Treespeed

So I've had the guys yelling out the window twice this weekend. It's never made me crash, but damn is it unnerving. This morning though I was able to catch up to the car and yell back at the passenger, nothing confrontational, just a hearty "Whoop!" His friend the driver, started laughing so hard that it totally defused the situation and the passenger actually shook my hand and started laughing too. You could tell he was a little PO'ed, but he was torn between that and laughing. In the end it actually made my morning and both of the guys smiled and waved as they drove off. I guess it could have gone badly, but it's funny how quickly most passengers forget that you're even there that you can roll up on them at the next red light and get them back. This is the 3rd time I've been able to catch up to riders and return the favor and all times the passenger who did the yelling is totally freaked out, and the driver and other passengers get the joke and defuse the situation. I think this is one of the few instances where cyclists can get their revenge, and the punishment completely fit's the crime.

I honestly think that these guys will think twice before yelling at another cyclist in the future. Of course they might just run them over too, but then maybe I'll have that coming. ; )

operator

At the very least, you won't have given them a "revenge" mindset had you done something else.

DCCommuter

That's awesome. From the subject line I was prepared for another thread about someone doing violence on someone. This is much better.

rykoala

That is funny! I've been having people do that to me lately for some reason. And honking too, as I ride by them. I'll have to get this type of "revenge" sometime. I usually just get a little mad and then let it go. One time it startled me so bad I almost lost control of my bike.

CommuterRun

Before every ride I try to remember to tell myself, "You're going to get honked or yelled at, You're going to get honked or yelled at." I guess it's become something of a pre-ride mantra. This is just so it's not as startling when it happens because more often than not, on the rare occasion that these things actually happen, it's someone I know or a co-worker.

chicharron

I never respond to motorist who simpy yell at me , I just ignore them.

skydive69

I was driving home from work at dusk one evening, and I signaled and changed lanes in front of a car with plenty of room. The guy starts flashing his brights at me, so I flipped him off. He changed lanes, and as he passed me on my right, I could see the laughing face of the CEO of my company. oops!

billh

YOu must have yelled "Whoop" in a funny tone or something. I can imagine yelling "WHOOOOOOP" in an angry tone and escalating the situation. It's all nonverbal communication. Glad it worked out.