Ever been bikejacked?

"Tom Keats" wrote

"Robert Canon" writes:
Some of the replies seem a bit classist.

...I really don't
see any classism in the posts.

I think you're right... On re-reading, I over-reacted to the low income
housing/superman training route thing. Even though it's not been my
experience on my particular route, it's easily conceivable that there are
projects in other areas of the country I wouldn't want to ride by after
dark. Now I'll probably get bike jacked on the way home tonight for being
all morally superior... Ha ha!

"curt" wrote
I figure it is going to be like the old west out there.
...heck the more I think about it, we are already living
like that.

Seriously? I seem to be doing OK commuting by bicycle and just generally
living life without operating from a siege mentality.

Dan Cosley wrote:
Anyone else have similar incidents and/or
better ideas for responses?

When a teenager, I was stopped by two other teens (both bigger than me) when
one of them grabbed my handlebars. One of them wanted to know what I was
saying about him.

I was totally baffled. I'd never seen this guy before, and I said so. I
told him I had no idea what he was talking about. That kind of ****ed him
off, and he tried to get on my bike. I don't remember exactly what I did,
but I know I was not going to just let him take off on my bike.

His buddy started to explain what I had done, and the lights went on. A few
days earlier I had witnessed a spectacular truck crash, and had been
describing it to a friend. The whole while, this guy must have been
standing where one of the cars came to a stop, and I kept pointing over
there.

"Oh, no! Now I know what you're talking about! No, man, I wasn't talking
about you!..." I told him about the crash and about explaining it and he
seemed satisfied. I never saw him again.

Austin

Dan Cosley wrote:
Minneapolis, Marshall Street, between Broadway and Lowry.

nordeast! that very stretch of marshall is where the *******s lifted my
cannondale road bike back in '96 .. my pride and joy while i went to the
U of M. i was busy drinking at the time. that's not a particuliarly bad
neighborhood by any stretch .. college student and working class, at least
it used to be. lots of artsy types moved in for the low rent in the late
90s. prob'ly ain't so low anymore. still has the coolest supermarket in
the cities, tho: Sentyrz. liquor & food. for minnesota that's a rarity.
probably cooler when it had the big sailfish, tho.
--
david reuteler

"Dan Cosley" wrote in message
...

Using the tracks was clever because a lot of people would probably
slow way down, but I normally cross at speed, coasting; and my
trouble radar went off, so I was able to just ride around the guy
with a friendly expletive.

Nah, just ride straight towards the ringleader *at speed* and see him jump
out of your way when he sees you mean business! ;-)

In article , David Reuteler wrote:
Dan Cosley wrote:
[snip]

i just caught that you're from minneapolis/saint paul. where was this
(assuming this was where it happened)?

Marshall between Broadway and Lowry.

mostly curious, i've never had a problem in the cities

Nor I, aside from the occasional car jerk.

in plymouth daily. iirc, you said it was an industrial area.

It's near the Marshall concrete plant, a few bars, a big white
business (name unknown) off to the right, and a few other things.

have any of those in the cities?

I'd describe "along the river on the north side" as fairly
industrial.

http://www.heartofthebeasttheatre.org/mayday/index.html

gotta get me some, uhh, brownies.

Not my area of expertise.

-- Dan

--
Dan Cosley * http://www.cs.umn.edu/~cosley/)
GroupLens Research Lab, Univ of MN (http://movielens.umn.edu/ * 612.624.8372)
*** Just a foot soldier in the Army of Truth ***

In article , David Reuteler wrote:
Dan Cosley wrote:

nordeast! that very stretch of marshall is where the *******s lifted my
cannondale road bike back in '96 ..

Bummer.

U of M. i was busy drinking at the time. that's not a particuliarly bad
neighborhood by any stretch .. college student and working class, at least

Nah, the people parts seem fine, but the business and empty lot area
is a little creepier.

I don't think of any really "bad" neighborhoods in Mpls, although I
don't have extensive knowledge.

-- Dan

--
Dan Cosley * http://www.cs.umn.edu/~cosley/)
GroupLens Research Lab, Univ of MN (http://movielens.umn.edu/ * 612.624.8372)
*** Just a foot soldier in the Army of Truth ***

Dan Cosley wrote:

I've had people try to grab me as I rode by, both in the US and
Australia, but fortunately I was able to keep going.

Did you do anything besides ride off? Did you file report(s)?

No, but I should have. It was a long time ago. I've learned a lot since.

Matt O.

It's getting mean out there. This was on a human-powered vehicle
mailing list lately...

Date: Sat, 27 Mar 2004 17:35:12 -0600
From: a guy I don't wish spam on
Subject: Warning: Assault on bicyclist

A regular customer at the ______ Bike Depot came in yesterday with a
huge bloody wound on his head, the conspicuous absence of his bike,
and
a sorry tale

Wednesday evening at ~9:00 p.m. he paused on E. River Road to enjoy
the
Mississippi panorama from a spot near the intersection of Emerald St.
.. Three youth (approximately 14 y/o ; white (not to bring race into
it)) passed him on foot - then clubbed him from behind him with a
sizable stick and stole his trusty Schwinn World Sport. He required
hospitalization; the twerps have not been apprehended; the bike has
been
replaced.

So, if you (like I) cherish urban evening vista: keep your eyes open,
your wits about you, and a hand on your best defense (whether conceal
and carry or simply a stout U lock). And heck- having a helmet on
couldn't hurt when the blows start to fly.

Gravely,

"curt" wrote in message
...
I carry a 380 with me. I don't have time to mess around.

How do you carry it? I have been considering doing so for a while, but I
can't think of an easy draw placement save for a handlebar mount, but that
is not really concealed is it.
Anywhere on the body is out of question, no? Too much sweat and the telltale
bump under the lycra.
Inside panniers is too slow, inside a handlebar bag is possible, but I hate
those boxy handlebar bags.
If it weren't for the concealement factor, I would use a GPS mount from
Garmin, very sturdy.

And where do you get the Ti bullets?

Rex