Accosted by a drunk :(

[cusepack]

My heart goes out to you. I know only too well the emotions involved in assault. Everyone that has posted has wonderful suggestions. Keep in mind again, that in no way does this have anything to do with you, rather this is about him. Yes, you happened to be there when he attempted this outrageous behaviour, but had it not been you, perhaps it would have been someone else. Therefore, I suggest you still contact the police to advise them of the incident. This way, the area can be patrolled and, you may foil this man's attempt to repeat his actions. It'e relatively safe to say this man will attempt this behaviour again. Remember, speaking up is speaking out.

Please take one day at a time and know there is support out there for you, whether it be friends, family and/or counseling. Talk about it. Share it. Don't let it fester. And, let it empower you and other women as well.

Take care and know you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Kathryn

[Nanci]

EEEWWW!! Carry a cell and call 911. Or go into the nearest store and call 911 or ask for help.

I won't leave my bike if I don't think it's safe. Bring your bike into the store, and if they say anything, tell them they need to provide a safe place to leave it. Or go to the drive up window!!

There's a law in my city that allows drunks/homeless to be arrested if they assault (that would be any form of touching you) or aggressively panhandle.

I'm sorry.

Nanci

[Blueberry]

I'm so sorry - what a terrible experience!

I second what others have said - don't hesitate to call 911 or to run back to the store or to yell or scream or do whatever you need to do to make sure he leaves you alone. It is absolutely not your fault.

In the past, we've had some significant problems with very aggressive homeless and panhandlers where I live - I've had one threaten to pull a gun on me. You can bet I went to the nearest store (pre-cell phone days) and called the cops. They now prohibit panhandling after dark, etc. and the cops are pretty good about enforcing it.

I also agree with Nanci's point about bringing the bike into the store. The closest grocery to me has no bike rack and no good place to lock a bike. So I walk around the store with it. I have yet to be bothered (I noted last time I was in there that a bike wheel was sticking out of the break room, so I expect the employees do the same thing).

I would also call the store today and let them know what happened. They will probably be extra vigilent about keeping their store area safe if you tell them what happened - they don't want their customers to have to go through what you did!

Hugs!!!!!

[Lise]

Echoing what everyone else has said. CA in NC suggested telling the store management, which is a great idea. You can take your meds business elsewhere if you don't feel safe around their store. They may respond by installing a better bike rack in front of the store--you can suggest it, and see what they do. Best wishes, Lise

[Running Mommy]

Oh Mel, I'm so sorry. Yes, I know how it feels. It is an awful feeling. I don't really have much to add except that I'm sorry it happened to you. And unfortunately that near rape 10 years ago is probably the biggest reason why you reacted the way you did. It brought back those feelings.

[KSH]

Wow. Sorry to hear it! It sounds very upsetting.

A lady I ride with said she was in a situation once where she felt uncomfortable (out riding alone, was in a neighborhood asking for directions) and after that, she decided to get some MACE. That way, next time, she would feel like she could flee the situation if need be.

Get some mace. Protect yourself.

I hope you feel better.

[Pedal Wench]

I had a similar thing - I was in Vegas and my BF was sick, so I just started driving trying to find a drugstore to get him meds and fluids. When I pulled in, a guy approached me, but I was able to avoid him on the way in. As I was leaving, I saw he was still out there. Without a second thought, I went back in the store and asked if someone would walk me out to my car. Their security guy said that they've been having problems with this guy, and he said that I did the right thing and I should NEVER hesitate to ask for something like that. Listen to the little voices - it never hurts.

Thinking back, instead of that incident making me feel bad, I feel empowered by taking charge and listening to that voice.

[Nanci]

Pedal Wench reminded me- I had the same thing happen at a big grocery store, in the middle of the afternoon. There was a creepy guy by where I parked when I went in, and when I went out, he was still there, so I went in and asked a bag boy to walk me out. But the guy was gone.

I had an incident of "too polite for my own good." I was on a paved trail, late afternoon, after all the cyclists had gone home. Still light. I came up to a crossroad, and there were two teenagers there who wanted to ask me about the mile markers or something, so I stopped on the opposite side of the road I was crossing. I answered a couple questions, but they were making me nervous, and suddenly one of them ran at me! I was ready to take off, luckily, and I did. Then on the way back to my car I rode out on the road not on the trail. And didn't go back for a long time, and when I did, didn't park at that trailhead or ride that direction, instead driving an additional 15 miles to the next trailhead. Still gives me the creeps.

I keep saying I want to carry pepper spray, for people _and_ dogs, but haven't bought any yet. I think it would make me feel safer, though.

And to cure my fear of being home alone after people attempted to break in last fall, I now have a shotgun in my bedroom and know how to use it.

Nanci