Commuting - Given the finger, and I laughed! (I'm getting better at this commuting thing....)

The usual race to the red light: I, being a cylclist, have VISION, see the light turn red at the next block. But the guy with Jersey plates behind me lays on the horn, revs the engine, tells me to get on the sidewalk. Whatever. I pull to the side, knowing I'll be rolling up next to him in 10 seconds. Which I do. He sits there mutely, three cars back from the light. He steals a glance at me, and I'm giving him a look to say, Was it worth it? And he gives me the finger. But it's really the most pathetic gesture. He's stuffed his soft body into the pressed white shirt of a middle manager, he's losing his hair, he's not even 40, he's been humiliated by a guy on a bike, and he flips the bird almost underneath his dashboard, averting his eyes. I had to laugh, which I wouldn't have done even 6 months ago. Commuting has changed me, I tell you.
If only he'd get on a bike, all his frustration would just vanish. And he should also get rid of that ridiculous Star Trek ear-hook phone thing.

:beer: ... dude you pretty much demonstrated your superiority to that guy in every single way, and he sure as hell knows it. You straight-up high-roaded him! Way to keep your cool :)

But the guy with Jersey plates behind me lays on the horn, revs the engine, tells me to get on the sidewalk.
Yelling "Go back to Jersey!" isn't even worth your breath, but he needs to go back there and never come back. Anyways, you should laugh, you're outside the cage and free to go while he's stuck in traffic and can't go faster than the car/bike in front of him. He's impotent while you're a flashing billboard of male potency! You're this guy:
http://www.sweatpantserection.com/stories/img/23/bob_enzyte_guy.jpg

to his:
http://www.mistersoftee.com/images/homehead2.gif

The usual race to the red light: I, being a cylclist, have VISION, see the light turn red at the next block. ...

What is with people who don't bother to look down the road ahead of them? I recently witnessed vehicle after vehicle pull right up behind an obviously stalled car that was visible for nearly 3/4 of a mile. There was a turn lane available to go around without even slowing yet easily half the cars came to a stop behind the stalled car.

I had a tool swerve around me into the oncoming lane (of a four lane road on a bridge) so that he could get in front on me at the upcoming light, which was red at the time. And it was the left turn lane.

We were so close to the light he actually had the ass end of his vehicle still hanging out across the double line.

I roll up along side him, move in front and proceed to sit there in front of him for two cycles of the light, him blowing the horn and gunning his engine. Took off just as the light cycled red the third time leaving him pissed and impotent.

What a touch of springtime freshness he was.

I love cagers response to a big goofy grin when they say/do something ******** around you. If their window is open I try to yell something like "Jesus LOVES YOU!!!" makes them shrink into the seat like they've seen a pit viper. These responses completely diffuse the situations to, the agressor is expecting you to match their anger with anger, when you refuse to play the game they are at a loss as to what to do next.

he's losing his hair, he's not even 40

Careful there buddy. Some of us cyclists are having the same hair issues :)



And he should also get rid of that ridiculous Star Trek ear-hook phone thing.

My Star Trek ear-hook phone thing helps me be safer when I have to deal with a call in the car. So I don't hit any of my fellow cyclists.


But I do LOVE how you handled the situation. I always prefer the high ground approach.

-D

My Star Trek ear-hook phone thing helps me be safer when I have to deal with a call in the car. So I don't hit any of my fellow cyclists.


Not to burst your buble, but from what I've heard some new research is going to show that the hands free thingys don't actually improve the driver distraction issue with cell phones. Don't have the references handy but I saw the report on MSNBC a few nights ago.

He sits there mutely, three cars back from the light. He steals a glance at me, and I'm giving him a look to say, Was it worth it? Commuting has changed me, I tell you.


A New York state of mind, on a bike. Got to love it. :)


I love cagers response to a big goofy grin when they say/do something ******** around you. If their window is open I try to yell something like "Jesus LOVES YOU!!!"

I really doubt that would work in the North East and especially in New York. Nor would saying anything for that matter. It's all in the look.

Not to burst your buble, but from what I've heard some new research is going to show that the hands free thingys don't actually improve the driver distraction issue with cell phones. Don't have the references handy but I saw the report on MSNBC a few nights ago.


Not bursting my bubble. But then again, I am not a study, I am a person.

I would generally agree that if a person gets distracted while on the phone a headset will make no difference. I ALWAYS make driving my #1 priority. If I am on a call it is second to the road. I often have to tell clients etc that I have to call them back when I reach my destination. I have hung up on people abruptly if I felt it was unsafe to stay on the phone etc.

Given those circumstances my headset helps immensely, as it allows for full unobstructed sight and lets me keep both hands on the wheel.

By the same token, I would highly doubt I fit into the "cager" description you find on these forums. I don't drive crazy, swerve or do any of that. I drive alot for work and go as safely as possible. I would much rather be late to my destination then have to explain that I had an accident trying to get there on time.

-D

This story made me laugh and reminded me of a (non-bike) item I witnessed. Back when I lived in NJ (grew up there) I took the train to Manhattan every day and saw lots of hilarious stuff on NJ Transit. Coming home one night, some d-bag a seat ahead of me across the aisle was pretty much shouting into his cell phone the entire ride home (1 hour) just normal boring stuff. And this little pasty middle manager dude in the seat behind him, kind of across from me but just staggered so he prob didn;t hink I could see him, was angirly and violently giving the cell phone guy the finger, below the level of the top of the seat, for about 10 solid minutes. Just repeated, 2-handed, upthrusting of the bird. Dude looked ridiculous...I wanted to laugh out loud but he seemed just the type who'd go postal one day.

And back on topic, it is funny how the engine rev-ers ignore you when you catch up to them at the next light, almost never fails.

I had a cager pull up next to me at a light. I was in the right turn only lane, to turn right, he was in the lane to go straight. Up until this intersection the road is a 4 lane, it turns into 2 after the intersection. The right turn lane is the termination for the one lane. He rolled down his window to yell to get on the sidewalk. I said thank you & no. He starts yelling all kind of profanities at me. I smile, & sounded my airzound at him & cupped my hand to my ear like I could not hear him. This infuriated him even further. The light turned green I turned & left him there still yelling at me holding up traffic up behind him.

When somebody motions for me to get on the sidewalk, I smile and motion for them to get on a bike.

And back on topic, it is funny how the engine rev-ers ignore you when you catch up to them at the next light, almost never fails.

This morning as I'm approaching an intersection, a 4 door pickup truck passed me, backseat passenger yells, "hey, blah blah blah"(I have no idea, couldn't understand him). Light turns red before they get through, how lucky am I? I'll roll up and say, "Sorry, I couldn't understand a thing you just said." He say's "I, uh, um, we, uh, um, I, uh, we need a sponsor". WTF? I said "Wow, your a quick wit." and rolled off. I think his buddies thought he was a bigger tool than I did.

I tell them to look up the word walk in the dictionary.

My Star Trek ear-hook phone thing helps me be safer when I have to deal with a call in the car. So I don't hit any of my fellow cyclists.

The only way to be safe with a cell phone and a car is to never use them both at once. There's no call important enough to compromise the safety of you and those around you EVEN A LITTLE. None. If you think there is, you need to step back and re-evaluate.

When somebody motions for me to get on the sidewalk, I smile and motion for them to get on a bike.
I do that too by pointing to the saddle I'm sitting on. They always flip out when I do that though.

The only way to be safe with a cell phone and a car is to never use them both at once. There's no call important enough to compromise the safety of you and those around you EVEN A LITTLE. None. If you think there is, you need to step back and re-evaluate.


when I am in the company cage I usually drive with no radio no cellphone windows down it is no where close to riding a bike but it does a good job

The usual race to the red light...the guy with Jersey plates behind me lays on the horn, revs the engine, tells me to get on the sidewalk...I pull to the side, knowing I'll be rolling up next to him in 10 seconds. Which I do. He sits there mutely, three cars back from the light. He steals a glance at me, and I'm giving him a look to say, Was it worth it? And he gives me the finger.
A picture is worth 1,000 words. This guy just told you he feels bested by you, that he has a competitive mentality so ingrained that you hurt his pride.

Reminds me of the driver in the new black mustang that revved the engine and passed me like it was a drag race. My only thought was, do they really think I'm that fast?

:D

just kick it up a gear and get the wattage going I bet you could pass him :) or the engine rev could be like a male dominence call. Like look at me I am in a "superior" vehicle then you I am "better looking then you" also I am financialy "stable" unlike you who have to ride a bike so he is claiming his territory and claiming dominance to you with the rev

or I like it when people in a 300 dollar car will come up to me and say get a car and if I am on a roadie I say I could buy two of your cars with the price of my vehicle

My Star Trek ear-hook phone thing helps me be safer when I have to deal with a call in the car. So I don't hit any of my fellow cyclists.

Actually, it doesn't; it just makes you look like a tool. Several research studies have shown that the accident rate is the same with or without a hands-free setup. Don't talk on the goddamned phone while you're driving.

What is with people who don't bother to look down the road ahead of them? I recently witnessed vehicle after vehicle pull right up behind an obviously stalled car that was visible for nearly 3/4 of a mile. There was a turn lane available to go around without even slowing yet easily half the cars came to a stop behind the stalled car.

I live in Toronto, there are lots of both car and bike commuters around, and it constantly amazes me how people driving in cars seem to rarely be able to 'read' the road ahead. Things like our transit vehicles (buses, trams/streetcars, etc.) are a constant presence on our roads, everyone knows the deal with them (needing to stop when the doors open, so's not to knock down the deboarding passengers) but still they rev and race to that Stop point, or try and edge through when pedestrians are still on the roadway offloading.

It always make me feel smug and proud when I consistently beat the red-light racers. It never ceases to amaze how people think they're going faster by racing toward a red light/stop sign (esp. when there's already traffic waiting) - it just wastes them more fuel I figure, meanwhile I'm getting a workout and an entertainment :)

:beer: ... dude you pretty much demonstrated your superiority to that guy in every single way, and he sure as hell knows it. You straight-up high-roaded him! Way to keep your cool :)

Thanks, but like I say, 6 months ago, I would have picked a fight with him for sure. As of October, around Daylight Savings, I will have commuted for a solid year. (A weird time to start, I know.) Until very recently, I rode my bike as if it was a car; I was the same as that doughy little guy who races to the red light. (Not exactly the same. Better cardiovascular fitness, maybe; but about the same hairline....) I'm not claiming I'm all Zen now. But I had a glimpse of it. Much better this way.

I had a cager pull up next to me at a light. I was in the right turn only lane, to turn right, he was in the lane to go straight. Up until this intersection the road is a 4 lane, it turns into 2 after the intersection. The right turn lane is the termination for the one lane. He rolled down his window to yell to get on the sidewalk. I said thank you & no. He starts yelling all kind of profanities at me. I smile, & sounded my airzound at him & cupped my hand to my ear like I could not hear him. This infuriated him even further. The light turned green I turned & left him there still yelling at me holding up traffic up behind him.

Yeah I had a similar experience riding back and forth to work. The road I used was four lanes for about three blocks before it was reduced to a single carriage way. Drivers generally vacated the right lane at least a block before the lane ended and usually courteously left the right lane open for those making right turns. I used to do the same riding my bike and shifted the bike over to the left hand side of the lane in order for cars to be able to make a right hand turn onto New Cove Road. Some cretin decided to try to beat me off the line and go straight, sandwiching me between the lanes of traffic. I was riding my slick-tired Mongoose and put the hammer down as soon as the light turned and promptly shifted right, the regulation 3 feet from the curb. He was NOT going to pull that crap on me. These guys have no idea how quick a bike can move...

or I like it when people in a 300 dollar car will come up to me and say get a car and if I am on a roadie I say I could buy two of your cars with the price of my vehicle
hehe when I see someone in a 300 dollar car, the first thing pops into my head is "dude, get a bike!"

That reminds of the time when I was riding home from work, it was dark out, only I and a city bus with no passengers were traveling West in the W 40s. I know this section of street well it's impossible to go from light to light without stopping for a red (cars can't do it either), but the driver of the bus goes nuts, tailgating, laying on the horn, the works. The problem? It was by the Metropolitan Lumber location in the area, so lots of big things were parked in such a way that there was nowhere to pull over. I really thought the crazy bus driver was going to kill me! It was no laughing matter like the OPs situation, which I find hilarious. :)

Careful there buddy. Some of us cyclists are having the same hair issues :)

That's why I wear a helmet. ;)

Situations like that are precisely why I've finally come around to enjoying my phone having a camera. There's just something pricless about watching someone's reaction as you catch up to them, park a half car length up, turn around and snap a picture.

And this little pasty middle manager dude in the seat behind him, kind of across from me but just staggered so he prob didn;t hink I could see him, was angirly and violently giving the cell phone guy the finger, below the level of the top of the seat, for about 10 solid minutes. Just repeated, 2-handed, upthrusting of the bird.


Too hilarious!! Nearly spit coffee on myself.
But it's also ******** sad! As Thoreau said, "The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation." But it also sounds like a scene from the BBC version of "The Office." You think these quietly desperate guys are wearing bracelets that say W.W.D.B.D? (What would David Brent Do?)

or I like it when people in a 300 dollar car will come up to me and say get a car and if I am on a roadie I say I could buy two of your cars with the price of my vehicle
a comment like that just brings you right down to their level.

There is nothing I like seeing better than a $300.00 car, with a couple of $1000.00+ bikes on top. Always makes me smile.

Yup. Appropriate priorities :p

There is an outside chance that I may join that crowd in the future. I am voting for my wife to not take a promotion. I would need a beater to transport the kid from day care on bad days in the winter. Don't like the idea of purchasing a car or putting the kid in day care.

Reminds me of the driver in the new black mustang that revved the engine and passed me like it was a drag race. My only thought was, do they really think I'm that fast?

:D
Just a thought and I'm not defending the 'stang driver, but when you're driving a car and need to pass, do you stomp the pedal forcing the car into overdrive, or if you drive stick, drop it into a lower gear and shoot forward? If so, that's what these drivers might be doing although I agree, watch the road and read the conditions before you do something like that.

I've gotten two honks or yells that may have been directed my way. But I'm not sure, as I don't bother trying to figure out where they came from (I bike on a busy street). Not worth the time. I will however stay more alert for a bit to watch out for projectiles or road rage. I usually just assume they were honking at someone else--I honestly don't know usually.

Had a great ride yesterday. I was going home on an out-of-the-way route and had just crossed an intersection when some asshat blasted his horn three or four times. I flipped the bird at two guys in an SUV with the windows down who were obviously crusing by the dorms checking out the freshmen. The passenger, hanging out to yell something at me, didn't say a word and had a look of complete shock on his face. Then, to top it off, some student on the sidewalk starts clapping. I couldn't make this up if I tried...

The usual race to the red light: I, being a cylclist, have VISION, see the light turn red at the next block. But the guy with Jersey plates behind me lays on the horn, revs the engine, tells me to get on the sidewalk. Whatever. I pull to the side, knowing I'll be rolling up next to him in 10 seconds. Which I do. He sits there mutely, three cars back from the light. He steals a glance at me, and I'm giving him a look to say, Was it worth it? And he gives me the finger. But it's really the most pathetic gesture. He's stuffed his soft body into the pressed white shirt of a middle manager, he's losing his hair, he's not even 40, he's been humiliated by a guy on a bike, and he flips the bird almost underneath his dashboard, averting his eyes. I had to laugh, which I wouldn't have done even 6 months ago. Commuting has changed me, I tell you.
If only he'd get on a bike, all his frustration would just vanish. And he should also get rid of that ridiculous Star Trek ear-hook phone thing.
Very cool.:D

Had a great ride yesterday. I was going home on an out-of-the-way route and had just crossed an intersection when some asshat blasted his horn three or four times. I flipped the bird at two guys in an SUV with the windows down who were obviously crusing by the dorms checking out the freshmen. The passenger, hanging out to yell something at me, didn't say a word and had a look of complete shock on his face. Then, to top it off, some student on the sidewalk starts clapping. I couldn't make this up if I tried...

Huh? You flipped the bird to a honking vehicle and the occupant was dumbfounded? And the pedestrian applauded? I don't get it.

When somebody motions for me to get on the sidewalk, I smile and motion for them to get on a bike.

Good call rule, but does your motioning to your bike look anything like.....come and get some big boy

That could be dangerous

I just got back from a 20 mile round trip commute here in NYC. I lost count of the amount of times I was honked at, but I had my own encounter with a fat, pasty guy with a goatee in a muscle car (same guy, maybe? :rolleyes: ) I was taking up some room in the door zone on a fairly narrow street, heard him slowing up behind me, so I pulled in closer to the cars to let him go by. He decides to slow down, and yell the usual "blah blah blah get the #$%@ onto the sidewalk" nonsense, leaning across his 6 year old daughter to do so, then proceeds 50 feet more and parks in front of his house! I slowed down and stared into his window- poor bastard wouldn't look at me.

I must admit, my first instinct is to jump off the bike and give this guy a zetz with my Brooks. But, this is New York where one must assume everyone is crazier than you are, waiting for the opportunity to take the **** to the next level. It sure is hard to do, but it's probably safer to laugh than flip the bird. I'm working on it..

I do that too by pointing to the saddle I'm sitting on. They always flip out when I do that though.
I may have to try this in the future. My guess is that they think you're pointing to your crotch (possibly even more funny). :D

I may have to try this in the future. My guess is that they think you're pointing to your crotch (possibly even more funny). :D

Definitely more funny.


I've mooned a carload of morons that slowed down next to me to yell insults.

The usual race to the red light: I, being a cylclist, have VISION, see the light turn red at the next block. But the guy with Jersey plates behind me lays on the horn, revs the engine, tells me to get on the sidewalk. Whatever. I pull to the side, knowing I'll be rolling up next to him in 10 seconds. Which I do. He sits there mutely, three cars back from the light. He steals a glance at me, and I'm giving him a look to say, Was it worth it? And he gives me the finger. But it's really the most pathetic gesture. He's stuffed his soft body into the pressed white shirt of a middle manager, he's losing his hair, he's not even 40, he's been humiliated by a guy on a bike, and he flips the bird almost underneath his dashboard, averting his eyes. I had to laugh, which I wouldn't have done even 6 months ago. Commuting has changed me, I tell you.
If only he'd get on a bike, all his frustration would just vanish. And he should also get rid of that ridiculous Star Trek ear-hook phone thing.

I will never own one of those ridiculous things. I see people walking around all the time with those stupid things attached to their head. I just shake my head and laugh...suckers.

Good job though. I love passing cagers when they are stuck sitting in traffic. :D

he's losing his hair, he's not even 40

:cry:

Crud. I take offense to that comment :p
I started loosing my hair at 18. Besides, shaved heads are fun.

Yeah I started losing mine at around 20. Anyway, I'm in Houston and planning to start commuting for the first time in late Sept, when its not 800 degrees outside at night. Just poking around here to see what I have to look forward too. Sounds exciting.

Not to burst your buble, but from what I've heard some new research is going to show that the hands free thingys don't actually improve the driver distraction issue with cell phones. Don't have the references handy but I saw the report on MSNBC a few nights ago.

Maybe not, but at least he has both hands on the wheel now. That will make up for a lot right there. Drivers get pretty sloppy when they have a phone up to their ear, and are trying to drive mono-handed. Seriously, try to compare a mono-handed driving style to a 3 and 9 hand position.


Either way I find this pretty funny. About as bad as the overweight woman (passenger) yelling at me to get off the road, with food particles flying back into her face as she was screaming at me.

Not to burst your buble, but from what I've heard some new research is going to show that the hands free thingys don't actually improve the driver distraction issue with cell phones. Don't have the references handy but I saw the report on MSNBC a few nights ago.

My pops works for Allstate, who have done a bit of research on the topic.
Cell phone use, for all intents and purposes, causes more auto accidents annually than drunk driving and plays a factor in around 60% of wrecks.
Merely being on a phone at all, earpiece or not, is enough of a distraction to influence the way you're driving. It's a seriously unsafe practice. Then again, so is drinking, driving...


P.S.
Some idiot was on his cellphone, biking hands-free, downhill, on a crowded trail on my way home from work last week. Yikes.

Crud. I take offense to that comment :p
I started loosing my hair at 18. Besides, shaved heads are fun.
There's something worse about losing your hair than having lost it...and believe me, I'm not one to talk! I guess my point was that he wasn't feeling good about himself. There are those who lose it with grace, and those who probably spend a fortune on Rogaine.

i've been commuting on my bike for 5 months straight now, and throughout my entire life i've never used my middle finger as much as I have over these 5 months. i don't know what it is, I just get SUPER aggro towards these mindless ****s who populate my city and can't figure out basic rules of the road.

woman in a minivan honks at me? FINGER
failure to use a turn signal? FINGER
straddling the bike lane? FINGER
jaywalking in front of me? FINGER (and 2-3 inches clearance as I whizz by -- this one really gets me)

and WOE BE TO ANY CYCLIST who isn't looking and changes lanes directly in front of me thereby causing a loss in momentum... then you get an obscenity, a horribly rude name, and a FINGER IN THE FACE.

you might call me a jacka$$, sure, but... well, no excuse really.