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!

[bikerHen]

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

[redrhodie]

Ha! I've almost done it, too! For me, it's the hat I wear under my helmet in the winter. Something on your head, so it feels normal!

Very glad it turned out well!

[Melalvai]

I do the ABC Quick Check but from now on I will add "helmet" to that check! That is a funny story, and I could entirely see me doing something just like that. In fact I used to come back to work all the time, about ten minutes after I left, to retrieve my helmet.

I guess I don't forget it anymore because I hang it on my handlebar when it's not on my head.

[Wahine]

Ha! I've almost done it, too! For me, it's the hat I wear under my helmet in the winter. Something on your head, so it feels normal!

Very glad it turned out well!

I've done it before too. For the same reasons. The last time I did it, I realized half way through my commute and I was soooooooo nervous the rest of the way to work. I was equally nervous about going home and took a longer commute back to avoid any traffic.

[tangentgirl]

Wagging finger...yikes!

I got to see one of those helmet-probably-saved-him accidents firsthand on a ride this weekend. As it was, dude had a nasty bump and a cut and some memory loss, and I shiver to think about what it would have looked like if he hadn't been wearing his helmet. And it was just one guy who lost control of his bike after hitting a patch of sand, no other cyclists, no cars, no factors like that. Black ice sounds scarier than sand.

But, hey, everyone forgets stuff sometimes. It's not like you intentionally didn't wear a helmet. Glad you were safe!

[kermit]

I took off on my new mountain bike the same way. Flip flops, no helmet, yeah... just a cruise around the hood, at 5 o'clock. I look up, cars everywhere. No road ID, nothing. Back home I went! As far as your ride...you won't do that again, I guarantee you!

[Selkie]

I hope you made it home ok. Driving around here---with all the tall snow piles, icy patches, and big potholes---is difficult and will remain so until we have a lot more melt. I don't have that long a commute, but I've encountered disappearing lanes and reduced visibility at corners, particularly in Arlington (I drive). I can't imagine what it's like commuting by bike in DC proper.