Commuting - First Commute on my Trek 7200 and I thought it would never happen here

Well just got my Trek 7200 last night from the lbs and rode it this morning to work. It is going to take some getting used to compared to my old '90 Timberlin City Slicker but I think I will manage. I do seem to go a little slower than my other bike overall but that could be because I haven't been able to ride for 3 weeks.

But I read all the time about bikers having motorist yell at them and have a hard time believing it and that it must happen in the bigger cities. Well on a spin last night with my new bike I was making a left turn on a road that has 2 lanes going in each direction and I was on the left side of the left lane turning when a guy in a hick truck( 4x4 with a raised body) goes by in the right lane yelling "Get off the road you f*ing moron". Now was I doing anything to impede his actions, nope. I wonder if he would do the same also for a car waiting to make a left hand turn.

Congrats man! I've only had it happen a couple of times but yesterday I got yelled at, somebody making fun of me or something. I think I kind of sucked the fun out of it when I looked at them, expressionless, then went back to looking at the road and totally ignored them. I also had somebody yell something as they drove by, I almost caught them at the next stoplight, it turned green about 5 seconds too early. They saw me though ;)

Congrats man! I've only had it happen a couple of times but yesterday I got yelled at, somebody making fun of me or something. I think I kind of sucked the fun out of it when I looked at them, expressionless, then went back to looking at the road and totally ignored them. I also had somebody yell something as they drove by, I almost caught them at the next stoplight, it turned green about 5 seconds too early. They saw me though ;)

I try not to understand what people are yelling at me on the road, and make up something complimentary in my mind. So, "Get your ass off the road" becomes "Great ass, bud!" It's less cool from dudes, but whatcha gonna do?

Haha, I got honked at last night by a Lexus in the left lane going my direction; I was all the way over to the right. I shifted up and pumped it; I passed the chick and waved (we were in a neighborhood) and beat her to the turn into the Krogers parking lot. Hah! She actually had to get behind me to turn, then.

You're not a real bike commuter until you've had at least one honk and one yell. Welcome to the brotherhood!

Sverre

That's great. I use my 7300 for commuting and I definitely go slower than when I’m on my Centurion but it’s worth it.

Welcome to the club.

Oh, and make sure to update us on your daily adventures in the "How Was The Commute Today?" thread.

That's what your middle fingers is for.

That's what your middle fingers is for.

No, because then they know they accomplished their mission -- to make you mad. The best thing is to just start laughing. That makes them madder than anything because then you are laughing at them and that's the last thing they want to see, especially if they think you are making fun of them!

I had some go by me in a pickup truck the other day mouthing off at me and when we got to the next stop light I was right beside them laughing, while looking at them. They got so mad, they followed me for 3 miles...like they were going to do anything, ya right!!!

The best thing is to just start laughing...

Better is to laugh AND point at them while your next to them through a lite cycle(and wave if they flip you off-really really really ticks em off). The response I've heard about, that makes me laugh when I think about it, is to just stare at the offender throughout a lite cycle while next to them-without saying anything...(haven't had the chance to try this yet, don't know if I could without laughing).

The SAFEST response is to just ignore them, perhaps feel sorry for them as well for not enjoying life!

Come to Texas. It is a daily thing. For some reason it seems to be part of the Texas Constitution or Bible of something that everyone must drive a huge truck and yell or atleast honk at bicycles

Better is to laugh AND point at them while your next to them through a lite cycle(and wave if they flip you off-really really really ticks em off). The response I've heard about, that makes me laugh when I think about it, is to just stare at the offender throughout a lite cycle while next to them-without saying anything...(haven't had the chance to try this yet, don't know if I could without laughing).

The SAFEST response is to just ignore them, perhaps feel sorry for them as well for not enjoying life!

Waving at them is hilarious! When you wave at them, they are just like a dog! When you talk to your dog and it tilts its head, they usually have the same response.

I hadn't thought about the staring. I bet that would tick them off! I'll try that next time!

It also helps take the air out of their bubble if you say nice things like "Good morning!" or "Nice to meet you too!" or "Hello! Nice weather we're having!" Smile and wave. That stops those negative waves pretty darn fast.

Feels so good.

Best to just ignore them. Their mother's did not teach them manners.

Best to just ignore them. Their mother's did not teach them manners.

You are right! Ignoring is the best policy, but it is funny to see the table turn and them get mad, because they keep thinking about that for hours on.

Mostly where I cycle, which is downtown, unless they are a complete psycho, they are not going to do anything in front of all the other cars.