Yesterday afternoon–got off work early. Went out for a good workout–coming back on the bike I am on a pretty busy road, but not one that is closed to cyclists. In fact it has a 35 mph speed limit but no shoulder. Usually in the direction I was going it is not that trafficky and it was about 4pm (just ahead of rush hour). Anyway, in a 5 minute span I was cursed at and given the finger 3 times by 3 different drivers. The first one got away, the second one I gave a gut reaction (the bird) and the third one, well, I was so flabbergasted that I looked to the heavens in dismay. I looked at myself and my bike, looked to see if I had “flame me” pasted on my back and wondered if it was I who was doing something unusual or particularly unsafe. Alas, I was doing nothing out of the ordinary. Is this just coincidence or was there something in air? Are people in that much of a rush to get home from work on Friday that they must assault us with such venomous anger? I mean its one thing to drive next to you and give a dirty look or a “who do you ride your bike while I’m a lazy shit” look, but this was real, true anger at the fact they had to, “gasp,” change lanes or “gasp … gasp” SLOW DOWN!!! Oh my lord, what is a person to do.
Sorry for all the sarcasm but I’m appaled that I can’t ride the roads without being harrassed–usually I take crazy drivers as a challenge to my bike handling skills, but not this time. And I thought all the cycling coverage of late would help us be better understood. I guess the general public is so pissed off at LA right now that they all of a sudden hate all bikers. I’m surprised they didn’t yell “doper doper” at me and spit.
Thanks for allowing the vent session. Feel better now.
I am so with you. Today I was on my last long ride before IM Wisc…and I got “buzzed” 2 times. Smart alecks come up from behind and give me no room while putting their foot to the floor. This happen one time last weekend as well. Before that…virtually a summer of incendent free riding. I was cursing to myself because I am so helpless in these situations. I can’t catch up and beat them senseless. I just have to take it and hope they don’t run me over. I am so ready for this season to be over…
scary thing on ride today…on a two lane road (moderate traffic, no shoulders…) a guy in a big pickup going the opposite direction decides to pass the slower car in front of him. All I remember is seeing the front of the truck heading our direction and thinking “holy sh##!!!”…don’t think he was aiming for us, just a bonehead time to pass (double yellow line). I feel very very lucky. Would have been instant death (he was doing a good 60-65 mph).
Don’t know about a full moon today, haven’t checked. But last Saturday it was a half-moon. Wearing only a pair of bike shorts (no shirt), I got hooted and whistled at. I reached back and pulled down my shorts to expose a cheek. I than gave it a few pats for their pleasure.
Hey, it’s rough out there, bro. Tempers are short with some drivers. I get that way, too, but at slow cars or dopey drivers. Before I took up riding again, I would frequently get annoyed by cyclists in the way. So I feel their pain.
Of course, that doesn’t mean I don’t flip off (and accompany that with bad langauge) the jackass that yells something about me rolling a stop sign so he had to wait to turn right behind me. Especially when he didn’t bother to use his turn signal. Am I an a-hole? Yeah, probably. So I make sure to wave and smile thank you to anyone who even remotely shows me courtesy.