SlimRider

So usually I freeze my water in my water bottle overnight, just before I head out in the morning. It took me awhile to actually exit my home. So, the water bottle had been out of the freezer for quite sometime. I port my bike outside, stop to take a few sips of water and return my water bottle back to its rack. After running a few errands, I end up near my last destination, the San Francisco Public Library. I notice that there are quite a few homeless people sitting about. That's not so unusual, there are usually homeless people sitting about the downtown library.

However, this time the homeless bunch looks like it has a few really seriously strung out dope fiends, crackheads, or whatever. They're filthy and they all seemed to be staring at me and my new Raleigh Grand Prix. Suddenly, I get this nervous feeling, like I really shouldn't walk into the library and leave my bike unattended. Next, I'm wondering if my OnGuard U-lock is going to be sufficient. So I lock up my bike and slowly walk towards the library. I spy out of the glass window door, attempting to observe any movement towards my bike. All seems clear. There's no movement. I quickly walk into the library to conduct all of my library business, as fast as possible.

Next thing you know, I ran into an old co-worker from a previous job. So we're just laughing, talking, and casually shooting the breeze, when I suddenly remembered those sketchy homeless people gawking at me and my bike. I therefore, quickly excused and dismissed myself. I practically ran to the door, where I could at least glance at my bike. Shhisssh! It was still there! I felt so relieved....

After returning to my bike, I looked down at my water bottle. It was half empty....I didn't remember drinking that much water as I exited my home. However, I was thirsty and yearned for some more nice cool water to refresh me. I touched the bottle. The water was still cool. I looked at that same homeless crowd, as they also looked upon me. They all appeared to have a slight smile on their faces, as though something might have taken place, that most probably shouldn't have.

I therefore, took the water bottle, and returned to the library. I washed out my bottle and then filled it once again with some nice cool water from the water fountain, and drank it all down. I then refilled it, again!

Would you say that I have trust issues, or would you have done something similar?

ben4345

Eeeewww.
I wouldn't drink it. sterilized that **** before you reuse it.

bkaapcke

Drinking tap water? You really do have issues. bk

SlimRider

009jim

I usually make a habit of exposing myself to germs to improve my immunity. I would have made a point of drinking the water.

SlimRider

Machka 

In situations like that, I tend to bring everything easily removable in with me ... water bottles, computer, lights, etc.

gecho

Could have been worse, imagine if there was more liquid in the bottle than when you left it.

SlimRider

SlimRider

Yeah I know, Machka!

It's just that my mind was in a tailspin of trepidation....I just wasn't totally focused!

SlimRider

I actually washed it again, after returning home!

a1penguin

Eeeewwwww. I get enough germs from the road debris that ends up in the water bottle. But I don't think I would want to share a drinking vessel with anyone who might have herpes. The germs don't bother me, the virus does. While most people are honest, it only takes that 1 out of 100 to walk by and your bike has been stripped of anything easily removable.

A coworker recently had his car broken into in SF: "Sigh. Broad daylight. Took chromebook, left the D700 and 70-200mm."

People suck. Don't trust 'em.

Mondo734

Yea like the others said I dont mind germs but I'm not ok with sharing edibles with possible druggies. I think I would have just drang my fill from the fountain in the library or made another stop at a gas station.

SlimRider

My initial thought, was to throw the bottle away and cross the street to buy some Fiji water. Next, I thought about how effective very soapy water is in changing the PH and providing a slippery surface for all bacteria and viruses. I therefore, just stood in the washroom and repeatedly (about four times) shook my bottle with soapy water and rinsed it out. Psychologically speaking, I felt better, but I still feel somewhat uneasy about that water bottle. I just can't seem to be able to completely shake the heebie geebies!

jsdavis

While urine is sterile, I still wouldn't want to drink it.

SlimRider

Hey there, my friend!

You know, I really do hate the fact that the homeless get such a bad rap. However, there are so many variations of the homeless, that you can't just lump them all together. I felt somewhat guilty for thinking that someone may have taken a drink from my water bottle. However, I felt so certain that I hadn't drank that much water, that I just had to suspect foul play. Even if they had been a group of professional looking people, I still would have had trust issues. I just don't have much trust in anyone when it comes to either food or drink.

So yeah, I agree, people suck! ...AND it sucks that people suck so badly!

SlimRider

Retro Grouch 

That's why I prefer to use a camelback when riding a trail that is shared with horse riders. Some of the mud on those trails isn't mud.

SlimRider

Velo Dog

Waaaaay too much thinking here. Wash the bottle, don't wash the bottle, throw the bottle away and buy a new one, whatever. Billions of electrons died to produce this thread.

SlimRider

Yep!...And you just killed a few million more with this!

PS.

Of course, OTOH, there would most likely be dire consequences to pay, when drinking from a virus-filled, unwashed, plastic water bottle.

Velo Dog

"Most likely" is most likely an exaggeration, but my point was that it shouldn't take a foot-long post and responses from a dozen people to figure out that water bottles can be washed.

zonatandem

You suspect a thirsty person of stealing your water?
They were checking out your new bike? How'd they know it was new? Leave the price tag on it?
They can't walk into a public library and use the same water fountain you just used?
Next time when you are faced with that situation, walk up to the 'homeless' and ask how things are going.
Hey . . . they are human, just like you and far less suspicious!

SlimRider

Yeah, that all sounds fine and dandy! But, what happened to my water?

SlimRider

So you have become the thread regulator or something? I'm sure you've seen totally useless threads where no human exchange of emotions were involved and there was absolutely no social commentary to be discussed, but were absolutely trivial and bordered upon nonsense.

This thread alternatively, concerns itself with not only an exchange of real human emotions, but also how we potentially view others, based upon appearance, apparent social status, and proximity to personal consumables. Thus far, we've had one person who would have gone out of his way to share the microbes. We've had another person who would have sterilized the bottle, first. Another, who refuses to even use water bottles, but prefers a camelback, instead.

However, the overwhelming majority of folks feel repulsed by the whole idea of the possibility of drinking behind anyone, especially people who's current state, lacks access to basic routine general hygiene. Now, regardless as to how important you think your thread length estimation rates, I think that's up to those forum members who care to respond, or not to respond.

Of course, you're always welcome to your own opinion. However, in this over populated world of people, we each possess our own opinion. Most of us feel as though our own opinion rates the most on the scale of significance. Of course, as you must already know, at the end of the day, they usually don't rate that highly, if at all.

You're opinions will continue to be highly regarded by me, personally anyway, because up until this point, Ive always thought you were cool!

PS.

Besides, it's just BF entertainment anyways...So relax! Smile!

Don't Worry! Be Happy!