An open message to the idiots that mugged me this morning.

[eminva]

So glad you were not hurt! What a terrible experience.

Were you on the sidewalk itself? If so, might an alternative be to take the lane across the bridge at this time of day to avoid these knuckleheads or get out of danger more easily and quickly? (I don’t know what traffic is like then — wouldn’t be a great option at the height of rush hour due to congestion).

I sent an email to Jim Sebastian late last month with lovely pictures of those traffic barrels and a request that they be removed. I didn’t hear back so I just renewed my request today. If anyone has an idea for non-twitter way to contact the appropriate authorities in DC, let me know (not part of the twitterverse myself).

Liz

[RESTONTODC]

CCrew,

I’m sorry that it happens to you. I hope you get your Macbook back soon. It’s good that you’re not hurt.

This thing is always on the back of my mind when I commute during the dark winter month but I can’t believe it occurs during the summer commute.

Rick

[OneEighth]

Thanks for the details about both the perps and their m.o.
I thought I remembered you writing about a similar incident. Thanks for confirming.

[acc]

Listen if you change your mind about a ride, it’s no problem. This may yet hit you, doesn’t seem like it so far. If it were me I’d be crouched under my desk sobbing.

[Greenbelt]

Terrible. I hope your IT skills track them down and provide evidence to convict.

[bArlington]

YIKES! Other lessons: Encrypt your hard drive.

[Brock]

Glad to hear you’re OK, and I’m looking forward to seeing those mug shots when the machine comes online.

[Riley Casey]

Oh man, the Key Bridge ?!?! No frikkin way, I mean that is an MBT sort of tale. Very happy to see your at your desk pounding out your anger on the keyboard and not in intensive care. I hope that you get a bit of time to collect your thoughts and reflect on how good it is to be alive after running a fair chance of being the alternative. That can be a very good feeling to find after the adrenalin wears off. On the other hand I’m also rooting more than a little for that MacBook cam to deliver some looser’s to a few years off the street at Lorton. Thanks for posting this and sharing your experience, bringing us all a bit of added awareness of our surroundings.

[JustinW]

Absolutely rotten that they took advantage of you, but luckily your health is intact. That’s what matters. Sorry about the bike, of course, but we trust you to resolve that appropriately.

All, stay aware and stay safe.

[CCrew]

In retrospect – and no, the anger hasn’t worn off. Nor have they logged an active internet connection. It’ll pop to the surface, I’m sure of it.

I really don’t think it was a biking issue. Outcome would have probably been the same had I been a pedestrian. It was 4am on an urban street. The only people out are the people working and the riffraff. Our paths just crossed. Expensive lesson, but in the grand scheme of things it was just “things”. They can be replaced.

New frame is already enroute. Stripping the ultegra off the Fuji Cross Pro and putting all the parts on a Redline Conquest Pro frame.

[ontarioroader]

Just out of curiosity – what was MPD’s response like? You did report this right?

[CCrew]

@ontarioroader 6365 wrote:

Just out of curiosity – what was MPD’s response like? You did report this right?

I think I’d best describe the response as apathetic.

[PotomacCyclist]

Maybe one of those Go Pro cameras might have helped with identification? But maybe they don’t work so well in the dark.

[KLizotte]

@CCrew 6366 wrote:

I think I’d best describe the response as apathetic.

I’m so, so sorry this happened to you and mad as heck that these thugs think this is acceptable behavior. Sadly they will probably get away with it though. Since this is the second time this has occurred to you in a short span of time, you would hope the police would try to set up a sting operation since these thugs will probaby try this again. It’s pretty ballsy to be doing it in such an open location (without the ability to run off into an alley).

Bad, bad MPD. When my wallet was pick pocketed when I was living in London, UK the police response was actually quite responsive and considerate and that was a minor offense in comparison.

Sadly, one doesn’t like to profile folks based on race but now when we see a couple of black men walking towards us who isn’t going to think the worst? Horrible situation all around.

Kudos to you for securing your Mac so well. I hope everything is encrypted and safe. Let’s hope they broadcast their position soon and that the police will respond quickly and appropriately. My renter’s insurance covers theft of personal items so hopefully your homeowner’s does too.

Other than perhaps riding in the road I can’t think of any way you could have stopped them or protected yourself better (I don’t advocate carrying firearms). I’m not even sure carrying mace or pepper spray in this case would have helped.

Time to request Guardian Angels for the bridge as well as the MBT?

[SteveTheTech]

Glad to hear your ok, Rodger.

I cannot imagine being in your shoes at that point. My fight or flight instinct usually leads me to try something crazy.
Sounds like you handled (and continue to) this in the ideal way. Although the outcome is pure organic Bulls*it, it really could have been much worse.

I kept reading this thread hoping to hear the you were able to get some IT guy level revenge on these thugs.

You earn Ultimate Commuter status with that story and +1000 bike guy badass points. I tip my hat to you sir.

[Author]

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