We're all in trouble

[James Warren]

http://road.cc/content/news/84343-lack-lycra-lout-cyclist-not-wearing-appropriate-clothing-stopped-suspicion-bike

James Warren

jimcw...@earthlink.net

- 700x55

[hsmitham]

James,

I was stopped about a month ago wearing what looked like street clothes. They checked me out and asked if I had a felony record or was on probation. I have long hair and a beard so perhaps I too looked dodgy.http://www.flickr.com/photos/pedalpusher61/8752730708/ They eventually let me go on my way. I too appreciated that they were looking out for bike thefts.

Best,

Hugh

Sunland, CA

[Garth]

Not in my world .  To each their own choice :)

[Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery]

Awhile back, I saw a rough looking guy wheel up to my shop, take a few deep drags on his cigarette, before extinguishing it, and bringing his bike inside. To create the stereotype image for you: first thought was he was a down-on-his-luck Vietnam vet who'd had a rough life after the war, which is not uncommon for us because there's a vets housing complex down the street. He certainly didn't LOOK like a guy who'd be riding a $10,000 completely decked-out, no expense spared Specialized Roubaix Pro with Nokon housing and other bling add-ons. On the other hand, the bike had Straitline gold anodized platform pedals, which seemed out of place.

He asked us to "check over his bike". So I told him he'd have to leave it for a day or two, got his name and number, and immediately took the bike to stash it in the basement so he couldn't leave with it. He then changed his mind, and asked to get the bike back. He left with the bike, but now I had a physical description and a name and number I could give the police.

After he left with the bike, feeling sick that we'd let a bike thief get away, we called a friend at the shop where the bike was purchased. He laughed and said: "yeah, that's Dale, you should see his track bike."

[Ron Mc]

proof that they don't make Brooks saddles in England any more.  

[PATRICK MOORE]

I, in contrast, always have my hair neatly tied back in a ponytail and am clean shaven, and the police bow and bob respectfully as I pass.

Funny, I really think that the felonious appearance is all on the side of the billboard, lycra fashionistas. It's less the lycra, though I don't wear it, less still cycling specific clothing, which I do wear in cold weather, than the ugliness of modern cycling fashions. Happily, there seem to be signs that the billboard fad is fading -- retro look jerseys in the latest Co Cycl, for example.

On Fri, May 24, 2013 at 1:08 AM, hsmitham <hughs...@gmail.com> wrote:

James,

I was stopped about a month ago wearing what looked like street clothes. They checked me out and asked if I had a felony record or was on probation. I have long hair and a beard so perhaps I too looked dodgy.http://www.flickr.com/photos/pedalpusher61/8752730708/ They eventually let me go on my way. I too appreciated that they were looking out for bike thefts.

Best,

Hugh

Sunland, CA

--

http://resumespecialties.com/index.html

patric...@resumespecialties.com

Albuquerque, NM

[cyclotourist]

I too agree that some of Tim Burton's recent movies have strayed from his original version, have become trite and formulaic, but don't feel the need for the police to harass the poor man.
Vote with your dollars at the box office, vote with your dollars....

Cheers,
David

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[PATRICK MOORE]

If you saw this man riding down the street, wouldn't you call the poleece?

Dave's Tim Burton:

[Jeremy Till]

I can see Riv's next new t-shirt: "Rambling is not a crime!"

On Thursday, May 23, 2013 11:24:18 PM UTC-7, James Warren wrote:

[Kellie Stapleton]

Isn't that like profiling? (-:

[Liesl]

Ah, this profiling issue and the single stories we have for others...

When I think something is sketch, I mostly pay attention to:  Does the bike grossly not fit the rider?  Is the rider totally wobbly when riding?  (And of course, is anyone yelling, "That guy stole my bike!!!" )

Liesl Just-got-called-"him"-yesterday-at-a-meeting
Riv Chica Warrior

An interesting ted talk:  http://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story.html

[dougP]

I've been asked if I was homeless.  Hard to tell an Atlantis is much of a bike if it's buried under enough gear. 

dougP

On Thursday, May 23, 2013 11:24:18 PM UTC-7, James Warren wrote:

[Hugh Smitham]

That's news to me Doug. You told me you've been living outta the Atlantis :-)

Best,

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[George Schick]

Yeah, there are times when I feel a bit apprehensive about riding around the area on my decently equipped Rambouillet wearing jeans, sweatshirt, "aged" baseball cap, etc.  But then it dawns on me pretty quickly that few people around here would recognize the difference between the Riv and a Wal-mart bike.  (except for those on this blog, of course)

Speaking of the homeless, people who are wanting to do some long-haul trekking might want to consider check out some of their bikes.  I've never seen so much stuff hauled on two wheels as what some of the homeless do.

[Peter Morgano]

I had an old man struggle to understand how any bike could cost more than $200.  He just kept asking what my bike does that they don't, and he commented how I "wasn't even dressed like a cyclist."  To me linen shorts and a white t shirt are perfect for riding.

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[PATRICK MOORE]

That's because bicycles are "toys". $200 for a toy?

Now in one real sense, bicycles are toys -- if cycling weren't fun, I'd give it up in a minute. But they are not "toys", obviously, in the sense of "trivial", "frivolous", lacking in useful value.

"$200 for a TV? For a computer?? For a effing iPhone?!!" That makes more sense.

On Sat, May 25, 2013 at 1:28 PM, Peter Morgano <uscpet...@gmail.com> wrote:

I had an old man struggle to understand how any bike could cost more than $200.  -- 

[Michael]

It is surprising that the cops would actually have the time to stop someone on a bike for the reason stated in the article.

[Garth]

This story reminds me of growing up in Minnesota. One summer the "bike patrol" was invented and they tried to pull me over for not stopping or something, I must have been about 13 or 14 years old. I just rode away from them and went home. They knocked on our door an my mother asked them "by what authority are you hassling my son ?" .  That's just it ... they had no REAL authority !! 

Of course.... this leads to whole further point about our rights as sentient beings , as we are not our names, or any given form of identification. We individually agree to go along with the charade of it all.

The fear of a "non authoritarian" society is exactly what creates an "authoritarian" one.  The fear of crime is what creates the experience of it.  You get back what you put out ... that is Universal and absolute truth. .. and I do not use absolute lightly !

[cyclotourist]

Your mom is awesome. Question authority!

Cheers,
David