In NY, CT, etc., it's unusual to have massive crosswinds unless a truck just went by. Well, maybe not up north, in the boonies.
But on long, straight stretches of road with no trees around, crosswinds are somewhat normal. Yesterday I had to ride with my front wheel up by the other guy's cranks to get any kind of protection. I live in the boonies and we went by a llama farm (in CT!), sheep farm, and regular cow and horse farms too. Or whatever they call them. Ranches?
Anyway I'd move over a bit so the guy riding with me could sit in a bit.
That gutter guy in the OP was just being a d*ck.
cdr