baj32161

I really don't know what came over me...I had taken my bike in for a tune up down in Philadelphia. Got everything worked on....good as new. Rode around the city for a while, just enjoying the sights, sounds and smells. After seeing that everything was working perfectly and looking spic and span. I put my bike on the train for the ride home (NJTransit's River Line rocks, by the way). I hung my bike on the rack and settled down to the ride, which is about an hour. Three stops (about 15 minutes) into the ride some filthy, dingy looking guy strolled on with his old rusted Schwinn Collegiate 5 speed. Well he puts it up on to the rack and then slams it to the right, right into my just worked on LeMond Tourmalet, which in turn, slams my bike into the support pole. I glared at him and told him to be more careful...that he just hit a $1100.00 bike. He walked over to me and said (he was drunk, which I didn't know at first), and said.."Well what are you going to do?!" to which I said "nothing." Some of the other passengers were obviously looking for a fight. which I was not about to get myself into, so I just sat there seething. When we got near the Bordentown stop, around half an hour later, which is 3 stops before the end of the line.....and my stop, he got up to get off. I saw him packing up nis backpack and I got up....stood by the rack, and when the doors opened I grabbed his bike and heaved it off of the train onto the station platform...while saying..."THAT'S what I am going to do about it!!!"

The other passengers startted laughing. At the time I was furious that someone would have so little regard for someone elses property, until I realized that is exactly what I had just done. The hardest thing for me to rationalize is that I am not normally this type of person...I can't imagine what made me do that.

Sometimes life sucks.

Patriot

Revenge is a dish, best served cold.

The differance between you and him, is that you never would have done what he did to begin with. He learned his lesson. Well....maybe. It depends on whether or not he cares about his own bike or not. If he doesn't give a hoot about his own property (by the sounds of the POS he had), then he may have walked off snickering. Either way, your retribution seems reasonable.

Sorry folks, but I do believe in immediate justice, especially when it's my own property.

SpongeDad

Well, you shouldn't have done it, but you know that.

That being said, you were provoked. You didn't get on the train and start being to be jerk to a total stranger - he did.

Stable societies are predicated on the use of force to control inappropriate behavior. Your response, while not something to crow about to your kids, is entirely natural.

I think you've probably punished yourself more than enough.

You can't make things right with the jerk, but then he can't (and likely wouldn't) make things right for you either. But if you feel the need to set the karmic balance to right, make a donation to a relevant charity that works with hardluck cases or something.

1955

Too bad he wasn't on the bike at the time!!!

timmhaan

you are awesome!! that's about the coolest thing i've read on these forums in a while.

jsharr

Was thinking the same thing, but could not have said it anywhere near as well. Agree with Spongedad on all points.

rule

Serves him right...don't sweat it.

baj32161

I don't think I could have lifted him...it was hot and I was tired.

Thanks for the help gang. I hate for you guys to think I am some kind of jackass.

djgonzo007

We all have had those moments when we act out of character due to anger. I can understand your feelings I would've been ticked as well. Point is the guy acted like a jerk, he could've apologized but instead acted like an a$$ so he got what was coming to him.

SpongeDad

Your post would have taken a totally different tone if you were.

EventServices

The best revenge is living well.

Kabloink

Would you have thrown the bike off the train if it was an expensive bike?

Steelrider

On the other hand...you sound like a pretty good guy, so I'm sure it was not a proud moment - but felt damn good anyway! I seem to also remember that you have taken a train before, so if you have occasion to see this person again, I'm gonna be sure to be immediately between him and my bike. Doesn't sound like he carries the appropriate insurance or has much to lose anyway. Not the ideal situation. As SpongeDad suggested perhaps a donation or some time volunteered to those in real need and appreciative of your efforts would balance the scales in your mind.

joeprim

Yes, but if instead of throwing the bike you just got it down - so he couldn't hurt yous again and said "That's how it should be done. You would have accomplished the same thing and maybe even taught him something. But of course I'm not on that train pissed right now - I might have done the same as you.

Joe

linux_author

- to avoid this problem in the future, is there some form of inflatable padding (perhaps using a CO2 cart) to protect your ride?

- if not, then i'd take a beater on the train and leave the nice bike at home?

- but i know how you feel... i'm the type that always gets into trouble when i do something i know is wrong...

;-)

baj32161

I never thought about that, but I do not think someone with an expensive bike would have acted like he did. More than likely just the opposite. Every time I see someone with a nice bike I make sure to comment on it and be careful around it. I realize there are bikes that cost alot more than my LeMond but when I bought mine, the price of it was all I had....therefore it is very dear to me.

timmhaan

baj32161 - did you have cycling clothes and shoes on when you did this? i'm pretty much sliding all over the place with my shoes, so there is no way i could try something like this without falling down.

baj32161

I have ridden this train with my bike many times before, but this time the reason was to take it to the shop for a tune up. I couldn't tune this bike up if I didn't bring it with me.

Maybe next time I will just borrow my grandfathers pickup, but then I have to park the f***er in Philly. The train from trenton NJ to Philly is all of $4.80 round trip whereas parking is $15.00 for 2 hrs just about anywhere in Denter City...more's the pity.

H. Star

I am ready to send a check to baj32161 for being a man and keeping it real.

baj32161

Yeah I did, and for once I was thanking my MTB shoes (Sidi Rampa II) and SPD cleats. I am a **** in the best of conditions.

baj32161

Well I WOULD like a new Croix de Fer, or Victoire

Just kidding....well actually, I would

1955

I don't agree, he did balance the scales.

operator

A person with an expensive bike would never have done that in the first place. And if they did, they surely deserve that.

sunninho

You know that although it's a bike, and we all love our bikes, you reacted in a way that could have endangered yourself and the other passengers. In the end, I would not put my life on the line for my bike, car, watch, wallet... anything. Granted, every case is different.

Unfortunately, this time in our history spawns a widening gap between those who have and those who don't. I highly applaud your humility and your ability to share your misgivings.

TexasGuy

There's no right or wrong for a situation like that in many eyes. Could you have done something better - sure. Is the decision going to come back and haunt you - hopefully not. Hopefully you can be the bigger man next time you meet him though hopoefully I somehow get the feeling that with somebody like him, either a) he won't remember or b) hopefully you won't meet him agian