I was riding in Bucks County, PA, on RT 332 past the entrance to Tyler State Park, up the the curvy two-lane ascent leading towards Richboro and chose to make a left turn onto Lower Holland Road (there is a funeral home on the left at the corner). Ther left turn lane is preceded by a large "island" of yellow striping painted on the road. I watched in my mirror for a break in the traffic passing me from the rear. Then, when there was space, I signalled clearly and moved from the ride side of the road across my lane and into that "yellow" island so that I could ride near the center line up to the left turn lane and continue in the LT lane up to the light. My intention was to then take a centerish position in the lane from which to make my left turn.

So, the car that I crossed the lane in front of me (that car was well to my rear when I crossed the lane) catches up to me and purposely crosses the double yellow surrounding the yellow striping to pass within inches of me. I saw this happening, and, since the next lane to my left was free of traffic, I moved left into the that lane (for oncoming traffic) to assure that the goofy driver didn't get any closer to me (by this time, we are moving no faster than 8 - 10 mph). As the lady driver passed me, the male passenger turned around and flipped me the finger.

I gave no reaction, but was very ticked off by this. Not finished, the car made a left and pulled off onto the shoulder of Lower Holland (who knows why?). Fortunately, before I could reach the light, it turned red, and I guess they decided not to wait through the somewhat lengthy light cycle for me to get a green and catch up with them.

I am not certain what y'all here on A&S think about my maneuver, but, I think you'll agree that these two were acting like idiots.

The intersection in question is a 'T'. Riding from Tyler into Richboro, my options are to turn left or continue straight into Richboro - the intersecting road (Lower Holland) does not continue to my right.

Traffic on Rt332 moves along at 45-50 mph, two lanes only, very narrow shoulder that is in places obstructed by overhanging shrubbery. I could have stayed right until reaching the light and then crossed all lanes, but see nothing wrong with my approach, either.

The bottom line for me is that I did nothing to provoke these two other than just being there. I would have had no problem with them passing me - all they had to do is stay in their lane until they reached the point on the road where the paint indicates that the left turn only lane is available, and they would have been more than clear of me.

What is it that makes some drivers want to antagonize us bikers? I just don't get it.

That said, it was the only negative occurrence during a nice 65 mile ride that took me through Pennypack Park (a beautiful little MUP that runs past a stunningly beautiful creek) past Holmeburg Prison, up Torresdale to Rt 13 and on to Bristol, then Morrisville, then, the towpath to Washington Crossing, 532 to Newtown, then, 332 up towards Tyler State.

. . . some minor hills, but, basically just a nice rolling ride.

I forgot that 532 crosses OVER the towpath at Washingtons Crossing, and rode a couple miles out of my way before realizing my mistake.

Nice ride, not nice driver or passenger.

Caruso