Consecutive bicycle work commute number 2199:

Not a bad morning temp-wise. 66°F with barely any wind. The temp is only supposed to top out around 72°F as well, which will be a nice change from the warm temps we've been having (yesterday was predicted to be 89°F and wound up actually being 93°F.)

Rain is supposed to be moving in later today, so I preemptively rode the hybrid with fenders. First time since June 3rd, and I've only put about 200 miles on this bike so far this calendar year. Considering how much rain we've had, that's actually a bit surprising that I've ridden it so little. The rain has been conveniently avoiding most of my usual commute times. The tires on the bike were down to 20 psi prior to me pumping them up, so I know it has sat unridden for a while.

I had a driver get aggressive with me this morning. Thankfully It happens seldom enough that when it does occur it catches me off guard.

I pulled up to a "T" intersection coming off a quiet residential street, signalling to turn right onto a busy artery. I usually have to sit for a minute or two until a gap in traffic happens. While I was sitting and waiting, a truck pulling a trailer came up behind me. I saw in my mirror that the driver was also signalling for a right turn.

About 1/4 mile down the road I could see a gap in traffic forming, and was preparing to merge once the gap reached me. The truck driver must have also seen the gap, and began to pull around my left side to try and make a right turn in front of me. The truck was close enough that I knew if that happened, the trailer being pulled would have cut the corner sharper and likely taken me out.

So I moved over in front of the truck to block it and signaled with my hand for the driver to wait. Apparently that angered the driver. The traffic gap reached us and I made my right turn onto the road. The truck driver pulled out immediately on my tail, then I guess in order to show dominance passed me on the right and gunned the engine.

<sarcasm>I certainly learned my lesson about who is more virile.</sarcasm> Oh well. Better an angry driver than a dead me.