Chickenlipz

This morning was the last straw. After 25+ years of trying to do it by the book, only to be cursed at, flipped off, right hooked, forced off the road etc. I'm done. Oh, I'm not through commuting, only it's no more mister nice guy. From now on it's war baby....All out balls to the wall, me against them, war. I'm gonna hop curbs, cruise sidewalks, take whatever short cuts I want and I don't care who it torqes off. Either that or rig up a loud speaker that constantly blares "pull your head out, jerk!". At any rate I'm through pleasing people. Thanks for the opportunity to rant.
I'm also tired of people borrowing stuff and not giving it back, but I guess that is another issue entirely.

AlmostTrick

I'm guessing this means no more "smile-n-wave"?

You can't please everyone, so you got to please yourself.

genec

I know how you feel. I have gone through the same thing over and over again throughout the years... I usually end up going through a phase of trying to teach motorists what they are doing wrong... carrying with me flyers or cards with the laws regarding bicycles as traffic; these I give to motorists who just don't have a clue.

I get darn tired of "doing the right thing" only to have it "returned in spades" by idiots that don't give a hoot and threaten me in their efforts.

As for people borrowing stuff... be sure to mark it before you loan it, and then make a card or postit with that person present (like a library card) and note who has what. Then everyone knows it was just a loan.

Lambo

Shoot first. Ask questions later.

Give 'em hell, man.

joe v

(sigh)

evblazer

Hey where is your commute I'm going down through Ft Worth in a couple weeks to pick up some vintage steel with my xtracycle.
Right now I am running four panniers and soon to be an xtracycle. I get a lot more room from motorists in Flower Mound, Grapevine not so much in Coppell, Irving, Las Collinas though. If I dont' have my panniers for some reason drivers get alot more aggressive *shrug*
Just stay safe and very aware of your surroundings I find it a lot harder to ride non-street sometimes because of all the additional places I need to watch out for constantly.

Sawtooth

Yep, I hear you. For some reason, I don't mind being flipped off, yelled at, cut off, etc when I know I deserve it. If you are going to be treated that way anyway, why not benefit from taking what you can, riding in a manner that is safe for you but courtious only if it benefits you, and also benefit from a greater sense of peace when people get after you knowing that you full-well deserve it .

While you are at it, get some headphones. It is amazing how much less I care if people are yelling at me when I can see their lips moving but I can't hear what they are saying. Actually, I can still hear them just fine, I just don't care when I have my aggressive music going.

State

Heck yeah man, nothin like hopping some curbs and cruising sidewalks to "torque off" motorists! FIGHT THE POWER! SMASH THE STATE!

BikingGrad80

Just ride the bike and don't worry about what the cagers think of you. They hate everything and everyone, the roads, the lack of parking, the traffic, anyone going slower than them, anyone going faster than them, anyone that forces them to take their hands off their cell phone and donuts and actually put their hands on the steering wheel. They are a miserable lot. I feel sorry for them.

mwrobe1

You should start riding with an Ipod...and don't let nobody borrow it either.

mwrobe1

This is satire right?

State

but thats daannnggerouuuusss

mihlbach

It may have to do with the fact that I'm right outside of NYC, but in my experience, drivers respect you more when you exert dominance by riding aggressively..running lights, cutting in line, taking the lane, etc. You have to exude confidence, independence, and control. Also, dress in cycling clothes and always look like you are training for the TDF and you will own the road. A cyclist following car-rules will seem bumbling, timid, fearful, and weak to motorists and they will percieve you as an obstacle or a hazard and will instantly do whatever they can to make you a second class citizen on the road.

fordfasterr

I love posts like this.

I ride aggressively and assertively. I get less crap from people when I ride like this because some of them can tell that I just don't give a crap and I'm going to do whatever I want anyway.

paulrad9

Whenever somebody pisses me off I pull out an imaginary pin from an imaginary grenade and lob it into their window. I feel better every time I do

I think the truth of the matter is that driving is an incredibly boring and monotonous activity and that's why people spend a ton of money on their cars with every possible toy to make their driving time more enjoyable.

Artkansas 

And what will you do when you find that that doesn't work?

Mr. Underbridge

Who is 'them'?

Bklyn

There's real truth to this.

But it's funny, just yesterday I decided to be MORE Mr. Nice Guy.

SDRider

Agreed. Sometimes it just feels good to let someone have it with both barrels.

willawry'd

just put on a cowboy hat and you'll be fine.
and all this time i thought dallas/collin county had the worst drivers...

truman

Ah, jeeze... now I'm gonna have Ricky Nelson crooning in my brain for the rest of the day...



OT - Are you kidding, Chickenlipz? Have you ridden on the streets anywhere East of SH 360 lately? We got it good in the 817, baybee.

Percist

Is that what those seats are for? Isn't that messy on the bike?

Sawtooth

Hey! Be careful with that stuff. Some of us are at work!

BikingGrad80

The trouble is many people hate driving so much now a days that they seem to be doing everything possible to take their minds off it. That is why people are now killing each other because they are distracted using cell phones and eating and other activities and not watching the roads. It is also why many drivers are exceedingly rude and exploding on anyone that further annoys them even a bit.

AlmostTrick

Oh yeah, Ricky Nelson! I couldn't remember the name of the artist even though the song was running in my head as I chose my words. Thanks! At least it's a decent song, it could be a lot worse...