Originally Posted by
Flounce
I think I have the anecdote you're fishing for.
I often bike at night - commuting - and am used to having young guys who are cruising around on Friday night shout stuff at me for no reason, half the time they are probably drunk.
This happened last month, also a Friday night. I could hear the car roll up behind me and some guys laughing and having a good time, I turn to look at them and they were along side me and the car suddenly swerves TOWARD me on purpose. They stopped before they actually hit me and before I could even react, but they came within two feet of me and gave me a real scare. It was obvious they were screwing around with me, maybe trying to get me to swerve into the curb and fall down.
I was really pissed but usually there's not much to do when there's a car full of guys who would enjoy nothing more than to stomp a cyclist.
But as they pulled ahead, everyone in the car laughing at what they just did, I could see that they were a bunch of teenagers, high school guys and girls in an SUV. The arrogance pissed me off. My anger got the best of me and I raced behind them and caught up to them at the next stop sign.
I pulled right up to the passenger window and got in one guy's face and said, "you guys are real tough, how about you to step out of the fuc**** car? " There was no way I could actually take them, but I was so pissed, I didn't care.
There was a moment of silence as they looked at each other before the driver cussed at me and sped off, as I shouted, "Yep, that's what I thought."
I'm a 38 year old physician with four kids, and I haven't done something that stupid or felt that level of aggression since high school.
It was a dumb thing to do, as things could have ended very differently that night if they had actually decided to step out of the car. I used to train in BJJ and have learned that there are a lot of guys out there who train and know how to fight.
P.S. Orange County, California, grants concealed carry permits (CCW) to most anyone who applies, and I've started the process to get one. I don't know if I'd actually carry my 9 while biking at night, as it'd lower my threshold for seeking confrontations with stupid people, but it's fun to think about.
Yep, you never know what could happen and it's always best to avoid confrontations. You're right but as we all know, sometimes we can't help it. It would be especially dangerous if it was on a secluded country road for example.
Originally Posted by
ItsJustMe
Thanks, going to subscribe and watch
Originally Posted by
moobot22
What does get on my nerves more than anything is the Mexican standoff of ignorant politeness. Where I stop at a stop sign that another car clearly arrived at first but they just sit there smiling, waiting for me to go rather than just following the damn rules. Like look, I'm not going because I'm cautious of idiots. If you're not going to take your turn and just do what the rules say and what I'm expecting you to do we can all go home. I
LOL yep, I hate when cars don't proceed through the stop sign when it's their turn... Ruins my damn momentum
Originally Posted by
Cosmic Hawk
A guy ran a light in front of me as I was coming to the intersection years ago only to get stuck in traffic on the other side of the intersection. It was a close call and I can bet he didn't see me at all. I rolled over to his passenger side and said ,"hey man, you just almost ran me over right there!!!" He just looked over at me and said ,fucc you!!" And flipped me the bird.
I completely lost it. I punched the side of his car a few times and kicked it a couple more before riding off. He looked scared ****less, so I guess I made my point. I literally saw nothing but red. I could t believe he had the nerve to say that to me. I would do the same thing all over again too. Perhaps I should be ashamed, but it was the best release of negative energy I have ever had.
This is something I always feel like doing. Even fi they did chase me, I could easily out maneuver a car with my bike.