The setting is a wide two lane road in an established neighborhood of old money, and recently, rich BMW trendyboppers.
A golf course on my right, large, million-dollar houses on the left.
I'm enjoying my ride on a '61 Schwinn Paramount. The cagers are even smiling and sometimes waving as they pass.

Enter - a pair of cyclists approaching from ahead.
Mother and son on a '90s Trek Multitrack and '06 Specialized MTB, respectively.
Knobbies on both, guess they think slicks are dangerous.
Mom's in full spandex kit, looking like a neon-colored alien from the planet of Peach Pit Helmets.
Jr. is about 11-13 years old, and outfitted with lycra jersey, baggy shorts, helmet, knee pads, arm pads, shoulder pads, stomach pads, butt pads, foot pads, protective cup, etc...
And yet, with all of these techno wonders, Mr. Sir Silver Spoon Jr. The Third is still sitting with his saddle set as low as possible...in his 15" frame MTB.
No wonder he needs the protective cup.

I approach. They near.
Mom is glancing back, keeping an eye on Jr., who's pedaling like a mad mechanical monkey on a basketball behind her.
My side-road exit to the left of me (to their right) is ahead. I will be turning shortly. We will meet just before I must make my turn, but they will pass me before I must make the turn.
Ms. Rich Mom glances foward. She sees me ahead.
I take my lane, and signal a left turn to clarify my movement to the left.
Ms. Rich Mom is not concerned with the cyclist on the funny, skinny tired bike making a left turn. No - she's concerned about Little Silver Spoon pedaling behind her, keeping a nice, uniform 2' distance from the kerb.
Ms. Rich Mom? She's weaving everywhere. In fact, she was weaving ever since I saw her.
She's not just taking her lane.
She's taking my lane too.
And she knows it.
And doesn't give a damn.
"Who cares if that guy on the road bike is in the left edge of his lane?"
"Who cares if I'm heading straight for him, and into his lane of travel?"
"Who cares? I'm wearing the full kit! I'm riding a TREK! My son is riding a NEW SPECIALIZED! We have over $1,000 in cycling clothes and padding on! Screw the guy in the polo shirt and slacks riding a 46-year-old bike!"

I dart quickly to the right, and avoid her wrath, but not without coming closer then I wished to a cyclist passing on my right.
The monkey on a basketball passes a second later.
I make my left turn.
I continue on my way.

-Kurt

P.S.: Send your poetry complaints to (fill in your favorite cycling avocacy idiot here, e.g. Forester's) School of Cycling, 1234 Wrong-Way Lane, Anywhere USA, 10002.

Uh oh. You're in for it now. Awful elitist of YOU don't you think? Are you better than them or just jealous they have more money than you?

They should be jealous of you on that nice Paramount. Some people just dont care about anybody else. You did the right thing by not screaming at them, just let them think they are best.

The commentary, of course - but you wouldn't have a good story without it.

My base complaint is that there's no excuse NOT to follow road rules - and if you can't follow the road rules, and ride safely, you shouldn't be out there.

There was no excuse for her to knowingly come into the opposite lane of travel (particularly when you know there's a cyclist there, about to make a left turn) and nearly cause a head-on collision.

-Kurt

Mom didn't breast feed you, huh?

I don't care what anybody thinks of me on my Paramount, so long as they treat me with equal respect as a vehicle on the road, no more.

I don't scream unless the incedent was almost definitely life-threatining, had it happened - and usually when it is cager-related. I usually do give stern, but levelheaded warnings to do-do birds like these two - but I do not yell.

-Kurt

I don't quite get that one, unless it has to do with helping her son along in the cycling hobby - in which case, I have nothing against it - except for the fact that she's not presenting herself as a good example, that's for sure

-Kurt

I disagree. I am a scofflaw, and so are hundreds of other forum members.

Here is >> THE PROOF <<

LOL

The obviously bought their stuff off the net or a poor quality shop that was only interested in making a quick buck. A decent bike shop would have sold them the equipment needed for the type of riding they do and set the seat height for efficient pedaling. Their riding may get better with experience, but if she was concerned about her son, she should have been riding behind him, which would have cut down on the swerving.

Don't fear. Those expensive bikes will find a permanent home in the 5 car garage in no time. Watch their trash for bikes in 5-7 years when they sell that house for a tremendous profit.

Turn them into soup!

Make sure to heat the pot over a 400 watt burner.

400WATTS!

Hmmmm, those don't sound like expensive bikes, and my fancy cycling clothes cost less than my Sidi shoes. They must have been visiting that rich neighborhood, and were weaving around from gawking at all the big houses. They were probably out looking to hook up with some rich dude riding his classic steel road bike, in his polo shirt and slacks, after he locked up his clubs in the country club locker room and started pedaling home.

is the OP old money or a nuevo riche BMW trendybopper?

Couldn't avoid a mom and her kid approaching slowly, albiet like a mom and her kid on a bike, without becomming a threat to a bicyclist behind you? Who's the , really?

Well, I say the next time you run into the obvious inexperienced riders you should give them a wide birth. Not everyone knows the rules of the road and you shouldn't expect them to. So do yourself a favor and take the initiative and be the safe one.

Good luck next time!

If the OP wrote about a mom in an SUV deliberately being inconsiderate, I'm sure you'd all be siding with the OP. But the mom was being inconsiderate on a bike, not an SUV, so that makes it OK?

Reading your post it doesn't sound like you had time to make that left turn, and should have yielded to them. Since incomming traffic has the right of way. Just seems like you are jealous. Not very healthy attitude.

+1.

Sounds like the OP was equally at fault (and clearly full of envy and elitist attitude).

Yeah, you have to watch out for the incompetent, easily among some of the most dangerous people around.

Some points I took from the OP:
1. Be wary of the incompetent.
2. Left turn yields to on-coming.
3. Shoulder check before changing your line.
4. Don't pass on the right.

I smiled.

Next to dogs, the most unpredictable wildcard out on the road is a mom and young kid out for a leisurely ride. Whether in a neighborhood, or on a bike trail, I always slow down and give them enough room to make the mistakes, illegal turns, and impolite use of the road.

You should be glad that people are riding with their kids. Seems like a smile and a wave would have been appropriate, rather than bitterness. If I wanted to be a poseur, I don't think that a Trek Multitrack would be a good choice.

What's wrong with elitism, anyway? Isn't it OK to be good at something anymore?

Paul

What makes you think your verbose commentary about the other cyclists' attire and equipment makes your rant a "good story?"

I did yield to them - my intentions were to make the left turn after they had cleared (does anybody actually read all the lines here?). No, I am not jealous - just trying to get it off my chest.

I gave them a wide enough berth considering her weaving was no more then 3-4 feet previous to our encounter.

What I wasn't expecting is for her to come at a 30 degree angle, more or less, straight into my lane. This is on a two-lane street that is about TWENTY-FIVE FEET wide, mind you. Any idiot who can't hold their course over a 12 foot single lane shouldn't be on the road.

-Kurt

What's wrong with mediocrity? Isn't it OK to suck at something and enjoy yourself anyway?