Commuting - I don't know who you are. Merry Christmas.

Are there any "regulars" that you pass on your way to work?
I have 2 ladies that I always ride by as they're walking to work and say good morning to as I get near work and a traffic cop.
I wrote some christmas cards and keep them in my bag so I can give it to them if I see them.

One says, "I don't know who you are but I see you out here every day. Merry Christmas. Take care." and the other says "I don't know who you are either but I also see you here every day. Merry Christmas. Take care."

I think everyone should at least leave a mark for people they pass daily.

Oh yeah, good idea! There is one guy that rides on the same route as I do that I see almost every day, either morning or afternoon. There are also others but I don't see them so often. Anyway he rides in ALL kinds of weather and keeps the same leisurely-looking rpm in all kinds of terrain... makes it look so easy :D He's probably about 50 or 55, doesn't have a flashy bike or super-duper cycling clothes but he's like a pillar of consistency and security to me and it always makes me feel better when I've managed to spot him :D I'll get a card tomorrow.

There's an old lady who walks her dustmop (or maybe there's a little dog under there) every day, and sometimes I see her if I'm going to work at about 8AM and wave & say Good Morning. Good idea, I should do that too :)

I've been greeting people for a while now. Only around here it is usually Feliz Natividad to most of the early AM cyclists. Feliz Anno Nuevo in a few days. A wave to the CHP as they can't hear you over their engines. One even waved back as he went screaming and flashing after a speeder on HWY 101.

I don't give cards to people I know. I'm not gonna give a stranger a card! Besides, I don't see any strangers on a consistent basis. :(

if there was a diplomatic way to also say '. . . and no, i don't actually want to get to know you any better or anything . . . '

Are there any "regulars" that you pass on your way to work?
I have 2 ladies that I always ride by as they're walking to work and say good morning to as I get near work and a traffic cop.
I wrote some christmas cards and keep them in my bag so I can give it to them if I see them.

One says, "I don't know who you are but I see you out here every day. Merry Christmas. Take care." and the other says "I don't know who you are either but I also see you here every day. Merry Christmas. Take care."

I think everyone should at least leave a mark for people they pass daily.

uh... they're gonna think you're a stalker... that might work in a small town full of ignorant hillbillies.. but no it NY i would think.

Great idea. There's a guy I see most days at a local park. He heads down there with his two dogs, some tennis balls and a raquet. He hits the balls for the dogs to chase. We always wave to each other. I've been thinking of dropping a card into his letterbox saying, To 'dog guy' from 'bike guy'.

There's also a lady not far from my house who walks her white boxer dog each morning. We wave each day but I'm not convinced about a card.

uh... they're gonna think you're a stalker... that might work in a small town full of ignorant hillbillies.. but no it NY i would think.

Talk about ignorant....

That's a very cool idea. Riding a MUP each day I see perhaps a half dozen people regularly. Of course since they are usually riding the opposite direction, giving them a card could be tough. I always make it a point to say hello, so maybe on Friday I'll toss in a Merry Christmas. Seems like a good time to add a little extra pleasantry to the day. Slvoid, let us know how your card giving goes.

There's a guy that I see every once in a while, but I drop him every chance I get:D

Disclaimer: I only do this because the first time I met him he tried to drop me (I was on a mtn. bike and he was on a roadie) and wasn't very friendly. So now I rub it in every chance I get. :D

Maybe I should give him a card with some inspirational saying ;)

That's a great idea slvoid!

I would consider getting a card that says "Happy Holidays" to keep from offending anyone, and taking away good results from a good intention. Just an idea.

Here's another thought along those lines.

I don't really "know" forum members. But over time you do learn about each other a little bit. I have learned a lot from this forum and had hours of entertainment. I think you do tend to find people who are interested in the same kind of things as you are. And that's very interesting, and helpful. Sometimes it's hilarious too.
I wish I had a chance to say this to sydney too.

To all BF members "HAPPY HOLIDAYS" and thanks for hours of interesting conversation, more knowledge about bike related subjects, and some good laughs.

Good idea. There's nothing wrong with being nice.

I think I'll do a New Years card, since I'm too disorganized to get cards before Christmas. Next week...yeah, next week.

uh... they're gonna think you're a stalker... that might work in a small town full of ignorant hillbillies.. but no it NY i would think.

I disagree. When I lived in Brooklyn, I would regularly say hello to the strangers I saw every day - folks at the bus stop, token guy in the subway, cashier at the grocery, lady walking to work as I left my girlfriend's apartment at 4:30 am every day...

New York City is so crowded that people are forced to play nice with each other without becoming friends - a sort of respectful distance that you gotta keep when you're packed shoulder to shoulder waiting to cross the street.

This sort of interaction is missing from a lot of the rest of the US, maybe because people spend so much time isolated in their cars, getting mad at each other. Since leaving NYC, I have learned not to talk to strangers, because they'll either call the police, or stop and tell you their life's story. Or beep their horn at you.

When I was in Chicago, I would pass the cops on my bike during the winter months. They'd be out in the cold directing traffic and I felt so bad that I would sometimes take my starbucks card into starbucks and get them a nice hot cup of coffee or hot chocolate and bring it to them. Lots of big smiles from that one.

Koffee

Talk about ignorant....

Sorry,hadn't had my coffee yet this morning...MERRY CHISTMAS,MERTON!!!!!!!!

Some days I want to be invisible, and don't want anyone to acknowledge my existance. Some days I want attention and wish someone would talk to me to. Lately, the former happens more often than the latter.

Either way, if someone gave me a card like slvoid, it would make me happy and I'd probably tell everyone about it.

If slvoid was a hot girl and gave me a card, I'd be appreciative.

Odds are, if someone handed a NYC officer a cup of coffee out of the blue.. it's poisoned. :p


When I was in Chicago, I would pass the cops on my bike during the winter months. They'd be out in the cold directing traffic and I felt so bad that I would sometimes take my starbucks card into starbucks and get them a nice hot cup of coffee or hot chocolate and bring it to them. Lots of big smiles from that one.

Koffee

What if I'm not a hot girl... what if I'm not even a girl...


If slvoid was a hot girl and gave me a card, I'd be appreciative.

Odds are, if someone handed a NYC officer a cup of coffee out of the blue.. it's poisoned. :p

I thought about that. I usually say hello to them and chat for a minute, then head over to Starbucks. I get two cups of whatever I'm getting, then come out and let them know I've got something to drink and to choose one cup for themselves. Then I'll stand there and drink at least a few sips of the one they don't choose. I think it helps- shoot, if they chose the non-poisoned one, that would mean if I started drinking, I'd be going into convulsions by the time I rode away.

It also helps to see that I'm usually at that intersection several times a week- after you're passing them in the wintertime every day, they usually know you at least visually. How many black women are on silver hybrids in the dead of winter at the intersection of Michigan Avenue and Chestnut, really? I'm a bit obvious, I would think...

Koffee

Heh, slvoid, I didn't realize you were such a softie. One minute you're ready to pull out a .44 and cap some motorist, the next you're spreading peace, love and happiness. Quite a contrast!

Me? I gave the Fresh Direct delivery guy a Christmas card with a little tip stuffed inside, along with a baggie of homemade Christmas cookies. There will be others who receive the same (for example, my FedEx guy is great, big bag of cookies for him!). I never really passed any regulars on my commute, but I will keep your idea in mind for the future!

Oh, and Merry Christmas and all that good stuff to you all. :)

This sort of interaction is missing from a lot of the rest of the US, maybe because people spend so much time isolated in their cars, getting mad at each other. Since leaving NYC, I have learned not to talk to strangers, because they'll either call the police, or stop and tell you their life's story. Or beep their horn at you.

No kidding. Look at how well we're handling the transit strike. NYCers are a good bunch, with bad apples like any other place. It's hard not to be open-minded in a place as cosmopolitan as NYC, after all. One of my great pleasures in living here is to walk down the street and in minutes hear conversations in 4+ different languages, just in my neighborhood (typically English, Spanish, Russian and Yiddish, if you're wondering). We all get along very well here, thanks. The bad rep we get is starting to get on my nerves!

The only regular that is on my route, is only a warm weather kinda cyclist. If I were to see him, my card's message would look like this....
"Dear dump hat wearing old man on a bike,
Happy Holidays.
Sincerely,
Fellow Cyclist
p.s - You are suppose to ride with the traffic not against the traffic. Oh and get of the sidewalk. "

Spread the love dudes, spread the love. I vote to chuck a chrismas card into the window of n e cager that passes too close (Mebbe with a message that says 'I'd like to wish you a merry chrismas before you kill me' type of thing). Like I said Spread the love...

p.s. I'm not a christian, so ill just say to yall, happy holidays...

I thought about that. I usually say hello to them and chat for a minute, then head over to Starbucks. I get two cups of whatever I'm getting, then come out and let them know I've got something to drink and to choose one cup for themselves. Then I'll stand there and drink at least a few sips of the one they don't choose. I think it helps- shoot, if they chose the non-poisoned one, that would mean if I started drinking, I'd be going into convulsions by the time I rode away.
Koffee
Cool. You give them a 50-50 chance of survival.

Merry merry, Koffee!

Heh, slvoid, I didn't realize you were such a softie.

Don't go there... grrr..

I think everyone should at least leave a mark for people they pass daily.
Great bike P.R.! I never stop but I try to wave at every considerate pedestrian, cyclist, and motorist. I know motorists are SUPPOSED to stop at a stop sign and not kill me, but I always wave anyway. Positive reinforcement.

I am all alone in my roads ..... -sigh- .... I wish I could commute with someone else.

I thought about that. I usually say hello to them and chat for a minute, then head over to Starbucks. I get two cups of whatever I'm getting, then come out and let them know I've got something to drink and to choose one cup for themselves. Then I'll stand there and drink at least a few sips of the one they don't choose. I think it helps- shoot, if they chose the non-poisoned one, that would mean if I started drinking, I'd be going into convulsions by the time I rode away.
Unless, of course, you had spent the last few years developing a resistance to Iocaine powder. INCONCEIVABLE!!!!

:D

I am all alone in my roads ..... -sigh- .... I wish I could commute with someone else.

yeah that would be fun particularly if the other person rides close to your speed.

What powder? I might use that on my coworkers...


Unless, of course, you had spent the last few years developing a resistance to Iocaine powder. INCONCEIVABLE!!!!

:D

Are there any "regulars" that you pass on your way to work?
I have 2 ladies that I always ride by as they're walking to work and say good morning to as I get near work and a traffic cop.
I wrote some christmas cards and keep them in my bag so I can give it to them if I see them.

One says, "I don't know who you are but I see you out here every day. Merry Christmas. Take care." and the other says "I don't know who you are either but I also see you here every day. Merry Christmas. Take care."

I think everyone should at least leave a mark for people they pass daily.

I think that's a FABULOUS idea! I think it falls under that "random acts of kindness," thing that was started a few years ago. And, what better time than at Christmas! And, no, if I saw you every day, riding to work, I wouldn't think you were a stalker. Merry Christmas! :)

What powder? I might use that on my coworkers...

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093779/ ;) Highly quotable film. I recommend watching it with a bag of peanuts. I mean it.

lol ... a few months ago they aired that movie pretty much every single freakin' day :rolleyes: I never thought I'd ever get tired of hearing "As you wish"

I be more than happy to accept and sip a hot cup of coffee..... with Koffee? (hmm, go figure)

Merry Christmas. :)

I am all alone in my roads ..... -sigh- .... I wish I could commute with someone else.

If you move a couple hours north of your current location I would consider commuting with you! But, you would probably drop me so quickly you wouldn't even notice. ;)

And based on your signature line, I think that you would find a hill or two here worth your time. :D

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093779/ ;) Highly quotable film. I recommend watching it with a bag of peanuts. I mean it.

I.... still don't get it...

What if I'm not a hot girl... what if I'm not even a girl...
I'd be appreciative still, but I'd hide it behind a macho manly exterior while internally dealing w/ feelings of confusion.

I.... still don't get it...

pinkrobe: I can't compete with you physically, and you're no match for my brains.
slvoid: You're that smart?
pinkrobe: Let me put it this way. Have you ever heard of Plato, Aristotle, Socrates?
slvoid: Yes.
pinkrobe: Morons.

The Princess Bride (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093779/quotes)

I thought about that. I usually say hello to them and chat for a minute, then head over to Starbucks. I get two cups of whatever I'm getting, then come out and let them know I've got something to drink and to choose one cup for themselves. Then I'll stand there and drink at least a few sips of the one they don't choose. I think it helps- shoot, if they chose the non-poisoned one, that would mean if I started drinking, I'd be going into convulsions by the time I rode away.

It also helps to see that I'm usually at that intersection several times a week- after you're passing them in the wintertime every day, they usually know you at least visually. How many black women are on silver hybrids in the dead of winter at the intersection of Michigan Avenue and Chestnut, really? I'm a bit obvious, I would think...

Koffee


This is a great idea, unless of course, both coffees have iocane powder in them.

I generally see the same local transit bus picking up special needs children for school on my pre-work circuits around the north end of town. The driver always smiles and waves.

Are there any "regulars" that you pass on your way to work?
I have 2 ladies that I always ride by as they're walking to work and say good morning to as I get near work and a traffic cop.
I wrote some christmas cards and keep them in my bag so I can give it to them if I see them.

One says, "I don't know who you are but I see you out here every day. Merry Christmas. Take care." and the other says "I don't know who you are either but I also see you here every day. Merry Christmas. Take care."

I think everyone should at least leave a mark for people they pass daily.

I don't know you very well. Merry Christmas!

I don't know you either but keep it bright out there. Merry Christmas.


I don't know you very well. Merry Christmas!