u/maybeimmike

Went to sell my Kilo TT today to our local bike shop, guy said he didn’t want it as he doesn’t sell fixed gears often and my frame is large. Fair point, but I told him he could just have it for free to take it off my hands since I’m moving and he still didn’t want it!! Shocked to say the least 😂😂

Anyone in the Chicago / Milwaukee area want a cheap 60cm Kilo TT?

There’s a guy who posts up near my apartment. He’s been there for two summers in a row, going on three this year. He’s a real gentle guy from my understanding, we make eye contact from time to time. Today, I saw a city clean up guy take his blanket he uses when he wasn’t near his things. He went to throw it away. I shouted out at him and told him to put it back despite him doing his job, as someone relies on it for warmth (it’s still cold by us). He argued with me and told me to call the cops if I have a problem with him removing it, as it was on city property. I said “just be a human and leave it!” And so he angrily tossed it on the sidewalk in the way of foot traffic and stormed off. I took the blanket, folded it, and put it off to the side somewhere safe on my apartments private property. I took to a walk and found the guy who it belongs to. I guessed where he’d be since our nearby facilities will shelter the homeless community often. I gently approached him and said “hey, not to be weird but you stay over by X and X? Right?” He nodded but didn’t want to make eye contact. I told him someone tried to take his blanket but I stopped it from happening and put it off to the side, because I figured he needed it, so he should look for it around the corner when he comes back tonight. He just nodded, very little eye contact, said okay, and I walked away.

Was this ok? I’m afraid now he feels like he’s being watched? Or maybe I crossed a boundary? I don’t want to make him feel like he can’t return to a trusted spot, in the moment I just wanted to make sure he didn’t lose his soft bedding he’s been using for so long, but in hindsight I may have made him feel too seen and uncomfortable?

I get very worked up and emotional over the way my city and community lacks empathy for the homeless in our area, as well as the greater majority of the US. While I also know it’s an extremely difficult topic and lifestyle to approach, even with love in mind, it’s moments like these where I question if doing what I consider to be the right thing, is actually the right thing?