Seattle Forrest

Yesterday, on the way home, I was waiting in the rightmost left-turn lane, when I heard "Sir? Sir!" behind me. Naturally, I thought "Here we go..." and that somebody was about to lecture me about how I shouldn't have my bike in the road, should have a helmet on, or something. I didn't want to acknowledge the person, but I did.

"Can you tell me how to get to Seattle Center?" I told the lady I needed a moment to catch my breath, because I'd just sprinted up a hill, and that she should pull over after the light so we don't block the traffic behind us. She was in the other left lane, so we both pulled over after the turn. I have a city map in my pannier ( my commuter is also my rain bike ), so I showed her where we were, where she's trying to get, and pointed out what would be the easiest route for her to follow. I told her she'd only be going through "good neighborhoods," so she could stop for directions if she got lost (again).

As we went our separate ways, the lady told me "You bike people are so nice! I travel for business, and people in cars with the windows rolled up are unapproachable. But you folks on your bikes, people can talk to you. And you know your way around. Thanks."

I thought that was cool!

slcbob

Very nice.

But one clarification please....in Seattle, isn't EVERY bike your rain bike?

calamarichris

Approachability is one thing I hate about being a cyclist & motorcyclist. People think they can just interact with us at any time!

Haha--one evening the week before last, I was in a left-turn lane behind an SUV with a surfboard poking out his open rear window on El Camino Real right here in Carlsbad, not too far from the beach. I glanced and noticed his wallet and mobile-internet device still sitting on his bumper!
The light was just about to change, so I grabbed the items, rolled forward, tapped on his window... He glanced at me, looked annoyed, and went back to eyes-front. I tapped again and said aloud, (while holding up his wallet & mobile device) "Today is your lucky day man!"
He looked startled, annoyed and was going into escape mode. But his darting eyes finally fell on his wallet & phone. He finally rolled his window down and rolled his eyes when he said "Thanks."

He attempted to pull over, presumably to thank me, but I had to turn right immediately after that intersection and just gave him a wave.

jdgesus 

i get asked all the time for directions here in seattle when im on bike. never when im footing it.

most seattle ppl are standoffish, so the "you bike ppl are so nice" comment comes from most ppl brushing her off

gholt

I haven't been asked for directions since I live in Ogden about 10 years ago. As, I remember, she was really nice about it.

Seattle Forrest

Yes. Nothing to see here, move along folks. If people in the rest of the country thought otherwise, this place would be as bad as LA. A local group has a line in one of their songs: "People don't be knowin' 'bout the best-kept; ain't nuthin' like summer in the Northwest."

My first year in Seattle, we got 100 sunny days in a row in the summer. In June, the sun goes down at around 9:30 pm, and twilight lasts until about 11 pm. But my god do we pay in the winter.

exile

I get more compliments on my gear and am usually more approachable than someone in a car. I get asked by pedestrians, lost cagers, and even truck drivers how to get somewhere. I also like motorcyclists. They always ask how fast i can go, if I want to race, give a thumbs up or nod, or ask about my mud flaps. Most pedestrians ask about my lights (2 P7's plus multiple taillights) or say nice bike.

AdamDZ

Yeah, now that you mentioned it: I get often asked for directions - by people in cars - when I'm on a bike. Hardly ever when driving.

Adam

Fizzaly

I couldnt agree more with ya guys i guess since were on bikes we know where were going? I get asked for directions at least a few times a month, and really boise not all that hard to get around.

Fizzaly

I get really confused with boise being considered northwest, our winter is very sim. as seattle but thats about it.

thompsonpost

Damn I miss scooting around Seattle and Reiter Rd. outside of Goldbar.

Catgrrl70

Yeah, I get asked for directions too. Both peds, drivers and sometimes other cyclists. The last time I was asked a nice man was completely confused about how to get to Pike Market. I gave him rough directions, turn right at next light, go straight to 1st Ave and you are there (they were heading down Stewart St). I added that he could follow me if he liked but to NOT turn where I turn off...keep going. He repeated my directions, to a "T" even to the point of not following me when I turned left...yes, keep going to 1st Ave. He didn't really bat an eye that I suggested he follow me as I was on a bike and all.

Needless to say he did well until he followed me as I made my left turn. He ended up in the traffic nightmare that is 5th Ave in rush hour, in the far left lane with no way out. At that point I couldn't catch him since I then had to make another turn myself. Felt bad for the guy b/c he was so nice.

nelson249

The only bad thing is that when I am on the bike I get into 'bike' mode and sometimes give a car driver directions that won't work with four wheeled vehicles. I only realize after I have sent them on their way and then I feel bad. I once gave incorrect directions to a tourist with out of province plates in St John's (a city notorious for being poorly signed) and I worried that they would think I was being a difficult local.

Titmawz

WIN!

DataJunkie

I am only asked for directions when I am in cities I am not familiar with.

Seattle Forrest

The only thing anyone ever asks me when I'm driving is "Excuse me! Do you have any grey pupon?" ( I'm lying: the only time someone has ever said that to me, I was in a kayak and he was in a motor boat. )

Andy_K 

That sounds familiar. I moved to Portland in June of '95 and got completely spoiled by the summer. There were entire weeks when I didn't even see a cloud. Then it rained something like 50 consecutive days without exception from late October to mid December, which I thought was just a freak occurance. Now I know, that's just what falwinterspring is like here.

thompsonpost

I moved from Seattle to Chattanooga in 2001 to stay, and I have to say when it rains out here, it's no boring affair. More in the summer that thw winter. Rivers show up in the street gutters. Traffic on the freeways slow to 25 mph. But then, in the summer when it gets hot, it's brutal. If I left Chattanooga to go back to Seattle, the weather would be the sole reason.

Well, maybe too many mullets to not laugh at would be part of it.

elkootcho

I had an old guy roll down his window and ask what team I rode for. I replied that I was just commuting to work. He said he used to race and that I had a "nice spin". I assume it was a compliment and not a pick-up line.

katcorot

The only this I have to remember when giving cars directions is remembering the areas that are bikes only and remember to detour them around it or onto another route.

mihlbach

I get asked for directions all the time. I love it when I get asked for directions on a double century and I tell people I have no idea because I'm 87 miles from home.

tarwheel 

Nice story, and hopefully you made a bike commuter fan.

velocycling

When I am asked for directions, I know where we are at and I know where they want to go, but I am not sure how you get there. I always wonder if the directions actually got them to their destination.

envane

I always get asked for directions on my bike all the time. Probably just because I happen to be right there, waiting for the light to turn green.

fredgarvin7

Back in the Stone Age, when I was a HS kid, I worked at a gas station. This was back b4 the huge canopies that protect the pump area today. Often instead of pulling up to the office and coming in to ask for directions, they would pull up to the pumps like they were a customer. After I gave them directions, they would then leave. Now, I had no problem with being helpful, but I RESENTED walking 100 feet unnecessarily. And if this was in the RAIN, I would make them PAY! Those who did this got TREMENDOUSLY bad directions. I would send them in the opposite direction, into traffic, and into road construction if possible. "Yeah follow that road for 6 miles. Then make your 9th left. Its down 5 miles on the left. You can't MISS it!"