You are stereotyping. Certainly, Texas has some people who believe that -- but so does everywhere else.

That said, you'll probably find that a lot of the commenter aren't even in Texas. Internet sites with stories about cyclists are funny like that.

Personally, I thought the comments on the articles were fairly typical of any cycling story, but perhaps a bit on the better side than normal -- fewer "get out of my way or I'll run you down" posts than normal, for example.

Some insight into "their" mentality...
 

I shared this video with a buddy of mine who is very "anti-bike." He's one of those guys who will pass dangerously close and try to intimidate cyclist. When he's 74 he'll be chasing down cyclist wielding a baseball bat.

Anyway, here's what he saw. An old man surrounded by a bunch of bikers trying to intimidate him and he was lucky to have the bat to protect himself with. Not only that, but we need more drivers like him (the old man in the video) to get all the bikes off the roads. Furthermore, his actions are justified because cyclist delay cars anywhere from 30 seconds to 2-3 minutes to possibly "a very long time on a 2 lane country road during rush hour."

Anyway, the point being there are people out there with totally irrational hatred for cyclist and they're the ones behind the wheel of a 2 ton SUV.

There has to be a prior arrest history with the old, crazy dude. Getting into trouble like this is probably not new to him. As well as carrying a bat in a car for "trouble."

As Jimi77 has stated there are all manner of nuts out there walking, driving around. Sometimes we just get lucky enough to get caught up in their crap bag. And trust me - crazy people have very big nets to ensnare others.

see i just cannot fathom how people can think like this.
tell your "buddy" he's an ******* and I can't wait for him to end up in jail because his "intimidation" turned into him running over a cyclist and killing him/her. we'll see how he feels then.

Group riders who think they own the road + motorists who think they own the road = trouble.

I am certain the riders did plenty to set off the crazy old dude. Everyone played their part i bet. Mob mentality vs lone insanity. They all suck.

Honestly, he wouldn't feel the least bit bad. He'd be pissed about being in a jail and he'd be pissed about the damage to his vehicle, but he wouldn't feel bad that there is one less cyclist in the world. Ironically, if there were more cyclist, there would be less traffic on "his" precious roads.

Dude, maybe you should get with some mature, responsible cyclists. I've been on hundreds of group rides and I don't ever remember seeing what you are describing.

Really? What else are you "certain" of that has no evidence or basis in fact? Come on, man..

Trust me, I can. In the hurried world of the U.S., a several second delay is enough to set some people off into a fit of rage, and any cyclist exercising their rights to the road way, as motorists do, the cyclist is generally considered arrogant or militant or both.

I would bet a weeks pay that a horn was blown and middle fingers were presented by at least one cyclist.

Really? The guy posting videos of "conquering" other cyclists is going to speak about manners, common sense and etiquette?

Giving the finger to someone doesn't justify a crappy reaction or escalation. It might not be smart, but it's also not an excuse. I can give the finger to a driver all day long, and it doesn't justify them driving aggressively or putting me, or anyone else, in danger. Some people might think what you do is antagonizing, stupid and rude; in fact they may think it's only a matter of time until someone shoves a silca into your front wheel.

What I saw was a guy carrying a bat looking for a problem and who managed to find one. People looking for problems usually manage to find one. Nothing justifies leaving your car with a bat. Just like nothing would justify shoving an obnoxious arse on a Surly trying to embarrass people off of a bridge. It might be stupid to give a driver the finger, just like it's moronic to prove one's self worth by posting incessant videos "conquering" roadies, but it doesn't justify the reaction.

Exactly. I ride with a group almost every Saturday morning. Never have I ever experienced the group behaving in this manner.

:popcorn

Great thread. Keep it going.

Blocking the road, which I strive to NEVER do, is rude and extremely dangerous to everyone involved. I strive to stay out of the way. I mostly succeed in a city setting. In the country/burbs I ride alone or single file with some buds making it LOOK like I am trying to stay out of the way of traffic. Most sane motorists can tell when a cyclist is DOING THEIR BEST to let auto traffic go by.

Giving the finger (if this actually happened) to someone who can catch you/run you over/shoot you is just dumb. Then leaning a bike on that guy's truck is remarkably stupid.

I have edited hundreds of videos. I show what I want to get a certain reaction and can the rest. Where is the video of the minutes BEFORE the baseball bat came out?

I see a bunch of rude, idiot roadies interacting with a stupid old man. This stuff happens EVERY weekend somewhere in the USofA. And I have to suffer the price of being associated with THAT breed of cyclist just because I ride a bike to work.

When I see your videos I see a rude, antagonizing guy I wouldn't want to be near with Napolean syndrome who wants to get a certain reaction...and I'll still fault the cyclist who eventually does shove a pump in your wheel.

To be clear - the issue is in the "us vs. them", and you're as guilty of it as the most obnoxious motorist or self righteous cyclist. You are the problem, not the solution...and you commenting on this is the height of unintentional irony.

As for "Us vs. Them", I am wise enough to pick battles I might win.

BTW...Very few of my posts here at BF have any "unintentional" consequences. ;)

I think, Aaron, that NOLA is such a different place from a lot of the other cities that we ride in, that the rules you and I play by are different from what's expected/tolerated in NOLA. I wouldn't ride like Joey does, but I've given up lecturing him and just enjoy the vicarious thrills of his videos. Just like NYC bike messengers... NO WAY would I ride like that but it's cool to watch.

Same could be said of "Fail" or "JackAss" cycling stunt videos on YouTube. Might also be good for posting if the intent is "unintentional" consequences.

Everyone in the OP video looked like asshats to me. I still found it entertaining.

Why would you be friends with someone who is so full of hate? I strive to keep those people out​ of my life. Don't need it.

Wow...2-3 minutes? The horror.

A couple others commented on this, Jimi, and I'm kinda with them; you need better friends. Or, at least ONE. If I had a BROTHER who was like that, I'd disown him.

Some folks are not fit to be part of civilization.

What does the old dude have to worry abouts? Don't he know that bikcyclists wearing them those kleats can't throw no punches? Can't plant dem feetz to throw a roundhouse. Don't need no bats for dem guys in lycra.

Unless some of those guys know ground and pound - can't see how any cyclist is frightening when wearing full kit. :lol:

Interesting, so other peoples' friends on here have no hatred in their hearts, don't act irrational or emotional and are otherwise saintly??? If that's the standard I need to hold my friends to, then I'd be friendless.

Summed this up well. Hate it when I get ensnared in someones crap bag.

There are probably a lot of people all of us know that think this way. Shoot, my wife just told me one of her friends told her she'll try and run down any cyclist she see's on the road because they close her rode for one morning ever year for a local bike race. Makes perfect sence.