thdave

Minding my own business on a 25 mph street with wide lanes and curbs. Making good progress.

I was passed by a older man in a Buick, who honked at me and then was stopped (second in the line) at the light ahead. He moved right, as some cagers tend to do, but I filtered past anyhow. He rolled down the window and yelled something about the sidewalk. I wait at the intersection and go when it turns green.

This idiot doesn't let it go and pulls up next to me after I pass through the intersection, honks again, and yells at me more crap about the sidewalk, which, by the way is covered with snow and the road is dry and chalked with salt, and keeps on yelling, as he's now going at my speed down the road.

Geesh. I didn't think he was going to stop.

I just let it out, as clear as day and filled all the angst of this dufas's tresspasses, F-you! I haven't said that word in quite awhile. Felt pretty good. He drove off.

Not good, really, but I don't think this guys going to retaliate.

Artkansas 

I cuss them a lot, but usually after they are out of range. You never know what a cager will be packing.

icebiker76

Reasoning wasn't gonna work, ignoring didn't work, fortunately the old guy backed off after he got a reaction. Next step after cuss out is usually some sort of violence.

pityr

I cussed one out once (windows down, they returned "fire") but upon reflection they didn't do anything wrong. I had jumped to a conclusion that was wrong. I apologized to them at the next light. Nice couple...

crazybikerchick

Even better is to just ignore him while he rants away like a moron. Not satisfying to him to get no reaction.

mr geeker

i dont know about anybody else, but i was under the impression that it is illegal to ride a bicycle on the sidewalk.

AdamDZ

Yup. What pisses them off most if you look at them with a smile, looking relaxed while they're fuming, and ignore them, no reaction. If you get angry that usually satisfies them.

Adam

cyclezealot

I agree with Artkansas.. Don't trust them.. But, sometimes they try our patience to the point one snaps.. I have , but it takes a lot.. Usually when I snap it's a non verbal salute..

JordanD

Many places, yes. In Texas a bike is not legally considered a "vehicle". Here in Austin sidewalk riding is allowed except on a select few streets with posted signs.

pharasz

I can't say I blame you. That was above and beyond the normal lunacy.

I made a vow to stop cursing and finger flipping, as this only lowers me to the level of the ignorant. But I still need to work on it: this morning an SUV took the left lane, crossing a double yellow line on a blind narrow bridge+curve, and as he went by only about 18 inches off my shoulder I was shouting "NO! NO! NO! NO!". Since his closed window was only 18 inches from my mouth, he heard the yelling, then stopped his truck, with left wheels still over the double yellow line, to holler out his now open passenger window "What did you say to me?" I just stopped behind him, suddenly realizing the stupidity of my loss of composure at having my life threatened, and replied "I said NO. You were crossing a double yellow line." I'm not sure if he heard what I said because I stopped behind his back bumper, freaking out that he was stopped on a blind curve with two feet of his car hanging over the double yellow line. He sped off, retaking the right lane just in time to avoid the two cars that were now approaching the blind curve from the opposite direction.

This happens to me almost every single day on this same road, which has "Share the Road" signs posted all along it because it is a major cycling route. I didn't cuss, but I still couldn't help myself. You just get outraged by the stupidity of some people.

When I entered the second blind curve of this 2 mile stretch, another car came up behind me, waited patiently for the 30 seconds it took to get around the blind curve, then passed me safely when the passing zone appeared. I gave him a thumbs up and waved as he went by. I must continue to remind myself that most drivers are like that guy, and do my best to ignore the bad ones.

unterhausen

My favorite reactions come when I'm really nice. Although the last motorist that rolled up next to me and gave me lip got the "move along or I'm going to call the police" treatment. OTOH, I was on a fairly long ride on a fairly quiet country road and it seemed like everyone had their nasty pill that morning. Some guy fixing his car was yelling something barely intelligible about getting off the damn road and I just said "hi," in a friendly voice, and he hesitated and said "hello."

I might actually call the cops on someone that pulled up next to me and was really obnoxious and angry. Something about road rage that they need to know about.

Japhy

Happens. That guy will continue to be a jerk. Keep riding.

genec

OK various responses include ignore him or cuss back... try this the next time someone mentions "get on the sidewalk:" Yell back "Get on the what?" "The sidewhat?"

rumrunn6

welcome to this elite sub-club. sounds like you lost your cherry. did it hurt? don't worry it'll get better. I promise. you'll improve your repertoire each time. I almost have mine perfected.

Booger1

Jesus loves you.....whether you believe or not,works every time.

atbman

Except for sikh, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Shintoists

And atheists

chipcom 

Next time, just smile, shake your head knowingly and holler "GO CAVS"

CliftonGK1

When I have enough of them, I'll put together a compilation of the dumbfounded looks followed by blind rage that cagers get after I point out the video camera on my helmet, and tell them I'm going to post their idiocy on the internet.

mustang1

ah maaan why didn't you take a freakin' p break ?

San Rensho 

Whenever someone starts in with me with the "get the f@ck off the road", I yell back at them very loudly "Don't f@cking threaten me, get away from me", because they really are threatening me. Any driver that pulls up to me within inches and rolls the window down and starts screaming is exhibiting threatening conduct.

Yelling "don't threaten me" usually diffuses it right there, but it has the added bonus that if the cops come, the only thing any witness will have heard is my yelling "don't threaten me" which can only help if there is a situation where the driver claims assualt.

corkscrew

I just yell "Jeebus loves you!" Confuses people and gets a smile from Simpson's fans.

On the other hand, this is why I carry a print out of my state's cycling laws on my bike. Its illegal to ride on the sidewalk here, despite all the cager's wishing I was there.

On the other hand, I've actually yelled at the mormon missionaries that pedal around here to get OFF the sidewalk.

caloso

The best advice comes from the Madagascar Penguins:

mmac

No thank you! I'm not gay

It'll shut them up, GUARANTEED

CCrew

Yup, I've used it. Blowing them a kiss makes them turn colors too

mtalinm

this is great advice. happened to me a few months back when I was in the road because the (separated) bike lane was under construction. cager yelled "get out of the road, go over there!" pointing to the construction. I was dumbfounded at her stupidity and didn't think quickly enough, but this is a good thing to say.

I have also been tempted to spit at dumb drivers (though I haven't yet). I will confess to having hocked a loogie on cars parked in the bike lane though.