Road Cycling - Looks seem to make a difference

Yesterday I wanted to run up to the bank; it was going to storm so I grabbed the (old bike, has the toe clips) so I figured that would save time. Made a dash for it; was only a mile and it seemed like I could make it there and back before the storm let loose. I did something I never do. I wore what I had on, no helmet and just regular grey shorts and a brown T-shirt, it flet weird; I always wear a helmet and cycling specific clothes. Speed limit 25mph , I was keeping up with traffic and on the right like I belonged; I started to slow for the red light. Car comes up behind me and dosen't pass just hits the horn in short bursts every second for about 10 times, then passes! Another goes by, then the next one blasts the horn for about 5 seconds as it goes by. A couple more pass. Then third jerk blows it a couple times and a person screams out the window very slowly the word "sidewalk......", like I'm some sort of a ****** because I'm ridding on the street. And all these cars are comming up to a red light! aahhh! I've never have problems on that street any other time, must have been because I looked like some 'Joe Blow' on a bike? had to be. never again!

Sometimes regular shorts don't cover everything up when on a bike...

Sometimes regular shorts don't cover everything up when on a bike...
LOL ! good one! :D

they are probably meat eaters and hate vegans. or maybe they were trying to get to the bank before it closed also.

seriously, i hate that. i try to not have cars pass me twice, but drivers think that the road is for cars only. while auto's are the intended users of roads, they aren't the sole users of the roads. you can't teach people what they don't want to know. they treat pedestrians the same way.

You should have yelled back,freeway.

You should have yelled back,freeway.

I would have yelled a word that begins with "F" also, but it wouldn't have been "freeway". Actually, it would have been a 2-word phrase. :D

I would have yelled a word that begins with "F" also, but it wouldn't have been "freeway". Actually, it would have been a 2-word phrase. :D

fire truck?

I've been putting up with a lot of that stuff lately, and I ride out in the country. I get the most harassment on the loneliest, car free roads. Just the other week I was riding down a long flat country road when all of a sudden a Ford Expedition comes up from behind and starts blowing the horn. There was more than enough room to pass with a 1/2 mile straight with no cars in sight. Let me put it this way, if my elbow would have been sticking out a little farther I would have been lying on the shoulder.

looks ALWAYS make a difference, in the workplace, on the dance floor, and on the road. if you look the part, people will assume you know what you're doing and give you the due respect for that context.

if you wore a suit and walked straight into a law office, nobody would give you a second look or ask if you belonged; even if in reality you're some schmuck off the street. you could walk right in, talk to the secretary, get some critical info, and walk out. but if you walked in wearing a t-shirt and jeans...

same with the road. look like you belong and you know what you're doing (helmet & full kit), and you'll get the due respect.

sd

I've been putting up with a lot of that stuff lately, and I ride out in the country. I get the most harassment on the loneliest, car free roads. Just the other week I was riding down a long flat country road when all of a sudden a Ford Expedition comes up from behind and starts blowing the horn. There was more than enough room to pass with a 1/2 mile straight with no cars in sight. Let me put it this way, if my elbow would have been sticking out a little farther I would have been lying on the shoulder.

Repeat this mantra before each ride:

I will stay calm if I am harassed by the driver of a motor vehicle, memorize the license number, and report the harassment to the authorities. I will follow up with authorities and find out what action has been taken.

Positive action = revenge! = Feel good. :)

I would have yelled a word that begins with "F" also, but it wouldn't have been "freeway". Actually, it would have been a 2-word phrase. :D


Free Willy?

:D

Koffee

looks ALWAYS make a difference, in the workplace, on the dance floor, and on the road. if you look the part, people will assume you know what you're doing and give you the due respect for that context.

if you wore a suit and walked straight into a law office, nobody would give you a second look or ask if you belonged; even if in reality you're some schmuck off the street. you could walk right in, talk to the secretary, get some critical info, and walk out. but if you walked in wearing a t-shirt and jeans...

same with the road. look like you belong and you know what you're doing (helmet & full kit), and you'll get the due respect.

sd

I don't believe a word of it as far as riding a bike, unless you look like some bum.
I don't think Joe Blow average motorist gives a damn whether you're encased in lycra, or if you're just wearing some soccer shorts and a mesh shirt. Seems like more a ploy to be reinforced about feeling good about wearing lycra.

Originally Posted by shaq-d looks ALWAYS make a difference, in the workplace, on the dance floor, and on the road. if you look the part, people will assume you know what you're doing and give you the due respect for that context.

if you wore a suit and walked straight into a law office, nobody would give you a second look or ask if you belonged; even if in reality you're some schmuck off the street. you could walk right in, talk to the secretary, get some critical info, and walk out. but if you walked in wearing a t-shirt and jeans...

same with the road. look like you belong and you know what you're doing (helmet & full kit), and you'll get the due respect.

sd

I don't believe a word of it as far as riding a bike, unless you look like some bum.
I don't think Joe Blow average motorist gives a damn whether you're encased in lycra, or if you're just wearing some soccer shorts and a mesh shirt. Seems like more a ploy to be reinforced about feeling good about wearing lycra.
shaq-d gets my vote here. Since I posted this thread I thought back on last year and the amount of driver herassment.It's gone down a lot; I ride the same roads, and ride the same way. This year I loosened up and started wearing the loud multi colored jerseys;the wildest ones I could find. I use to always get the solid colored ones. Maybe the driver's image of a "true roadie" is one in flashy colored clothes? and they accept what they see. maybe?:) but not all of course

I don't believe a word of it as far as riding a bike, unless you look like some bum.
I don't think Joe Blow average motorist gives a damn whether you're encased in lycra, or if you're just wearing some soccer shorts and a mesh shirt. Seems like more a ploy to be reinforced about feeling good about wearing lycra.

out of curiousity, do you commute, and have you tried both in busy traffic...? 'cause if you do i find it hard to believe you'd disagree... where i live in toronto, most drivers are friendly enough so it doesn't make MUCH of a difference, but it does make a diff. a rider with lycra and reflective bands gets more leeway than a rider without, and it's not because of visibility, but applies in plain daylight.

i do, however, do the soccer shorts/soccer shirt couple times a week when i use up my lycra, and drivers do treat me the same; but this is probably because i have reflector lights, reflect bands, helmet with reflect band, and a bookbag with a band. and shades. so i "look the part". it's all about looking safe and professional.

sd

This year I loosened up and started wearing the loud multi colored jerseys;the wildest ones I could find. I use to always get the solid colored ones. Maybe the driver's image of a "true roadie" is one in flashy colored clothes? and they accept what they see. maybe?:) but not all of course

not just the "driver" per se, but people in general. it's the same reason you'll get more waves in full kit... you just look like you're a serious roadie and you're no rookie to be bullied around by cars.

sd

I thought this thread would be about a new set of pedals and a great crit win...LOL

out of curiousity, do you commute, and have you tried both in busy traffic...? 'cause if you do i find it hard to believe you'd disagree... where i live in toronto, most drivers are friendly enough so it doesn't make MUCH of a difference, but it does make a diff. a rider with lycra and reflective bands gets more leeway than a rider without, and it's not because of visibility, but applies in plain daylight.

i do, however, do the soccer shorts/soccer shirt couple times a week when i use up my lycra, and drivers do treat me the same; but this is probably because i have reflector lights, reflect bands, helmet with reflect band, and a bookbag with a band. and shades. so i "look the part". it's all about looking safe and professional.

sd

Probably has more to do with the confidence in how you ride, not what you're wearing, my 2 cents.

Probably has more to do with the confidence in how you ride, not what you're wearing, my 2 cents.

That may be true about other riders' responses (who have the time and desire perhaps to observe) - but there's NO way your assumption applies to car drivers.

Rude/dangerous car drivers either:
1) don't see you, UNLESS you're in something bright that stands out (like a lycra kit), or
2) if they DO see you, the rude ones' only concern are "get the f... out of my way", IMO.

In either case, they certainly haven't observed whether you're riding with confidence or like a complete bozo - nor do they care.

That sucks. I love it that in Pasadena, CA there's "Share the Road" signs with a picture of a bicycle every so often.