stronz
Posts:447
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| 05/25/2014 06:00 PM |
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kind of a bummer on such a beautiful day.
Went out alone as I usually do on my 40 miler. At one point there is a 7-11 and I am riding by it - maybe 5 feet from the lot entrance. Large shoulder which i am riding in. Volvo SUV slows down on left next to me on way into the parking lot. But instead of waiting for me to pass, he cuts in front of me and would have clipped my front wheel if I hadnt braked hard. So I say loudly as I'm staring at his bumper now 3 inches in front of my wheel -- "Seriously? You couldnt wait 5 seconds?" Driver stops and rolls down window and shouts: "Get the F### off the road." At this point I notice he has a small child in back seat - maybe 5 or 6y.o. Anyway I stop and look at him and say "Its a shared roadway, I'm riding on the shoulder and I have the right of way. LEARN THE Rules or dont drive!" He repeats his initial remark and says I look like an idiot in my green and white "little shirt" (Tasteful Belkin jersey with black shorts, btw) I say " I wear this so people can see me. Apparently you did see me but still didnt stop. You really ought to learn the rules. He repeats"Get the F### off the road." I realize I'm getting nowhere and tell him he's setting a great example for the child in the back seat. THEN -- another genious in the parking lot starts screaming at me that I should get the F### off the road. ""All you bicycle dicks should get off the road." This guy is driving a pickup and is a skinhead. Drives over to me and sees me looking at his license plate which I quickly email to myself on my droid as I took it out to write down Mr. Volvo father of the year's plate. Skinhead stops his truck in the road and gets out. "You writing down my license plate?" I say "yeah -- and not only that I'm videoing everything your about to say. So what is it you want to tell me?" That slowed him down -- Could see him thinking what to do. "Why dont you bicycle dicks all ride on the bike path?" I say "sometimes I do, But today I'm riding on the road on the shoulder on a shared roadway. That volvo almost hit me. Was I supposed to thank him for it? And why are you harassing me?" That left him speechless and he muttered something and got back in his truck. I got going but felt crummy the rest of the ride...
So what did I learn?
1. Probably still better to shut your mouth when riding your bike in a hostile environment -- which is anywhere there are people driving cars.
2. Most drivers are total idiots.
3. I wonder about the helmet cam-- I wonder if its a real deterant.
Anyway -- I am usually very non-confrontational but I reallythink I was well within my rights to say something to the Volvo driver when he cut me off. And I was also wearing a bright green helmet and had newly charged front and rear lights flashing. No way he didnt see me.
PS -- got home and discovered I hadnt pushed the record button on my Droid. (!) Was a little frazzled I guess. Dang!
Anyway would welcome any thoughts
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huckleberry
Posts:824
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| 05/25/2014 06:17 PM |
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Been there too often - absolutely ruins your day, but I think it serves us no better to remain silent.
I find that just pulling out my phone and pretending I'm taking a picture does wonders to reduce their aggressiveness.
I have enjoyed the last several months as I have been building my house up in the mountains and riding a lot of deserted fire roads ; ) |
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 05/25/2014 07:46 PM |
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Most of these encounters are acts of stupidity, or lack of road awareness and I just stare at them and shake my head.
True dickhead encounters are rare; but when I get one "get the f#*@ck off the road" are typically my first words. Never had anyone comment on my outfit; I am probably a little scary when mad.
I tihnk it was last year that I had a guy trying to go full speed right turn through a red, my green. Made damn sure he had to slam his brakes hard, gave him the finger and then when he tried to pass me where there was no room, made a fake veer left that almost had him ditch into a parked car. That got him going good. |
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zootracer
Posts:835
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Ride On
Posts:537
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| 05/25/2014 08:46 PM |
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| I figure even if I " win " the encounter, it will just piss them off for the next cyclist down the road. I figure why take that chance. |
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longslowdistance
Posts:2886
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| 05/25/2014 09:12 PM |
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That sucks.
Like the cell phone idea - will remember that one.
I went mountain biking today and had a lovely time. Just a thought. |
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stronz
Posts:447
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| 05/25/2014 09:20 PM |
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| excellent idea LSD- I'm mtb'ing with my nephew tomorrow. |
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 05/25/2014 10:03 PM |
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Bloody trees always getting in the way.
I don't mind a little Street Hassle.
Seriously, if we stand up against the dickheads for what is ours, I don't think that has implications for the cycling populace at large; they are a lost cause as it is and if anything it maybe shows them that we're not to be trifled with. I believe in fighting fire with fire when it comes to this. On the other hand, when we're seen breaking the rules running reds and through stop signs, that's an image that gets burned in every drivers' mind, good or bad. |
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vtguy
Posts:298
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| 05/25/2014 10:38 PM |
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Sorry it happened. There are some real dicks driving out there, but I really make an effort to not engage. He's driving a 3000 pound vehicle and I 'm a skinny guy wearing lycra. If push comes to shove I don't like my odds.
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6ix
Posts:485
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| 05/26/2014 08:20 AM |
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I'll admit to have helped escalate a similar situation a few years ago while living in South Carolina. Textbook redneck in a pickup truck (with kid and wife sitting in the front bench seat) goes screaming by me, swerving and honking. Did a crazy interval to catch up to him at the stop-light ahead. I purposely roll up slowly behind his truck and bump the bumper with my front wheel. That probably wasn't a wise move because the driver then gets out of the truck and walks towards me. Let's just say the words used would only be suitable on HBO. He is right in my face, threatening to beat the crap out of me. I dare him to, saying that I'll own him and everything his family has. Not proud of that. Guess I was a bit of a hothead.
Light turns green, he gets back into the truck and I roll off ahead. He swerves again while passing so I kicked the side panel in with my cleat. That was the craziest altercation I've ever had. I hope that I've mentally calmed down enough to make better decisions next time because that was STUPID!! |
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Nick A
Posts:625
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| 05/26/2014 11:13 AM |
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Unfortunately, there are a lot of damaged, bitter people in the world. I wish I could always remain, calm, but I've lost it too. Sorry to hear about your incident. Occasionally, I've killed them with kindness. "Get the eff off the road!" Response, "Good morning, beautiful day." Sometimes, I've more obnoxiously waved and blown kisses.
If they happen to have something "Christian" on the car, a "God bless you" always makes them think.
N |
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Yo Mike
Posts:338
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| 05/27/2014 10:44 AM |
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Yeah #2. A major part of the problem is that automobile travel is 'isolating'.
+1 Ride On
I like Nick's take, but have responded more like 6ix in the past. Phone is a great idea; remember also that many convenience stores and gas stations will also have video cameras on their parking lots.
Lastly: dumba$$es in cars will assume that you are bicycling at the speed THEY can manage on a bicycle, and this makes it more likely for them to come across you making a right turn - that they sped up to do - instead of taking 5 precious seconds out of their day to yield the right of way......
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ChinookPass
Posts:809
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| 05/27/2014 03:06 PM |
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| I've been looking for a "honk if you like bikes" jersey to wear in redneck territory though the american flag jersey is probably more likely to wage peace. |
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Spud
Posts:525
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| 05/27/2014 03:58 PM |
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| There are days I feel that I should have gathered the golf balls lying on the side of the road near the golf course, so that I could hurl them at the asshat drivers that occupy the roads. |
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C2K_Rider
Posts:173
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| 05/27/2014 04:49 PM |
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I try to remember that violence only invites more violence. Try. Can't always do that when someone does something really stupid. Trying to beat the cyclist to the turn is so common i can tell when it its going to happen...engine revving, then tires scrubbing as they realize they ain't gonna make it, then the obligate cussing that I got in their way.. Worst of that type was a bimbo who cut me off then realized I was going fast and stopped right in mid turn, thinking she was going to let me by. I nearly rammed her rear end and gave her open window the loudest yelling I could muster. I hope she is still cleaning sheit out of her shorts. Gave me enough adrenaline to make the next three lights easily.
Out in the rural areas I don't even respond to such antics. Too far from home and they have a two ton death machine at their disposal, and who knows what else. |
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