Commuting - Watch the road, moron!

On my everyday 1.5 mile commute to class this morning, I hopped on the (only) road that takes me to my building. About 1 minute into the ride, I hear an engine rev, lots of honking, and this graying cager blasts past me. I'm riding the paint, I've had busses pass me on this road without having to move across the lane lines, so it's not like I'm in his way. Anyway, as he passes, he's completely TURNED AROUND in his seat, yelling his head off at me, and very slowly drifting into the left lane. I can see there are no cars coming, so I don't slam on my brakes like I wanted to, as to be out of the blast zone for an impending wreck. At this point, I'm glad I learned to ride with no hands, as the left was busy telling him he was #1!, and I had to use the right hand to point at the day-glo green "Bike Route" sign. I really wish that guy had swerved off the road and broken an axle or something.

I don't ever hope that people get hurt, but man would I love to see them destroy a couple of their cars.

It's funny.

I try to avoid the us-versus-them mindset because I don't think it's true and I don't think it's useful. What I do believe is that there are some people who figured out that their commute to work can be awesome or drudgery. I'll take an extra helping of awesome, thanks. One of the things being a transportational cyclist and frequently being on the receiving end of that kind of abuse teaches you is that it's not worth it. It's not worth getting that worked up about, it's not worth responding to. It's just not worth it.

The poor bastard behind the wheel who gets all bent out of shape about sharing the road doesn't get it. For that, I feel bad.

That kind of driver doesn't respect you (actually may be envious) and certainly has no repect for him or her self as regards how others percieve the misbehavior. I think they deserve themselves and deserve nothing from me.

I like to blow kisses to my fans when they honk to say they love me and my tight buns.

And I'm also of the mindset that cars are not the enemy, just ignorance and selfishness.

I try to avoid the us-versus-them mindset because I don't think it's true and I don't think it's useful. What I do believe is that there are some people who figured out that their commute to work can be awesome or drudgery. I'll take an extra helping of awesome, thanks. One of the things being a transportational cyclist and frequently being on the receiving end of that kind of abuse teaches you is that it's not worth it.

Generally, I have no problems with traffic, on a whole people are nice here, even the ones who aren't nice are tolerable. I get cursed at but never swerved at, spit on but never beer-bottled. What got my sense of irony today was the bike route sign that was directly ahead of us. Well, that and the cop around the corner, but I've never seen him do anything but nap :rolleyes:

Oh, and my commute is always awesome. Especially when I show up at the airport (a 6-mile ride) a little sweaty, and toss down my bike helmet on my desk. Oh yeah, they know I rode here :D

And I'm also of the mindset that cars are not the enemy, just ignorance and selfishness.
I agree, which is why after the immediate adrenaline of getting yelled and honked at goes away I usually arrive home feeling depressed, saddened that there are so many ignorant/selfish folks in the society I live it. How did we arrive at such a sorry state of affairs?

Al

Bah, let him have his high blood pressure and stress associated with getting that worked up.

I'll second the blow him a kiss theory.

I've been riding since April and I haven't once been honked at. There have been a few people who burned rubber passing me as soon as the way was clear, but no honks...

I've been riding since April and I haven't once been honked at. There have been a few people who burned rubber passing me as soon as the way was clear, but no honks...

Canadians are just nicer, don't ya know. :D

can we all start blowing kisses???

i really try to remind myself to do this whenever one of my "fans" gives me a toot these days as well.

spread the love people!!!!

Canadians are just nicer, don't ya know. :D

I was in Toronto over Labor Day weekend and saw a cyclist on Eglinton Ave. in the middle of the left lane, at night, w/ no rear reflector or blinkie, wearing dark clothing. Drivers normally do about 10-20 kph above the posted 60 kph speed limit so of course there were a few people braking last minute to avoid him. No honking, just slowed down, changed lanes and went around him. I thought to myself, "That's a good way to get killed.", but luckily, people were able to avoid him.

On the other hand, I did notice more than a few drivers were menaces to other drivers...

You're riding early in the day having some fresh air. Doing something good for your health.
That guy is so stressed out that he is going to blow a gasket.
It is annoying but, after a while I feel sorry for them. I usually just wave or give a friendly greeting, knowing that I am better than OK, and they are having a miserable time. I hate to say this but, after the initial wave of anger or annoyance it makes me realize how horrible his life is compared to mine.