I saw Retrogrouch's post moved over to A&S, where I read his thoughts.

Coincidently, an "incident" with a motorist really shook me up to the point that I've moved off even the 35 mph roads, and gone back to the 25 mph neighborhood route. Just not feeling safe, or self-assured enough to not flip off or, otherwise antagonize a motorist that just put me in jeopardy.

There is an "50+" component to my way of thinking. After a hair-raising, panic induced bail out over a curb and into a yard to avoid a collision, there was enough adrenaline to automatically raise the fickle finger of fate along with a few loud words beginning with "M".

After careful consideration, a sixty-one year old guy has no business getting "macho" no matter how physically fit he may be. I just don't care to be involved in a violent confrontation at my age (didn't before either, but fight/flight got the better of me at times in my youth).

Better to quietly reduce the possible encounters by taking the "roads less traveled", despite not being able to travel to nearby venues. I gotta get an occasional riding partner for those trips....a witness and maybe somebody to "Hold Me Back"!