KittiPaws

Well, it's happened. I've been riding a bike for several months now after decades away from it, and finally had an encounter with a rude motorist. I was coming back from the store on a fairly busy double-lane road on which there is no shoulder. There IS a sidewalk, and according to the ordinances of our town, cyclists are allowed on the sidewalk so long as they follow certain rules, such as a bell to alert pedestrians. However, after a surprise encounter with an overgrown bush a few weeks ago, I prefer to stay on the road.

Anyway, it was rush hour and someone was apparently miffed about having to move into the next lane for me, because a young lady yelled out the passenger window of a passing SUV, "There are sidewalks for a reason!"

My response was just to smile. Partially because I was relieved that the remark was grumping about my presence rather than insulting me about my weight, and partially because I knew I had every right to be on the road.

So now I feel as if I've been "broken in" as a cyclist - someone's yelled at me out their car window!

As an update, I'm doing so much better than I was a couple of months ago, when I got winded riding to the next apartment building in my complex. Now I make regular rides to stores that are 1 and 2 miles away, and I can go all the way without stopping to rest or walk the bike. According to my cyclometer, I've racked up 46 miles on the bike. I love cycling!! There's nothing as exhilarating as starting out on my early Saturday morning grocery ride at 5:30AM, coasting down the slight hill from my apartment building, when the traffic is quiet and the world is just beginning to come to life.

Unfortunately, I've not lost much weight. However, I haven't done much to improve my diet. That will need to come next.

Jimbojo

Hahahah, I was yelled at last week to, for the first time, but they were a bit more rude. I wont repeat what they said but I just had to laugh.

Jimbo

Erwin8r

Awesome news on the new-found endurance and your sheer joy of riding! Keep up the good work!

ClydesMoose

Yep, and that reason is for people to *walk* on the *side* of the road. They're not called "Siderides" are they?

indyfabz

There is currently a public awareness campaign in Philly. There are posters at bus shelters that read something like "It's called a 'SideWALK' for a reason."

OP: Next time, tell the motorist that there are traffic laws for a reason and cops for those who don't obey them.

Jarrett2

I thought I would get a lot of that in my area, but surprisingly most people go out of their way to be positive about it. Giving me thumbs up and saying good job, keep going. That kind of stuff. Really surprised me.

exile

Congratulations on your new found joy. Don't let motorist get you down or discourage you, just keep doing what you enjoy.

Also, it is usually best not to yell something back at a motorist, they seem to get agitated over the smallest things .

Wino Ryder

Yeah, that would surprise me too. Instead, I get beer bottles thrown at me and cold drinks, yelling at me to get the f-ck off the road.

I'm glad you got a positive experience though.

donalson

congratz ... lol seems I get harassed by a passing motorist every other ride or so...

as for side walks... I will occasionally ride on them if I bonk... I know I don't want to be going under 10mph on the side of street... if i'm fresh I found that the ride is much smoother on the road (stupid seams every few feet on the sidewalks, also the "ramps" for transition and driveways just add to the suck ride... so I stay on the road is good

Ursa Minor

No matter what you do there are always gonna be idiots who want to yell at you. If you had ridden on the sidewalk I'm sure a pedestrian would have yelled at you.

Charlie

Bill Kapaun

You may not lose much weight, but keep track of the inches you lose.

2 years ago I did a 600 mile month, which was way more than my then typical 120 mile "warm weather" month.
I GAINED 5 lbs! I lost a BUNCH of inches though.

skilsaw

No. Better off to do what you did and ignore them.
My mouth has got me in lots of trouble. Even if you are correct, you don't want things to escalate to a road rage incident.

hallux

This is where I am, I did 90 miles last month (on the bike, did a bunch on foot too), only lost 5 lbs. but my clothes seem to fit better.