Originally Posted by cyclechickirl
Hi all,
Yesterday afternoon on my way home, I was the victim of road rage for the first time. A cyclist screamed at me that I was "a stuped b***h, get off the road and stop waving my hands around". I might add that I was signalling for a right turn. I expected this from car drivers, but not another cyclist. He shouted this while zipping past on my right (in ireland, traffic stays to he left) giving me a real fright. I was so upset that I couldn't focus for the rest of the way home, when I was shouted at again. This time a motorist yelled at me to get out of the middle of the road. I was in the middle but I had to take the lane, there was no room to share.
I didn't cycle to work today, and I know I should just get on my bike again, but I'm still a bit spooked. How do I get over this? How did you all react the first time this happened to you?
Usually i'm the yellER not the yellEE, but i have been spooked too. By cagers, mostly. The cliche says to get back on the bike as soon as you can. Even sooner.
I say, think of all the fun and good moments you've had commuting, think of how miserable these people are trapped in their metal cages, standing in traffic, and go for a ride, preferably not at peak hours.
Also, get an airhorn, like the Delta Airzound. Serves as a honking-stress-relief device very well. :-)
Visualize that the button is actually located on the stick of a jet fighter, and that each push of it launches rockets at the idiot that you're angry with. Works great for me.
