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It happened yesterday. I was riding in the road like I usually do, when, some jerkoff, decided to try to cause me to crash by yelling at me as they passed.:mad:
Drivers like that, even when it is the passenger making the offensive remark, really tick me off because, they have nothing better to do with rotten meat in their skull.:mad:
Christopher
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It happened yesterday. I was riding in the road like I usually do, when, some jerkoff, decided to try to cause me to crash by yelling at me as they passed.:mad:
Drivers like that, even when it is the passenger making the offensive remark, really tick me off because, they have nothing better to do with rotten meat in their skull.:mad:
Christopher
I just yell back, "I can't understand a single word you say!" and tell them to seek treatment if it hurt that much so scream like that.
You've never had a Blazer backfired in your range on purpose.
Fools as such will find the stride of their miseries so ignore them unless them swerve or have a weapon.
(Never had any with a weapon, mind you)
"I don't take driving advice from passengers" - try to put as much derision into the word 'passenger' as possible.
Or, just ignore it as the ramblings of a madman.
It happened yesterday. I was riding in the road like I usually do, when, some jerkoff, decided to try to cause me to crash by yelling at me as they passed.:mad:
Oh come on. It happens ... get over it. So somebody yelled at you. Big deal. :rolleyes:
If you nearly crashed because someone yelled at you, you need to ride more!
I had someone slow down to yell out to me two summers ago, I was bracing myself for some stupidity when he called out to warn me about a couple six-packs of broken beer bottles up on the side of road a half mile or so that he saw there that morning.
I must admit I was very pleasantly surprised and actually managed to thank him without stammering too much.
I had someone slow down to yell out to me two summers ago, I was bracing myself for some stupidity when he called out to warn me about a couple six-packs of broken beer bottles up on the side of road a half mile or so that he saw there that morning.
I must admit I was very pleasantly surprised and actually managed to thank him without stammering too much.
I was cycling on Vancouver Island last spring, and I had several drivers slow up beside me to yell out ..................... "Have a great ride!" :)
I just yell back, "I can't understand a single word you say!" and tell them to seek treatment if it hurt that much so scream like that.
A reaction is exactly what they intended to do when you get yelled at. And it will encourage them to do it again to the next cyclist.
The best thing is to absolutely ignore it. That way, they don't get the satisfaction of watching you pissed off which was their goal.
A reaction is exactly what they intended to do when you get yelled at. And it will encourage them to do it again to the next cyclist.
The best thing is to absolutely ignore it. That way, they don't get the satisfaction of watching you pissed off which was their goal.
I either ignore them, or smile and wave. I do a lot of smiling and waving when I ride. See the little smiley in my signature line ..... that's me!! :D
Smile and wave like you know them and yell back "Hi Pat!", confuses the hell out of them.
Don't let it get to you.
I had a passenger yell out the window at me while waiting to cross at a red light during work. I took a couple of steps to the side like I was checking out their license plate then said "Oh yeah, the Postal Inspectors have us holding it and they are checking it for something". I got a shocked look in return.
Smile and wave like you know them and yell back "Hi Pat!", confuses the hell out of them.
Best one yet. How about "Is Cindy there?"
Years ago on a residential street, had a passenger spit on me, and laugh as he went by...I cranked it up and caught them at a stopsign about three blocks later. Laid a great big lugie on the driver as I went by and darted thru some areas where they couldn't go in a car...Really stupid on my part, but I was younger then.. LOL
I like to blow them kisses.
I'm with Machka, what's the big deal. Happens all the time.
I just give them a blast of the AirZound.
The one who yells last, yells loudest! ;-)
I'm with Machka, what's the big deal. Happens all the time.
Yeah, I figure if that's the worst thing that happened all day ... you've had a pretty good day! :D
It happened yesterday. I was riding in the road like I usually do, when, some jerkoff, decided to try to cause me to crash by yelling at me as they passed.:mad:
You have to learn to not flinch. At least those passengers were only yelling. It's when they throw bottles and cans, grab your elbow or shoot you that they get really annoying.
You have to learn to not flinch. At least those passengers were only yelling. It's when they throw bottles and cans, grab your elbow or shoot you that they get really annoying.
Learn to not flinch??.......No, I see it differently. Idiots should learn basic manners and keep their traps shut. I can very well see how someone can crash their bike just by some friggen idiot yelling at them. I had one of those morons yell at me, right into my ear as they passed me. I didn't even hear them coming as the driver slowed and tracked very close, letting the idiot passenger lean way out and scream into my ear. I didn't crash, but I could've. It really, really pi$$ed me off because I didn't deserve it. I wasn't bothering anyone. I was just out for a bike ride.
The driver and passenger had their laugh, at my expense, so I can imagine the real fun they would've had if I lost control and crashed (and got hurt).
So,...I guess learning "not to flinch" is the same as saying how high you want me to jump!!:mad:
A reaction is exactly what they intended to do when you get yelled at. And it will encourage them to do it again to the next cyclist.
The best thing is to absolutely ignore it. That way, they don't get the satisfaction of watching you pissed off which was their goal.
I'm usually the only one riding most of the time. They get bored soon.
I had one of those morons yell at me, right into my ear as they passed me. I didn't even hear them coming as the driver slowed and tracked very close, letting the idiot passenger lean way out and scream into my ear. I didn't crash, but I could've. It really, really pi$$ed me off because I didn't deserve it. I wasn't bothering anyone. I was just out for a bike ride.
The driver and passenger had their laugh, at my expense, so I can imagine the real fun they would've had if I lost control and crashed (and got hurt).
So,...I guess learning "not to flinch" is the same as saying how high you want me to jump!!:mad:
Well, you should try not flinching before you diss it. It's an art I've had to learn here -- given that the situation the OP describes happens just about everyday in these parts. Having tried a number of different responses (including most already suggested here), I've come to the realisation that no response is the best response. When you refuse to react to these incidents, you take all the fun out of it for the dickheads in the car. All of a sudden that cyclist who was going to be making some futile fist waving gesture (or whatever else) hasn't reacted, and hasn't provided them with their entertainment. I've actually seem some drivers get quite frustrated about this, and screw the face up into rather agonising positions when I didn't react.
Sure, it takes some practice (most things do), but it's an art worth learning.
I like to blow them kisses.
Hahahahaha! I do that do too, even when I get honked at for no apparent reason. It really helps to diffuse your [potential] anger. I find that if I respond in an agressive or defensive comeback, it only serves to escalate my agitation.:mad:
One of the reasons I love cycling is it brings me great joy. Don't let them take that from you.:)
Hahahahaha! I do that do too, even when I get honked at for no apparent reason. It really helps to diffuse your [potential] anger. I find that if I respond in an agressive or defensive comeback, it only serves to escalate my agitation.:mad:
One of the reasons I love cycling is it brings me great joy. Don't let them take that from you.:)
Exactly.
Best one yet. How about "Is Cindy there?"
I use Pat since it can be both a man's and a woman's name, you can't always see the honking asshat.
I have that happen occasionally and I usually ignore it, but one time in Seattle the offenders got stuck in traffic up ahead and I was able to catch them. I rolled up quietly next to the yelling passenger who was facing away from the window and literally screamed at the top of my lungs. The guy about jumped out of his skin, while his comrades laughed their @sses off. I have a feeling that he doesn't yell at cyclists anymore if he isn't dead from a heart attack.
[QUOTE=Chris L;5692760][color=red]Well, you should try not flinching before you diss it.
Thats okay mate, I'll leave that up to you!....You can go and teach someone else your wisdom, cuz I aint buyin'. (I mean that in a good way btw) :D
The fact remains that I dont like it when some friggen idiot screams in my ear. It startles me and angers me, and doing absolutely nothing sends the message that its okay to violate me. That its okay to make me flinch, and cause me to crash. I mean, whats next??.....the punks throwing concrete blocks off overpasses??.......Driving by an old lady walking on the side of the road and clubbing her with a beer bottle?? No sir, it is not okay to violate me. Its not okay to scream in my ear, or throw things at me, or slap me on the *****. I'm not going to grow thicker skin, or learn not to flinch, but I will lower my tolerance of it. And may god have mercy on your friggen soul if I ever get my hands on you!!:mad:
All I ever hear is 'You're doing great!", "You have bigger legs than Lance!", or "You have a nice a##, if you can catch me I'll have mad passionate sex with you!"*
It makes me ride farther and faster while I have a huge smile on my face...
*disclaimer - I have no idea what they actually said...
Well, you should try not flinching before you diss it. It's an art I've had to learn here -- given that the situation the OP describes happens just about everyday in these parts. Having tried a number of different responses (including most already suggested here), I've come to the realisation that no response is the best response. When you refuse to react to these incidents, you take all the fun out of it for the dickheads in the car. All of a sudden that cyclist who was going to be making some futile fist waving gesture (or whatever else) hasn't reacted, and hasn't provided them with their entertainment. I've actually seem some drivers get quite frustrated about this, and screw the face up into rather agonising positions when I didn't react.
Sure, it takes some practice (most things do), but it's an art worth learning.
+1
Plus ... reacting negatively is rather immature. It brings you down to their level and accomplishes nothing. Personally, I'd rather take the high road and either ignore them completely, or smile and wave happily. Either reaction is not what they hoped for ... so I win! :)
[QUOTE][QUOTE=Machka;5699036]+1
Plus ... reacting negatively is rather immature. It brings you down to their level
No, Machka you are wrong!!....(on both accounts).......but I dont expect you or Chris L to understand that. I just hope when some punk sneaks up behind you and slaps you on your rear you wont let yourself down and take offense to it. Oh yeah, and dont flinch either, it shows your immaturity. ;)
No, Machka you are wrong!!....(on both accounts).......but I dont expect you or Chris L to understand that. I just hope when some punk sneaks up behind you and slaps you on your rear you wont let yourself down and take offense to it. Oh yeah, and dont flinch either, it shows your immaturity. ;)
Having someone yell at you, and having someone invade one's personal space by slapping or hitting or throwing things, are two different things.
There are plenty of idiots out there in all walks of life. As a cyclist, we are viewed as easy prey. Especially when they are in cars. I've had things thrown at me. And ya, I got really p***ed off.
One time on my morning commute (5am), I had some kids in an SUV come up behind me and one of the guys gave me a light slap on the shoulder. My initial reaction was 'WTF!' But as soon as I saw the smile on his face, it totally diffused my anger. Really. I didn't percieve it as a malicious act, and I don't think he intended it as one. That being said, it doesn't make it right.
It is difficult to NOT react in these situations, but if one can (serious personal-space intrusion excluded), all the more power to you.
I usually smile and say "Jesus loves you". Assuming they even heard what I said (they most likely wont anyways) then they will surely be uncomfortable. Try it some time, just walk up to a stranger and tell them you want to talk about Jesus.
I can't say that I've had an errant bottle, a slap on the rear, or my elbow grabbed. I would call the first and last assault and would certainly hope that the next car inline would stop and assist me should I go down. I would rather have my immediate needs addressed than revenge. The butt smacking I would take as a compliment :-D Either way, sorry to hear about your ear drum, you'll get over it.
Thats okay mate, I'll leave that up to you!....You can go and teach someone else your wisdom, cuz I aint buyin'. (I mean that in a good way btw) :D
The fact remains that I dont like it when some friggen idiot screams in my ear. It startles me and angers me, and doing absolutely nothing sends the message that its okay to violate me. That its okay to make me flinch, and cause me to crash. I mean, whats next??.....the punks throwing concrete blocks off overpasses??.......Driving by an old lady walking on the side of the road and clubbing her with a beer bottle?? No sir, it is not okay to violate me. Its not okay to scream in my ear, or throw things at me, or slap me on the *****. I'm not going to grow thicker skin, or learn not to flinch, but I will lower my tolerance of it. And may god have mercy on your friggen soul if I ever get my hands on you!!:mad:
I don't get it. What exactly do you think is going to happen?
You say you shouldn't have to learn not to flinch, etc. That's true. You shouldn't have to. However, we ALL know life isn't fair. So, that said, what exactly do you want to occur when you get angry and mad at these drivers who yell at you or smack you on the butt?
Do you think that the driver will turn to the passenger and say "whoa dude, did you see how mad that guy got? We probably shouldn't do stuff like this anymore, that was scary"?
I expect it's much more like "hahahahahaha, did you see how freakin mad that loser got? That was awesome!".
+1
Plus ... reacting negatively is rather immature. It brings you down to their level and accomplishes nothing. Personally, I'd rather take the high road and either ignore them completely, or smile and wave happily. Either reaction is not what they hoped for ... so I win! :)
So Machka how would you react to a motorist approaching you on a steep hill, with the passenger opening the door and reaching out to slap your behind?
That happened here a few years ago... the cyclist was startled and went down. She suffered only bruises and scratches. Apparently the slap occurred with a bit of force as the passenger didn't bother to take into account the fact that the car was moving.
Personally I find the passengers actions immature, and the cyclists' reactions predictable.
It's also assault and battery, so if it happens get their tag number and file charges.
All I ever hear is 'You're doing great!", "You have bigger legs than Lance!", or "You have a nice a##, if you can catch me I'll have mad passionate sex with you!"*
It makes me ride farther and faster while I have a huge smile on my face...
*disclaimer - I have no idea what they actually said...
Haha love it.
No, Machka you are wrong!!....(on both accounts).......but I dont expect you or Chris L to understand that. I just hope when some punk sneaks up behind you and slaps you on your rear you wont let yourself down and take offense to it. Oh yeah, and dont flinch either, it shows your immaturity. ;)
You're talking to someone who has likely ridden more miles than you've ever dreamed possible. :)
And I have had people come up and yell at me, like the OP experienced. And I have had cars pull up behind me and the passenger has suddenly opened the door with the intent of hitting me -- that has happened twice, and both times it was a very close call. The only reason I didn't get hit was because I realized what was going on at the last second and took evasive action. I've also had any number of things thrown at me.
My reaction ... ignore it or smile and wave. :)
What would be the point of doing anything else?
If I yelled and swore ... they won. That's what they want ... and if I react, they'll do it again to me or another cyclist. But that's not what I want. What I want is for them to know that no matter what they do, I will not react, so there is no point for them to continue doing what they are doing. Perhaps it has something to do with my age. I'm not a teenager anymore ... I'm an adult, and it takes a lot to get me angry ... especially while cycling. I also realize that there are MUCH better ways of dealing with situations than bursting out in anger.
If I felt that the person endangered my life, and if I was quick enough as I was in one instance where the driver nearly mowed me down, I get their licence numbers and report them to the police. Let the law handle it.
[QUOTE=ZeroPt99;5700418]I don't get it. What exactly do you think is going to happen?
What do you mean, you dont get it???..... If you was slapped on the rear or screamed at into your ear, I guess you'd get it then, would'nt ya???
Look here, I'm not the bad guy here. I just dont like groveling, which is exactly what you're doing when you smile or give them a thumbs up, or do anything you think confuses them or deprives them of their laughter at your expense. I got news fer ya, you're not going to confuse them, but you may deprive them of their potential fun, only they'll still be laughing simply because they got you.
So tell me, man??.....do you like being got??
All you people seem to chastise me like I'm in the wrong, simply because I dont like it. Well I dont like it, and you would'nt like it either! There's no room for that kind of behavior in modern society. If there was room for it, then there's room for me to pack a pistol and blow some stupid sh't away. Fortunately I'm no killer. So hows about wising the hell up and stop kidding yourselves!......You know you hate it.
What do you mean, you dont get it???..... If you was slapped on the rear or screamed at into your ear, I guess you'd get it then, would'nt ya???
Look here, I'm not the bad guy here. I just dont like groveling, which is exactly what you're doing when you smile or give them a thumbs up, or do anything you think confuses them or deprives them of their laughter at your expense. I got news fer ya, you're not going to confuse them, but you may deprive them of their potential fun, only they'll still be laughing simply because they got you.
So tell me, man??.....do you like being got??
All you people seem to chastise me like I'm in the wrong, simply because I dont like it. Well I dont like it, and you would'nt like it either! There's no room for that kind of behavior in modern society. If there was room for it, then there's room for me to pack a pistol and blow some stupid sh't away. Fortunately I'm no killer. So hows about wising the hell up and stop kidding yourselves!......You know you hate it.
Nobody is condoning this behaviour.
Nobody is judging you for an initial reaction of shock, fear/terror.
The point of the matter is if some sort of assault didn't occur (federal/provincial/state laws will probably vary on this)...let it slide, even though it's rude,unacceptable, beligerant and a whole other list of things. Whether it breaks any laws, report it if you deem it necessary.
What one does after the fact doesn't involve cycling at all. It shows one's response-ability. And that falls into a whole other category of human behaviour.
Not responding is taking the high road - not grovelling.
[QUOTE]
What do you mean, you dont get it???..... If you was slapped on the rear or screamed at into your ear, I guess you'd get it then, would'nt ya???
Look here, I'm not the bad guy here. I just dont like groveling, which is exactly what you're doing when you smile or give them a thumbs up, or do anything you think confuses them or deprives them of their laughter at your expense. I got news fer ya, you're not going to confuse them, but you may deprive them of their potential fun, only they'll still be laughing simply because they got you.
So tell me, man??.....do you like being got??
All you people seem to chastise me like I'm in the wrong, simply because I dont like it. Well I dont like it, and you would'nt like it either! There's no room for that kind of behavior in modern society. If there was room for it, then there's room for me to pack a pistol and blow some stupid sh't away. Fortunately I'm no killer. So hows about wising the hell up and stop kidding yourselves!......You know you hate it.
I don't know what the *best* reaction is...but, I do know that "smile and wave" is not my style.
If somebody f*cks with me...it's Game On. I've chased down cars and chewed out drivers, thrown the finger and F-bombs when necessary or warranted. I've been toe-to-toe with drivers in the middle of the road, and chased a carload of kids (they actually blew a stop sign to get away from the crazy old guy chasing them).
Thankfully, it doesn't happen often, but I don't tolerate being messed with...YMMV.
Not responding is taking the high road - not grovelling.[/QUOTE]
Well, mebbe so. Fortunately no one has ever tried to slap my rear, but I did have one guy (idiot) scream in my ear once. Really startled me, then it was "fade to black" from there on. Of course there was nothing I could do about it because they sped off, but I dont smile and wave at them for it. Mainly I just grit my teeth and try to get my blood pressure down.
If I could get to them,...well, it be a different story then.
What do you mean, you dont get it???..... If you was slapped on the rear or screamed at into your ear, I guess you'd get it then, would'nt ya???
It's happened before. It was aggrivating, but I ignored them as best I could and kept pumping, cause they were long gone by the time I realized what the heck had just happened.
Let's face it - You basically have two choices - scream "f-you!" at a car driving away quickly, and be all pissed off for the next 15 minutes of your ride, or let it go.
Unless circumstances just happen to go your way (like they get caught at a light), you don't really have much other choice.
Anyway, to answer your question, what I "don't get" is WHY you choose to be so angry over something when that solution does absolutely no harm to anyone but YOU. The driver isn't scared off, or affected in any way. All you doing angry accomplishes is to ruin YOUR day. So that's what I don't get - why not try and calm down and let it go? The other person is LONG GONE. They are in a moving vehicle traveling 40+ mph and you're on a freaking bicycle. Your "options" to retaliate are usually slim to none. So the whole issue here is whether or not you choose to let it ruin your day. Yours. It has nothing to do with them.
If I could get to them,...well, it be a different story then.
See, if that were the case, I'd have no qualms with you being mad at them or rolling up to their window at a light and doing whatever. That makes sense to me in a testosterone-induced way that I can relate to.
My whole point is...once they've sped on off... being mad doesn't do anything except make the rest of your ride suck. Whereas, if you can manage to take a deep breath and try and relax, you could still enjoy the fresh air and have a good ride and not go back home grumpy and irritated that some jerk screamed in your ear during your ride.
[QUOTE]
In reality no one would like it,.... I guess,..... but you're right of course.
I did have one incident that turned out good though. A few years ago a car load of punks threw an ink pen at me, hitting me in the side. I thought I had been stung by a bee at first, until I saw the ink pen scittering across the road and then I knew I had been hit. The car load of punks were laughing as they passed by me, all of this happening about the same time. When I saw they were slowing at the nearby traffic light, I sprinted towards them flat out, mad as hell. Of course I wasn't going to beat on no damn kids, but I was going to read the riot act to them.
As I was speeding up to them, maybe 100 yards away, I could see they were jumping around real antsy like inside the car, and for a moment I thought they were going to bail out of it they were so upset. Finally they just ran the red light and put it in flight. After seeing all that, I was laughing too hard to think about my anger, and just watched them gas on it, getting the hell outa there.
Here in the next few days I will be accepting a promotion, but it will be at another plant much further away, increasing my commute to 26 miles round trip. It will be double the miles from what I've been doing, so I hope it does'nt mean double the idiots! :D
In reality no one would like it,.... I guess,..... but you're right of course.
I did have one incident that turned out good though. A few years ago a car load of punks threw an ink pen at me, hitting me in the side. I thought I had been stung by a bee at first, until I saw the ink pen scittering across the road and then I knew I had been hit. The car load of punks were laughing as they passed by me, all of this happening about the same time. When I saw they were slowing at the nearby traffic light, I sprinted towards them flat out, mad as hell. Of course I wasn't going to beat on no damn kids, but I was going to read the riot act to them.
As I was speeding up to them, maybe 100 yards away, I could see they were jumping around real antsy like inside the car, and for a moment I thought they were going to bail out of it they were so upset. Finally they just ran the red light and put it in flight. After seeing all that, I was laughing too hard to think about my anger, and just watched them gas on it, getting the hell outa there.
Here in the next few days I will be accepting a promotion, but it will be at another plant much further away, increasing my commute to 26 miles round trip. It will be double the miles from what I've been doing, so I hope it does'nt mean double the idiots! :D
Only way you could improve on that would be to have them blow the light right in front of a cop.
Hey Wino Ryder, if it'll make you feel any better, if the offensive cager turns into a parking lot a few 100 yards after they accosted you, I'm all for waiting for them to go waddle into the mall/fastfood-joint and then deflating their tires.
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