Originally Posted by BobbyG

30F and dry on the ride in, but it felt warmer, even though I dressed lighter than usual again. 53F and dry on the way home...felt as warm as the 63F yesterday, even though I dressed even lighter.

Took surface streets today and almost regretted it. Traffic was very light this morning, but twice, well-meaning "nice-holes" stopped at intersections where I had a stop sign but they did not causing me to have to stop and put my foot down whereas if they had just continued I would not have had to stop. Those were minor annoyances. I also had to stop and yield to dogs and their owners at two narrow sidewalk pass-throughs at two different parks. Besides the fact they had the right-of-way, these were happy dogs and their owners enjoying the morning and I didn't wan't to be the jerk that ruins their day, so I stopped and waited.

Half-mile from the office I was in the center of the labeled combination "straight ahead" lane/bike lane approaching a red light with cross traffic with a car waiting in the left turn lane. A large pickup truck came up fast from behind, veering slightly towards the left lane, but it became apparent he was going to try to squeeze past me by forcing me into the right turn lane. I honked my air horn and gave him a hand signal to slowdown and back off. After the light changed he followed me across the intersection down the narrow, alley-like continuation of the street, for the 50 yards before the street bends right. But there is a MUP that parallels the street if one bikes straight. I biked straight and he revved his engine. I turned to the right to face him and he hit his brakes. Then he pulled into a parking space behind a business.

I shook it off (eventually). It was a light day at work and I was able to leave an hour early so I didn't even put my headlight on my handlebars (although I had it ready in my commute bag). The ride home (again on surface streets) was pleasant, although at one busy intersection a car blew through a fresh red light really late almost hitting a car left in the intersection trying to complete a left turn. And he made me wait an extra few seconds as I saw he wasn't slowing for the yellow (or the red). I honked my air horn and he honked back. So I gave him the finger. I know it's immature and at 63 (64 in January) I should have had more self-control and not reacted or gotten angry, but bike commuting keeps me young, and I consider this a side-effect.