savethekudzu

What have been your commuting embarrassments?

Two weeks in a row, now, I've walked around the office with a black velcro strap around my ankle - long after I got off the bike. D'oh!

Amani576

Psssh... I laugh when I realize I'm still wearing my reflective band 3 hours after I get to work... and then don't take it off.
For me, the biggest embarassment was this morning, having to wear my reflective vest for the first time. I know I'll get used to it, and I know it's a good thing to have (especially at stupid dark 6:20 in the morning) but it's embarassing as all get out. It was off of me not 3 steps into work this morning, still moving my bike.
-Gene-

caloso

Commando last week.

jtarver

Constant sweaty ass. It was a hot summer...

Square & Compas

Try a manpon to control sweaty ass from soaking through your clothing.

xB_Nutt

I stopped getting embarassed when I turned 40. I wear tights in the winter and my girls call me a ballarina.

Sirrus Rider

Went to fart in a loud and boisterous manner mid-commute... It wasn't gas that came out.. Consequently, not only did I have to shower, but I had to wash my shorts as well.

BurnMyEyes

I have no embarrassments as far as the actual office is concerned, but last week on my commute, I tipped over, right in front of a line of cars.

I was dismounting on a very steep section of hill that I just didn't have the energy for. I wasn't wearing cycling shorts, and my shorts got caught on my saddle as I pulled my leg over. I fell over, still straddling my bike, in plain view of all the cars ascending the hill. As if I wasn't already weird enough for commuting, I had to be the guy that fell down in front of a lot of people.

JPprivate

at at light that just turned green, i got ready to go and i realized that i got my ipod headphone cable stuck somewhere and i went the first couple of feet across the intersection with my head right at the bars unable to lift my head/torso - until i figured out that while releasing the brakes my cable got stuck.

Just_Ryan

I don't really get embarrassed about it, but my top 3:
- Fell on ice in an intersection. Car had to stop while I got up. Then fell again while trying to get up. Slipped one more time for good measure (didn't quite hit the ground) before clearing the intersection. Felt super cool.
- Fell on ice in front of a guy out for a walk. Going slow, flat, not turning, but the road had a slight tilt left to right, and it was pure black ice. Front tire went sideways down the slope and I followed. Nice.
- I've worn packaging twine, a USB cable, and laptop bag straps as belts. If you're anywhere between about a 30 and 38 waist, a laptop bag strap makes a great belt when you forget to pack yours. A laptop strap isn't even embarassing. The twine is though.

prathmann

I just tucked my pants into my socks instead of using a strap. Sometimes I'd realize half way through the day that they were still tucked in.

mjw16

Recently, in an elavator, as I was leaving work, I looked down to see pubic hair sticking out through the front of my shorts. Initially, I thought it was lint or something until I tried to pull it off. I had just spoken with a lady in the elevator lobby. The shorts are fairly worn, maybe that's part of the problem. Gotta keep an eye on this one.

Luddite

Trying to open the gate to the secure bike parking at school and having my bike decide to start to try to fall over at the same time. I was growling, on the verge of swearing, unable to move when some lady came and saved me. I was more than a little embarrassed.

BigDaddyPete

Really cute girl pulled up next to me on her fixie. I was super cool on my 72 Schwinn with the moustache bars single speed conversion. Thought maybe we'd ride together, get a number. Completely missed the pedal when I went to start. By the time I recovered, she was gone.

DX-MAN

Was riding home from work one day, had to take the scenic route, as the MUP was flooded out; did a stretch of sidewalk (oh, hush!) that ended in some old, steep steps. I hung back off the saddle for the rolldown -- and my shorts (baggy) caught on the saddle, preventing me from getting back up top! Had to unclip and swing off the bike (almost fell), then redo the chain onto the crank...popped off when I unclipped is all I could figure.

When I was done, was when I noticed a guy at the bus stop, watching me. OOPS!

tarwheel 

Getting embarrassed is a daily occurrence for me. I park my bike in my office, which is in the center of a very large building. When I get to work in the morning it's about 7 am and there are few people around to see me dressed up in my cycling gear. However, when I leave work in the afternoon, there is usually a crowd of coworkers outside my office and heading down the hall. I always feel rather conspicuous dressed in my black lycra shorts and wild jerseys. I catch a lot of grief about it but I've been commuting so long now that I'm used to it. I always pat my stomach when I'm wearing my Jelly Belly jersey, which seems to be everyone's favorite to tease me about.

Chris_in_Miami

On Tuesday I attempted to kick a small cluster of leafless branches off the path while in motion, and it got hung up on my foot. Three or four wild kicks shook it off, and I noticed the line of motorists waiting across the intersection had a nice view of my flailing.

Since the branches were pretty thin, I'm fairly certain they were invisible to the drivers, but my little freakshow wasn't.

jdom

Never trust a fart over fourty.

Tequila Joe

We had a fire in our building on Tuesday in an area of the building near the locker room / showers. Security / Fire Department closed off that area of the building for the day. Since my clothes were in my locker, I had to wear my cycling clothes (lycra shorts, jersey and clipless shoes) for the entire day. I got a few comments on my ahem... "Package" from the some of the ladies. Fortunatly, I didn't have any meetings / presentation with clients.

Doohickie

That ain't nuthin'...

huie

Beautiful. Had some good laughs... especially the moments that were similar to mine.

Tipped over on bike... done it except it was because I was so preoccupied with sprinting home as fast as possible that I forgot I was clipped in at a red light. Yeah, a whole line of cars saw that one.

Sweaty ass... every morning.

Pubes though shorts... yep but I don't think anyone noticed.

Good times. It's all a part of life so that kind of stuff doesn't particularly bother me.

Sirrus Rider

I believe we've hit bottom..

rorowe

Wow, all I've got is being caught singing to myself in traffic (especially waiting at a red light). This is what I have to look forward to, huh?

no motor?

I'm old enough where I have enough practice at embarrassing myself that it's hard for me to do anymore, but I'm able to embarrass my girlfriend by standing in front of her house while wearing my riding clothes.

My first crash was in front of an elementary school when school was in session (that's when I learned that bicycles don't handle as well as motorcycles in the wet) and I didn't stick around long enough to see if I had an audience then. I'm sure I've done a few other things that might embarrass some of the younger members here too, but crashing in front of the school is the most embarrassing thing I can think of now.

CFXMarauder

I ride with lights a flashing day or night but one day I had forgotten to turn on the PB Superflash so while riding I slid off the nose of the saddle and lowered myself a few inches..From this position I can reach the bottom button on the PB while coasting..Got it clicked on but when returning to the saddle my baggy shorts caught the nose and I went from commuter to plumber real quick..