I did a really stupid thing

[pfunk12]

I need everyone here in the TE community to give me a global scolding . 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 !!! 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 . 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.

[lph]

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!

[Biciclista]

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

[sfa]

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.

[pfunk12]

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! 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.

[Pedal Wench]

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.

[pfunk12]

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.

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!

[OakLeaf]

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

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!

[Pedal Wench]

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!

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!)

[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.

Clock

[pfunk12]

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.

Clock

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.

[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.

[ClockworkOrange]

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.

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

[OakLeaf]

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?????

[bikerHen]

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