My Commute SUCKED! Spitting, honking, yelling
05-19-07, 02:16 PM
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In 2004 I decided to walk from to the LA airport from an store near Beverly Hills. I was wearing new dress shoes and nice shirt, I had no map and was from out of town having arrived that morning. After about an hour of walking I was in a neighborhood where my presence was clearly not appreciated by the passing motorists. While waiting at corner for the walk signal, a car full of young guys of another race drove by the curb and poured/sprayed cold beer all over me as they passed making racist remarks. The light changed, I never flinched, and three hours later I got to the airport with blisters all over my feet. I have a pretty good laugh about it and hope you will eventually see how silly the life of someone who pulls these pranks must really be. On the lighter side, it's like living in a three ring circus without having to buy a ticket!
05-19-07, 02:18 PM
#27
Senior Member
I should add that my passivist advice is only in the presence of yelling and honking. I cannot honestly tell you what I'd do if someone physically assaulted me by spitting on me. The best advice I can give is to be passivist, but there is a high likelyhood that I'd break my own advice in the situation you were in.
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Cat 2 Track, Cat 3 Road.
"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
05-19-07, 02:24 PM
#28
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You're Not alone...
Ginny,
Thanks for sharing your awful story. Like I tell my friends, if you want to learn humility, ride your bike to work. I commute to work almost everyday, and have had similar experiences. But, you know what? When you consider the rising cost of gasoline, we’re the future, and the guys in the cages are the dead-enders.
The car, it’s so twentieth century!
Thanks for sharing your awful story. Like I tell my friends, if you want to learn humility, ride your bike to work. I commute to work almost everyday, and have had similar experiences. But, you know what? When you consider the rising cost of gasoline, we’re the future, and the guys in the cages are the dead-enders.
The car, it’s so twentieth century!
05-19-07, 02:31 PM
#29
Cycle Year Round
+1 on the cell phone. When these guys see the phone go to the ear, they run like the cowards they are. Most have been in trouble with the law before based on how they reacted when they realized I was talking to dispatch (or on a couple of occasions, pretending to talk to dispatch).
05-19-07, 03:22 PM
#30
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Hi Ginny,
I'm not a commuter and but I do live and ride in Denver
I'm soo sorry for the way crappy people are to us bikers out there. Please know you do have some women powder support behind ya I'm almost half tempted to go where you were at and wait for that red truck to come by again.
We have some great Denver people that I'm sure wouldn't mind backing you up anytime.
If you ever need to vent pm me
Snowy
I'm not a commuter and but I do live and ride in Denver
I'm soo sorry for the way crappy people are to us bikers out there. Please know you do have some women powder support behind ya I'm almost half tempted to go where you were at and wait for that red truck to come by again. We have some great Denver people that I'm sure wouldn't mind backing you up anytime.
If you ever need to vent pm me
Snowy
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05-19-07, 04:35 PM
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Ginny,
You may have a rather rough bar on your route closer to your house. To build up courage you could drive your car to the better part of the commute with you bike on a carrier. Then you simply do the pleasant ride. Before too long I think you would start enjoying it again and then you can start on the tougher section.
Now I am about to sound like a treehugger, and I am not so bear with me. America must invest in city to city public transportation and better its relationship with slower vehicles. I find it funny that we want to rid our dependance on oil, for a multitude of reasons, and yet we ignore proven forms of renewable energy....us.
Anyway, I want you to know that you were stronger on your ride than all those people who think about commuting but are too afraid of what people will say or think. I know, I have been one of those chickens. Don't knock yourself for feeling the anxiety, those guys were awful. You know the truck that spat on you was guilty of of assault and battery. Now if the cops will actually enforce the laws is another story.
Oh, chocolate melts....so you need to get fresh loveables every day.
You may have a rather rough bar on your route closer to your house. To build up courage you could drive your car to the better part of the commute with you bike on a carrier. Then you simply do the pleasant ride. Before too long I think you would start enjoying it again and then you can start on the tougher section.
Now I am about to sound like a treehugger, and I am not so bear with me. America must invest in city to city public transportation and better its relationship with slower vehicles. I find it funny that we want to rid our dependance on oil, for a multitude of reasons, and yet we ignore proven forms of renewable energy....us.
Anyway, I want you to know that you were stronger on your ride than all those people who think about commuting but are too afraid of what people will say or think. I know, I have been one of those chickens. Don't knock yourself for feeling the anxiety, those guys were awful. You know the truck that spat on you was guilty of of assault and battery. Now if the cops will actually enforce the laws is another story.
Oh, chocolate melts....so you need to get fresh loveables every day.
Last edited by JumboRider; 05-20-07 at 06:26 AM.
05-19-07, 11:18 PM
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Originally Posted by Ginny
So, I commuted both directions yesterday for the first time.
My commute to work is all downhill, which means all uphill
going home. But I leave at 7 so the traffic isn't as bad.
I was really apprehensive leaving work. I put on my HRM and
it read 140 bpm (60%) as I was locking my salon door. I wasn't
looking forward to bikeing home alone.
I hit the hills and stayed way right, doing all of 5 mph on the longest
steepest hill (steep for me at least). When I reached the top, no one had
buzzed me, no one yelled, I was feelin' pretty good! The rest was through
a residential rich area and flat the rest of the way home. Even after the
hills I was hitting 22mph on the flats. I was smiling! I was doin' it! Yeah, me!
Then I got out of the rich area and it all came to a head.
On a two lane each way, 2 miles from home, I hear a vehicle
approch from behind and I figure they are going to go around. Instead
they get RIGHT behind me and lay on the horn for maybe 10 seconds.
SCARED the Sh*t out of me! Adrenaline starts rushing, I'm getting
shaky and they go around but get right in front of me again maybe 12 inches
from my front tire, laughing and hooting the whole time. Then they lay
on the gas squeal away. I calm down at the next light. Take a drink and
feel like 'okay, that wasn't so bad, I'm okay'. Light changes and I go and am
up to 18 mph in just a few seconds. Adrenaline muct still be kickin'!
Then another red pick up goes by, I hear 'f-ing *****' and the passenger GUY
spits out the window, a lugie lands on my arm! I'm trying to get that off
me and they start laughing and take off! No, I didn't get a license, much
more attention in trying to get that gross off me. I stop at the next light
and squirt my water bottle all over my arm. And start to have a panic attack.
My throat is closing up, I'm trying not to lose control of my bike, I can see my street
from here.
I am about to turn onto my street and yet another RED truck honks and yells
something out the window. I don't hear what it is, I'm trying to breathe!
I ride onto my street and cool down, my throat opens and I begin to cry.
I'm a girl, what can I say.
I'm low blood sugar at that point, the world looks like a really bad place
and everyone in the world sucks. I go in and call the DH who is in Yellowstone
with my son's 6th grade trip and cry to him. Then I go take a scalding hot shower.
I lay on my bed and am surreounded by my other 3 kids who make the world
a better place and I go to bed.
I drove to work today. My safety and peace of mind is worth more that $3.15
a gallon!
So, how was YOUR commute!
My commute to work is all downhill, which means all uphill
going home. But I leave at 7 so the traffic isn't as bad.
I was really apprehensive leaving work. I put on my HRM and
it read 140 bpm (60%) as I was locking my salon door. I wasn't
looking forward to bikeing home alone.
I hit the hills and stayed way right, doing all of 5 mph on the longest
steepest hill (steep for me at least). When I reached the top, no one had
buzzed me, no one yelled, I was feelin' pretty good! The rest was through
a residential rich area and flat the rest of the way home. Even after the
hills I was hitting 22mph on the flats. I was smiling! I was doin' it! Yeah, me!
Then I got out of the rich area and it all came to a head.
On a two lane each way, 2 miles from home, I hear a vehicle
approch from behind and I figure they are going to go around. Instead
they get RIGHT behind me and lay on the horn for maybe 10 seconds.
SCARED the Sh*t out of me! Adrenaline starts rushing, I'm getting
shaky and they go around but get right in front of me again maybe 12 inches
from my front tire, laughing and hooting the whole time. Then they lay
on the gas squeal away. I calm down at the next light. Take a drink and
feel like 'okay, that wasn't so bad, I'm okay'. Light changes and I go and am
up to 18 mph in just a few seconds. Adrenaline muct still be kickin'!
Then another red pick up goes by, I hear 'f-ing *****' and the passenger GUY
spits out the window, a lugie lands on my arm! I'm trying to get that off
me and they start laughing and take off! No, I didn't get a license, much
more attention in trying to get that gross off me. I stop at the next light
and squirt my water bottle all over my arm. And start to have a panic attack.
My throat is closing up, I'm trying not to lose control of my bike, I can see my street
from here.
I am about to turn onto my street and yet another RED truck honks and yells
something out the window. I don't hear what it is, I'm trying to breathe!
I ride onto my street and cool down, my throat opens and I begin to cry.
I'm a girl, what can I say.
I'm low blood sugar at that point, the world looks like a really bad place
and everyone in the world sucks. I go in and call the DH who is in Yellowstone
with my son's 6th grade trip and cry to him. Then I go take a scalding hot shower.
I lay on my bed and am surreounded by my other 3 kids who make the world
a better place and I go to bed.
I drove to work today. My safety and peace of mind is worth more that $3.15
a gallon!
So, how was YOUR commute!
Seriously... you were unlucky on your first day. And it is true that regular commuters develop a certain 'attitude' that says 'bring it on'.. deal with me. Drivers can and do see when a biker is a bit apprehensive. the good drivers work with you and try to avoid you and help you, the bad ones use it at a chance to score 'braindead' points and intimitade you.
Give it a few more weeks and try again.
05-20-07, 12:16 AM
#33
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Originally Posted by Cadfael
They can smell your fear Bro...
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"Real wars of words are harder to win. They require thought, insight, precision, articulation, knowledge, and experience. They require the humility to admit when you are wrong. They recognize that the dialectic is not about making us look at you, but about us all looking together for the truth."
"Real wars of words are harder to win. They require thought, insight, precision, articulation, knowledge, and experience. They require the humility to admit when you are wrong. They recognize that the dialectic is not about making us look at you, but about us all looking together for the truth."
05-20-07, 12:23 AM
#34
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If you don't already have a rear view mirror I'd suggest getting one. They're very useful for picking out possible threats.
Just this evening on my 8pm Saturday night commute home I saw the passenger's side window go down on a large Chevy Tahoe that was getting ready to pass me in a 30mph residential area. It was going fairly slow (maybe about 25...I was doing about 15) and as it passed I looked over at the passenger (illuminating him with my helmet mounted light). To my surprise he complimented my taillights as they passed. I said thanks and they continued along. Of course I was prepared for the worst, but I was pleasantly surprised.
Every now and then among the numerous negative interactions there are positive ones. The negatives tend to stick with me more than the positives, but it's good to try to remember the positive aspects that far outweigh getting yelled at occasionally. The spitting is inexcusable though. I'm generally a very calm person but I think I'd go ballistic if that happened to me.
Just this evening on my 8pm Saturday night commute home I saw the passenger's side window go down on a large Chevy Tahoe that was getting ready to pass me in a 30mph residential area. It was going fairly slow (maybe about 25...I was doing about 15) and as it passed I looked over at the passenger (illuminating him with my helmet mounted light). To my surprise he complimented my taillights as they passed. I said thanks and they continued along. Of course I was prepared for the worst, but I was pleasantly surprised.
Every now and then among the numerous negative interactions there are positive ones. The negatives tend to stick with me more than the positives, but it's good to try to remember the positive aspects that far outweigh getting yelled at occasionally. The spitting is inexcusable though. I'm generally a very calm person but I think I'd go ballistic if that happened to me.
05-20-07, 04:53 AM
#35
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Donnamb and Cadfael are so right. These ignorant prats do feed on fear. They think it's smart and clever to harrass and intimidate a female cyclist. We get them here in the UK too. When I get one of these smart*rses who think it's funny to sit on my back wheel I just hold my space. I refuse to be intimidated. For the record, I'm a measly 5ft zilch and only weigh 91 lbs. What does help me is I trained in Karate for many years - and wouldn't hesitate to use it if I had to. I was also a taxi-driver working mainly evenings and nights until a few years ago. I had to stand up for myself on more than one occasion. The worst incident being 5 men who thought it was a good idea to pick on little me. Wrong! I mauled two of them The other three decided prudence was the better part of valour and stood well back. I'm also good at yelling expletives at moronic drivers and giving the one or two fingered salute. Anything demure and ladylike goes right out the window when I'm on my bike.
I also think to myself that these poor fools will perhaps one day be lying in a hospital bed after suffering a heart-attack being told by the rehab nurse that they have to exercise more, the first suggestion being - take up cycling!
The cost of driving is getting higher and higher. Over here in the UK more and more towns and cities are adopting an anti-car policy, charging people for just driving through the towns and cities. London has been doing this for the past couple of years and many people have taken up cycling as a cheap and efficient means of commuting to their workplaces.
Bicycles are the transport of the future and with ebikes also becoming more popular and sophisticated I would say within the next 10 to 20 years, cars in towns and cities may well become the minority. This can only be good for the environment and people's health.
Ginny. You carry on commuting. Don't let the idiots get to you.
As an aside, I calculated that by not using my car I will save £2000 a year. That's enough to pay for a nice holiday somewhere every year
Maybe I'll come over and visit you all in the not too distant future
The other three decided prudence was the better part of valour and stood well back. I'm also good at yelling expletives at moronic drivers and giving the one or two fingered salute. Anything demure and ladylike goes right out the window when I'm on my bike.I also think to myself that these poor fools will perhaps one day be lying in a hospital bed after suffering a heart-attack being told by the rehab nurse that they have to exercise more, the first suggestion being - take up cycling!
The cost of driving is getting higher and higher. Over here in the UK more and more towns and cities are adopting an anti-car policy, charging people for just driving through the towns and cities. London has been doing this for the past couple of years and many people have taken up cycling as a cheap and efficient means of commuting to their workplaces.
Bicycles are the transport of the future and with ebikes also becoming more popular and sophisticated I would say within the next 10 to 20 years, cars in towns and cities may well become the minority. This can only be good for the environment and people's health.
Ginny. You carry on commuting. Don't let the idiots get to you.
As an aside, I calculated that by not using my car I will save £2000 a year. That's enough to pay for a nice holiday somewhere every year
Maybe I'll come over and visit you all in the not too distant future
05-20-07, 06:14 AM
#36
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[QUOTE]
You got that right. Personally, I'm a nice guy, but I dont put up with B/S. I ride the routes I want to take, and I always ride on Friday. Not meaning to come off like some kind of 'Bike Rambo', but the bottom line is "I'm going to ride my bike where ever the hell I want". I'm not going to pull out a cell phone and call the law, I'm going to pull out a collapsable baton and work you over with it. But thats just me.
As for you Ginny, the other poster's suggestions are very good. Listen to them. Dont listen to me. I'm an arrogant a**hole on a bike, and will probably wind up getting shot anyway. I'm also a full time commuter, and commute 60 miles every week for the last four years. I've been spit on, screamed at, cursed, made fun of, had cold drinks thrown at me, beer bottles, and have been run off the road, so you are not alone sweetie. The good news, is that what happened to you probably wont happen again for a long time, as most of these belligerent actions by punks are isolated cases anyway. Just keep your chin up and ride your bike. There's still a lot of decent folks out there.
Originally Posted by Cadfael
Seriously... you were unlucky on your first day. And it is true that regular commuters develop a certain 'attitude' that says 'bring it on'.. deal with me.
You got that right. Personally, I'm a nice guy, but I dont put up with B/S. I ride the routes I want to take, and I always ride on Friday. Not meaning to come off like some kind of 'Bike Rambo', but the bottom line is "I'm going to ride my bike where ever the hell I want". I'm not going to pull out a cell phone and call the law, I'm going to pull out a collapsable baton and work you over with it. But thats just me.
As for you Ginny, the other poster's suggestions are very good. Listen to them. Dont listen to me. I'm an arrogant a**hole on a bike, and will probably wind up getting shot anyway. I'm also a full time commuter, and commute 60 miles every week for the last four years. I've been spit on, screamed at, cursed, made fun of, had cold drinks thrown at me, beer bottles, and have been run off the road, so you are not alone sweetie. The good news, is that what happened to you probably wont happen again for a long time, as most of these belligerent actions by punks are isolated cases anyway. Just keep your chin up and ride your bike. There's still a lot of decent folks out there.
05-20-07, 09:41 AM
#37
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Originally Posted by snowy
Please know you do have some women powder support behind ya
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
05-20-07, 11:03 AM
#38
Jet Jockey
That may be just about one of the most horrible stories I've read in a while. I'm glad that I've never had an experience like that. *raps knuckles on the side of cranium*
Your reaction at the end made me want to do violence to them.
While walking/riding with confidence is definitely something to take to heart, be cautious about buying too much into the notion that somehow your state of mind/timidity/etc. may have helped actually shape the behaviour of the drivers. It's not your fault. Period.
Your mindset does affect to a degree your own subsequent reaction...however, their behaviour is their own.
If it comforts at all...I've in passing known other individuals who go through life behaving in such a manner in all aspects of their existence. (Brother in law comes to mind...) Individuals like that tend to have a host of life problems and crises that are caused directly by their own behaviour. Of course, they refuse to recognize that fact, and exacerbate their current problems and cause more new ones, all while wondering why their current approach to life doesn't ever make things better.
Basically what I'm saying is: rest assured that these are indeed miserable people, though you may not have realized it at the time.
Your reaction at the end made me want to do violence to them.
While walking/riding with confidence is definitely something to take to heart, be cautious about buying too much into the notion that somehow your state of mind/timidity/etc. may have helped actually shape the behaviour of the drivers. It's not your fault. Period.
Your mindset does affect to a degree your own subsequent reaction...however, their behaviour is their own.
If it comforts at all...I've in passing known other individuals who go through life behaving in such a manner in all aspects of their existence. (Brother in law comes to mind...) Individuals like that tend to have a host of life problems and crises that are caused directly by their own behaviour. Of course, they refuse to recognize that fact, and exacerbate their current problems and cause more new ones, all while wondering why their current approach to life doesn't ever make things better.
Basically what I'm saying is: rest assured that these are indeed miserable people, though you may not have realized it at the time.
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Good night...and good luck
05-20-07, 12:39 PM
#39
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I own a tanning salon and Friday my bike was parked inside the salon. Lots of people have asked how my ride home was. When I gave them the short version of my story, many have said things like; I didn't realise how bad it could get for cyclists on the road. From now on I'll give them more room, more respect, etc. Maybe my bad ride and my story makes a few people I meet think a bit more about the bicycles they pass on the road.
I'm all better now.
Someone asked if the red pickups were the same, and no, they weren't. The lay-on-the-horn-ers were in a large piece of rust held together by red paint.
The spitters were in a big red duelie, and the honk-yell at the end was a small toyota-ish truck.
So, idiots come in all money groups!
I figure that I've gotten all I will for the rest of the season, I now know I can do the ride and hills without much problem and we're looking for the airhorn next week, just for the fun of having it.
All will be good with me for the rest of the year.
And I WILL NOT let the idiots get me down! Since May 8 when I started riding in the AM on my trainer, I've lost 5 pounds AND 9 inches!!!!!!!! Riding on the trainer is good, but it's nothing compared to riding on the road. If commuting can help me shrink, then the idiots can kiss my big tanned booty! Soon to be small booty.
Thanks to all for the advice and encouraging words. Ya'll rock!
Oh, and check out my avatar! That's me!
I'm all better now.
Someone asked if the red pickups were the same, and no, they weren't. The lay-on-the-horn-ers were in a large piece of rust held together by red paint.
The spitters were in a big red duelie, and the honk-yell at the end was a small toyota-ish truck.
So, idiots come in all money groups!
I figure that I've gotten all I will for the rest of the season, I now know I can do the ride and hills without much problem and we're looking for the airhorn next week, just for the fun of having it.
All will be good with me for the rest of the year.
And I WILL NOT let the idiots get me down! Since May 8 when I started riding in the AM on my trainer, I've lost 5 pounds AND 9 inches!!!!!!!! Riding on the trainer is good, but it's nothing compared to riding on the road. If commuting can help me shrink, then the idiots can kiss my big tanned booty! Soon to be small booty.
Thanks to all for the advice and encouraging words. Ya'll rock!
Oh, and check out my avatar! That's me!
05-20-07, 12:43 PM
#40
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Too bad I don't live in your area! I'd come and ride along with you. I've found very few rednecks that are willing to honk, yell, throw or spit at a 6'3" Clydesdale that can sprint up over 30 to catch up if they do! They generally only do it once.
They generally only do it once.
Originally Posted by Ginny
I own a tanning salon and Friday my bike was parked inside the salon. Lots of people have asked how my ride home was. When I gave them the short version of my story, many have said things like; I didn't realise how bad it could get for cyclists on the road. From now on I'll give them more room, more respect, etc. Maybe my bad ride and my story makes a few people I meet think a bit more about the bicycles they pass on the road.
I'm all better now.
Someone asked if the red pickups were the same, and no, they weren't. The lay-on-the-horn-ers were in a large piece of rust held together by red paint.
The spitters were in a big red duelie, and the honk-yell at the end was a small toyota-ish truck.
So, idiots come in all money groups!
I figure that I've gotten all I will for the rest of the season, I now know I can do the ride and hills without much problem and we're looking for the airhorn next week, just for the fun of having it.
All will be good with me for the rest of the year.
And I WILL NOT let the idiots get me down! Since May 8 when I started riding in the AM on my trainer, I've lost 5 pounds AND 9 inches!!!!!!!! Riding on the trainer is good, but it's nothing compared to riding on the road. If commuting can help me shrink, then the idiots can kiss my big tanned booty! Soon to be small booty.
Thanks to all for the advice and encouraging words. Ya'll rock!
Oh, and check out my avatar! That's me!
I'm all better now.
Someone asked if the red pickups were the same, and no, they weren't. The lay-on-the-horn-ers were in a large piece of rust held together by red paint.
The spitters were in a big red duelie, and the honk-yell at the end was a small toyota-ish truck.
So, idiots come in all money groups!
I figure that I've gotten all I will for the rest of the season, I now know I can do the ride and hills without much problem and we're looking for the airhorn next week, just for the fun of having it.
All will be good with me for the rest of the year.
And I WILL NOT let the idiots get me down! Since May 8 when I started riding in the AM on my trainer, I've lost 5 pounds AND 9 inches!!!!!!!! Riding on the trainer is good, but it's nothing compared to riding on the road. If commuting can help me shrink, then the idiots can kiss my big tanned booty! Soon to be small booty.
Thanks to all for the advice and encouraging words. Ya'll rock!
Oh, and check out my avatar! That's me!
__________________
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
05-20-07, 01:22 PM
#41
Cycle Year Round
Red pickup trucks - Sounds like a couple of cornhusker fans from Lincoln, NE. Maybe they thought you were a big CU fan.
(If you don’t understand the joke, you are not from the area. In most states, the most common color of pickup trucks is white. In NE, almost all are red in support of the University of Nebraska football; CU is a big rivale)
(If you don’t understand the joke, you are not from the area. In most states, the most common color of pickup trucks is white. In NE, almost all are red in support of the University of Nebraska football; CU is a big rivale)
05-20-07, 01:54 PM
#42
Down 10# and 11 inches
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Originally Posted by CB HI
Red pickup trucks - Sounds like a couple of cornhusker fans,
05-20-07, 02:40 PM
#43
tired
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Originally Posted by Ginny
I own a tanning salon and Friday my bike was parked inside the salon. Lots of people have asked how my ride home was. When I gave them the short version of my story, many have said things like; I didn't realise how bad it could get for cyclists on the road. From now on I'll give them more room, more respect, etc. Maybe my bad ride and my story makes a few people I meet think a bit more about the bicycles they pass on the road.
Excellent to hear. Making people realize that we are human beings on those bikes they see out there is advocacy that makes a real difference.
__________________
"Real wars of words are harder to win. They require thought, insight, precision, articulation, knowledge, and experience. They require the humility to admit when you are wrong. They recognize that the dialectic is not about making us look at you, but about us all looking together for the truth."
"Real wars of words are harder to win. They require thought, insight, precision, articulation, knowledge, and experience. They require the humility to admit when you are wrong. They recognize that the dialectic is not about making us look at you, but about us all looking together for the truth."
05-20-07, 05:09 PM
#45
50/50 Road/eBike Commuter
I'm making an effort to just ignore the morons. They're hoping to get to you, so don't let them. Also notice that, form my experience, they aren't alone. They're riding with someone else, and trying to impress them. Pretty sad, really. It seems that riding around in their 1993 Chevy pickup somehow makes them more of a "man" than someone on a bike. Which only helps demonstrate how stupid they are.
05-20-07, 05:11 PM
#46
Geosynchronous Falconeer
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Originally Posted by rando
sad to say, every cyclist has these experiences. honks scare the bejeebus out me too. and I've been yelled at more than once. is there another route you can take that takes you off the difficult parts of the route? Once I found some alternate routes I had a much better time. you handled it just fine as it was, sounds like. Fridays may be worse as others have said although I always have commuted on fridays and not noticed a difference. always carry a snack and water with you! keep on keeping on!
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Bring the pain.
Bring the pain.
05-20-07, 05:31 PM
#47
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I am sorry to hear about the losers that bothered you. Hopefully you won't have anymore issues. I usually have an incident every 6 months or so. Don't let the jerks keep you from riding. What part of town did this happen in anyway?
05-20-07, 06:13 PM
#48
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I have never myself had to deal with anything to nasty... I have been sprayed with a water pistol once or twice... odd times some moron has screamed from a passenger seat in a lame attempt to frighten me. But I have never had to deal with pure nastiness.
I wonder... is is because the cyclist is female? I mean no offence to any ladies here, but it is easier for morons to pick on a female, being the cowards they are.
I wonder... is is because the cyclist is female? I mean no offence to any ladies here, but it is easier for morons to pick on a female, being the cowards they are.
05-20-07, 07:33 PM
#49
Two H's!!! TWO!!!!!
Originally Posted by recursive
I've never been spit on while riding. If I ever do, somebody's getting a tail light kicked out. As bad an idea you may think that is, I think my mental approach to commuting is visible in my assertive riding style, which counter-intuitively prevents me from having to resort to such measures. When I started riding, I was much less confident, and people would occasionally mess with me. Ever since I started looking like I knew what I was doing, I rarely get any kind of trouble. Certainly nothing like spit.
05-20-07, 08:44 PM
#50
Down 10# and 11 inches
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Originally Posted by gmule
I am sorry to hear about the losers that bothered you. Hopefully you won't have anymore issues. I usually have an incident every 6 months or so. Don't let the jerks keep you from riding. What part of town did this happen in anyway?
Sad.