Originally Posted by rootboy

Heh. Reminds me of an episode long ago. I was riding my then new PX-10 down a wide street in Salt lake City. I had the green light but a guy waiting to turn left in the oncoming lane decided that since I wasn't a car, I didn't have the right of way, I guess. Turned right in front of me. And I was moving at a good pace. Being a nimble 23 year old, I swerved to go behind him and as I did so, I waved the back of my right hand at him, as in "get outa my way!". But, given what happened next, I guess he thought I flipped him off, which I hadn't. He screeched to a halt, turned around and chased me. It was then I found out how easy it was to lose a person in a car. But he was persistent. I zipped around, crossing streets. Moving to the other side, etc. Finally, I was fed up. I stopped on the sidewalk. He pulled up at speed, jumped out and walked right up to me. I had barely even gotten out "What the hell is the matter with you?" when he punched me right in the solar plexus. Yelling abuse all the while. Being still strapped in one clip, of course, I went down.

My most unpleasant experience on a bicycle ever. A few bystanders suggested I call the police. But I just got back on the bike and rode on, remembering that when it comes to car/bike encounters, the bike always loses. But when it comes to irate drivers, you can usually lose them easily if it comes down to it. If I had kept riding, he never would've caught up to me.