Head's up! Robbed while riding early Sunday Morning.

Just wanted to give people a heads up:

This morning (5:30am Sunday) I was taking my usual route to work (straight down Milwaukee - Desplaines)  when I ran into some trouble.

 I had just crossed over Division  when I noticed a group of guys walking North on the West side of Milwaukee, one of them started walking at me in the bike lane.  I just assumed he was either avoiding the snow on the sidewalk, or trying to hail a cab.  He wasn't moving out of the way as I got closer so I rode into the car's lane.  As I was about to pass him  he said "Give me that bike bitch" and then went after me. I tried to speed past him, but he managed to push the rear of my bike which made me loose balance an veer off to the other side of the road.  I fell off my bike once it tried to hop the curb and he grabbed me and pinned me up against the iron fence.  I was screaming and he was choking me and telling me to "give me what you got".    I kept telling him I didn't have anything, but remembered I had a $20 in my pocket and asked if he wanted that.  He took it, told me he loved me and then kissed me on the cheek a couple of times and took off running.

F'd up!

so F'd up

I just want to give you all a heads up of what happened in an area I usually feel safe in and maybe keep an eye out for each other.  A few cars passed as I was pinned against the fence, but no one stopped.  Maybe they didn't see, maybe they did.  

I was lucky and managed to keep everything that mattered to me and came away just really shaken up. 

A report has been filed

It was a group of 4 or so guys, but only one guy chased me down.  He was an african american probably early 20's wearing a dark green jacket (waist length and not "winter time poofy" ) with some sort of white character on the back of it.  He had shoulder length dreads and was wearing a dark colored knit cap.

Let's look out for each other!

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Permalink Reply by spencewine on February 24, 2013 at 12:30pm

Just awful, but glad that you weren't hurt or worse. I live in the area and bike commute and run by that intersection a couple times a week. If I spot anyone matching that description, I'll call the police, but unless I'm in immediate danger, I doubt that they'll do much about it, unfortunately.

Permalink Reply by Beans on February 24, 2013 at 12:38pm

Damn allison, horrible experience. I hope you're doing better after all that.

What the hell is wrong with people?...

Permalink Reply by lauren eg on February 24, 2013 at 1:10pm

That kind of incident is truly one of my worst fears, and I am happy you are okay. So sorry that it happened to you.

Permalink Reply by Deet 4.5mi on February 24, 2013 at 1:20pm

So sorry, i go through there every day, ill keep an eye out for him.  That is so bad

Permalink Reply by Kaz on February 24, 2013 at 1:32pm

I am so sorry this happened to you. I am glad you were not injured.

Permalink Reply by Wolf-Pup on February 24, 2013 at 1:38pm

You're tough. I'm sorry that happened. Thanks for the warning. I'll keep an eye for anyone that fits that description.

Permalink Reply by A.K.A Paul on February 24, 2013 at 2:41pm
Wow, that really sucks! I'm glad to here you're ok. I dont go by there much by I have a mental note of the discription in my head. It would be so cool if someone spots this guy.
Permalink Reply by Dragonborn on February 24, 2013 at 3:17pm

Damn, I'm really sorry to hear of this. I feel deeply for you and I'm so sorry such an evil thing happened to you. I hope the bad guy gets his payback coming to him in spades. If I happened to be present, I would have at least tried to stomp on the BG's skull while you attempted to get away. It's really a sad truth that the government and police are unable to do much. We can't carry a cop around everywhere we go because they are too heavy.

As a suggestion, perhaps consider carrying Fox Labs Pepper Spray. Not saying that pepper spray would have absolutely prevented the robbery and the physical encounter, but it may give you at least a fighting chance next time. I'm a big male myself, but I still carry pepper spray everywhere I go, including while riding a bike, because I never underestimate any adversary.

At the very least, I'm happy to know that you came out of this alive and relatively (I'm using the word lightly here) unharmed rather than something far worse. Stay alert and take care.

Permalink Reply by MagMileMarauder on February 24, 2013 at 4:24pm

Sorry to hear about this. I can imagine what your mind is going through right now. Like the others said, it's good that nothing serious happened physically. I know Dragonborn suggested bear spray, which can work. I have a stripped aluminum handlebar (light and hard) if I encounter a situation like this. It doesn't stand out because it blends in by being bungeed to the bike frame, and it's easily accessible. I've never had to use it in the city, but I do feel safer having with me. It also works to fend off  aggressive dogs if you like touring or riding in the countryside!

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on February 24, 2013 at 4:26pm

Very sorry to hear it. I'm glad that you didn't lose more than the $20 and weren't hurt, but I know that doesn't make up for the feeling of being violated.

Permalink Reply by Tim S on February 25, 2013 at 4:23am
Dang, you have got to be kidding, that hood never ceases to amaze me. Hope you recover fully.
Permalink Reply by Steve Courtright on February 25, 2013 at 4:42am

Ohhhhhh so dreadful.  Happy to hear that you are not hurt.

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