Advocacy & Safety - I don't know what we did wrong

My bf and I went out for a ride today to run some errands around town. We had to ride a short way along a very busy 4 lane road. We were on a shoulder that is 5-6 feet wide.

We had to stop for something. I was standing over my bike and holding onto his bike for a moment. We were not impeding traffic at all.

A large tan American car went by and beeped at us. I looked up to see if it was by chance someone we knew. Instead I got a view through the rear window of the car of a guy holding up his hand with the one finger salute.

Maybe he'd just gassed up his car?:D

My bf and I went out for a ride today to run some errands around town. We had to ride a short way along a very busy 4 lane road. We were on a shoulder that is 5-6 feet wide.

We had to stop for something. I was standing over my bike and holding onto his bike for a moment. We were not impeding traffic at all.

A large tan American car went by and beeped at us. I looked up to see if it was by chance someone we knew. Instead I got a view through the rear window of the car of a guy holding up his hand with the one finger salute.

Maybe he'd just gassed up his car?:D
You observed a prime example of Jerkus Redneckus Americanus!;)

Unfortunately, they aren't an endangered species yet!:p

If you ride a bike long enough, this is going to happen. There are morons on the road, and some of them have a bad attitude about bikes for no reason at all. You can get mad and give the finger right back at 'em, which I hate to admit I've done, or take the high road and just shrug it off. It's more rational and takes less energy to take the second option.

If you ride a bike long enough, this is going to happen. There are morons on the road, and some of them have a bad attitude about bikes for no reason at all. You can get mad and give the finger right back at 'em, which I hate to admit I've done, or take the high road and just shrug it off. It's more rational and takes less energy to take the second option.

I've seen plenty of JAM behavior. I just thought this incident was humorous.

If I'd had the chance I would have smiled and waved vigorously, pretending he was some long lost friend. :rolleyes:

Last time this happened to me it was a police lt. from my own city, in his unmarked car. I am now running for council:)

What really bugs me is when the passenger rolls down the window and yells at me at the top of his lungs. You don't expect it. Or when they are right on top of you and they honk their horn. Scares you to death. Mid finger salutes are so easily ignorable that they barely make it on my radar screen.

Last time this happened to me it was a police lt. from my own city, in his unmarked car. I am now running for council:)

He gave you the finger from his unmarked car :eek: !

Lt="In retrospect, that was probably a poor decision."

:S

If you ride a bike long enough, this is going to happen. There are morons on the road, and some of them have a bad attitude about bikes for no reason at all. You can get mad and give the finger right back at 'em, which I hate to admit I've done, or take the high road and just shrug it off. It's more rational and takes less energy to take the second option.

No, no, no... SMILE really BIG while you flip him the bird right back. For all he knows, you are tourists just trying to "do as the Romans do" and returning his "greeting". :D Chances are slim but maybe, just maybe as the JAM thinks about this later, while he's on the potty perhaps, he'll begin to get that "oops!" feeling in his gut that says, 'gee, don't cha think you could have behaved just a little better?'

If you ride a bike long enough, this is going to happen. There are morons on the road, and some of them have a bad attitude about bikes for no reason at all. You can get mad and give the finger right back at 'em, which I hate to admit I've done, or take the high road and just shrug it off. It's more rational and takes less energy to take the second option.

I also hate to admit it, but I've done this as well. The best thing is to just ignore it. The country is full of knuckle-draggers and probably always will be.

You really have to beat down the urge to give these jerks the finger right back. Sometimes, they're just looking for an excuse to start a fist fight. This would, of course, give them bragging rights with their beer buddies.

What really bugs me is when the passenger rolls down the window and yells at me at the top of his lungs. You don't expect it. Or when they are right on top of you and they honk their horn. Scares you to death. Mid finger salutes are so easily ignorable that they barely make it on my radar screen.

Very true. Last time this happened to me, I had no clue the car was behind me because I going down a hill around 30-35 mph and didn't hear the car approach. When I heard the horn I about put the bike on its side. That would have sucked badly.

Uh, remember the cyclist on here that gave a negative hand signal, and the guy turned around and came back at him? Maybe that was on another cycling forum. He jumped out of the way and his bike was run over. Unless I can meet their force equally, I just let it go.

A funny looking guy in a tan Sierra? Better leave him alone...

I also hate to admit it, but I've done this as well. The best thing is to just ignore it. The country is full of knuckle-draggers and probably always will be.

You really have to beat down the urge to give these jerks the finger right back. Sometimes, they're just looking for an excuse to start a fist fight. This would, of course, give them bragging rights with their beer buddies.
Of course, if you whup him, it just spoils his day! Would you be bragging about how you just got your tail kicked by a little skinny roadie in spandex (or a big one)? Cleated bike shoes do a significant amount of damage connecting with the face!:p

My bf and I went out for a ride today to run some errands around town. We had to ride a short way along a very busy 4 lane road. We were on a shoulder that is 5-6 feet wide.

We had to stop for something. I was standing over my bike and holding onto his bike for a moment. We were not impeding traffic at all.

A large tan American car went by and beeped at us. I looked up to see if it was by chance someone we knew. Instead I got a view through the rear window of the car of a guy holding up his hand with the one finger salute.

Maybe he'd just gassed up his car?:D


Anyone that would buy a tan car is an idiot. BOOOring.;)

Just be glad it wasn't the passengers full moon. That image took awhile for me to get rid of. Seriously though I respond to the one-finger wave with a big toothy smile and a five-finger wave, my goal is for this guy to think that I misunderstood him and thought he was being nice to me. :D

"It rubs the lotion on its skin. It does this whenever it is told."

A funny looking guy in a tan Sierra? Better leave him alone...

Nice reference.

Check out the How Was The Commute Today thread in the Commuting forum. It's a daily occurence for many of us.