually a very calm person but I was not calm at that point. Lots of 4-letter words spewing out of my mouth. She was ignoring me (probably couldn't hear me because of her music). Finally she says calmly, "It's a sidewalk." Huh?? BUT IT'S NOT ILLEGAL FOR CYCLISTS TO BE ON THIS SIDEWALK!!! Next time she decides to punch a cyclist, she might injure them. I ride on this sidewalk every morning and half the time, there are Park Police officers hanging around (since they are protecting the Memorial) and I greet them and they greet me. If it was illegal, they would fine me and every other cyclist who is riding on it. So that's how my morning started. And how is your morning?