Originally Posted by Digital_Cowboy

Yeah, don't ya just love it when people prejudge others? A few years back when I was at a concert in Downtown St. Pete known as First Friday. A guy came over to me and told me that his buddy had thought that I was "homeless." The guy who came over to me pointed out several things on my bike to his buddy to educate him as to why I wasn't homeless, i.e. Crank Brothers Eggbeater pedals, the bike itself a Specialized Hardrock, the pannier rack, the pannier bags, the kit that I was wearing.

Most recently I was talking with one of the guys who works for the security company that patrols the apartment complex where I live. He confided in my that the first few times that he saw me coming in that he thought that I was a druggie looking to score. But that I always "disappeared" too quickly before he could catch up to me to see what I was up to. I guess the fact that he pretty much always saw me in full kit, as well as having multiple lights on my bike, or that I was riding an excellent quality bike store bike wasn't enough of a clue. I mean aren't most druggies/junkies riding around on "beater bikes," and trying to "fly under the radar?"

I've been "accused" of being a rolling Christmas tree, a small very low flying plane, a UFO/alien/ET. I mean I have enough lights on my bike that I am visible at least a 1/4 of a mile away. Oh yeah, add to that that I usually have a chem light zipped tied to my front and back wheel. Inconspicuous I am NOT.