I didn't find the baloon refreshing at all. In fact, it hurt a little because it was right on my ear that it hit. So what I did was I went back to the kid, told him what he did was very dangerous, that he could get in Big Trouble(TM) if someone got hurt. I then asked where his momma was at and if she knew what he was doing. I think this was good because he then said he was going to drop his last baloon... and nailed his buddy with it. I cracked-up and gave him a high five for that one.

In any case... I think next time I'll just move along. My brother once got the bejeepers beat out of him for getting a little too much attention on his bike while riding through a rough 'hood (OK, he gave the finger to someone...).

I forgot to mention one more thing from my adventure -- a copy nealry ran me over. Not surprisingly, at another one of those diagonal intersections, a cop coming the other way did a U-ee (how do you write that?) directly in front of me. Had I not seen it coming, there's a very high probability that he would have splattered me across the road. I truly relished running the next red light right in front of him because I knew he didn't see me (thus wouldn't see me run the light -- I usually never run lights with cops in the area).

I actually know the route pretty well because it's my route back from CP. I was really shocked by the agressive traffic, though. I guess I used to ride that way during the middle of the day when it's thinner. I think I will try another way for now, taking yesterday as a sign that maybe I shouldn't go that way!

sounds like the right reaction to the kid - it's one thing to invite a cool-down (or at least see it coming) - quite another to get blind sided. Cool that he listened, too.

Yeah I was expecting him to cut and run, to be honest. I guess kids these days aren't afraid of much!

I really think everyone else should leave their shoes outside the door.

There is no reason for forbidding a bike in a building. I bring my bike with me and keep it in the shower room- since I'm the only person who uses it.

This is NYC, you don't have to take nothing from nobody. I would've shot him. Kids don't learn unless it hurts.

This is NYC, where kids are in gangs and / or have friends / siblings in gangs. Yeah, it's a LOT safer than when I grew-up, but seeing as how my brother got his a55 kicked for flipping the bird to a motorist, I'm aware that it's still not perfectly safe.

Haha I was joking. Ironically, the kid probably would've shot back...