hester

i wrote about this incident to a friend recently, but it was such a strange story that i thought i'd copy, paste and share. feel free to tell me what a jerk i am.

the other day, i was riding down sunset when some woman decided to get all up on my tail. all of the sudden she slams on the horn.

HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HOOOONNNNNNNNNKKKKKK, HOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNKKKKKKKKKK, honk, honk, honk, HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNKKKKKKKK!

she swerves around me coming oh, so close and then cuts me off to screach to a stop at the light. i had been in the middle of the lane due to the recent rains pulverizing the side of the road, which was full of 6 inch deep potholes two feet in diameter (only a slight exageration), and keeping up with traffic. i was really pissed, and there were ample witnesses around so i peddled up to the drivers window and said: i have the right to the entire lane, should i choose. you wouldn't drive your car through that mess back there, and i refuse to navigate my bike through it. then i got in front of her and kept on going. she just kept on honking, at least a fourth of a mile, looking like an idiot until the freeway on ramp... i held my ground and kept up with traffic.

at the next light, all of the cars around pulled up with the widows down, telling me how awesome that was. it felt good, but (excuse...) EFFING FRIGHTENING! i figured she coundn't run me down in mid-day traffic, so i was in the clear, but in bizzarro world, anything might go!

Longhorn

The only jerk I see here is the motorist. Good for you! I'm glad the other drivers were supportive.

timmhaan

i know exactly how this sounds. and i'm suprised you kept your cool. i actually started to get pretty mad just reading it. it can absolutely frazzle your mind.

Alekhine

Yes sir. Civility but firmness is my rule too. Just be careful. There are some not very nice strangers out there who will do more than honk.

scarry

If you are keeping up with traffic, YOU ARE TRAFFIC.

jfmckenna

That is pretty cool but remember cars are big and savages drive in them

CB HI

This lady was a bully. And bullies are cowards when faced with someone willing to stand up for their rights. to you hester!

Crazy Cyclist

Dumb broad!! When you caught up to her, you should have emptied your water bottle in her face.

Bikepacker67

While not having the explosive excitement of a spike-bike episode, at the stop sign, it would be so satisfying to casually ride up to the passenger window and shoot a curare tipped mini-dart out of a sodastraw blowgun - straight into the carotid artery of the offending cager.

As you speed off from the intersection, in your mirror you can see the car lurch into a phone pole - now effectively driver-less!

Ahhhh... sometimes ya just gotta nurse those fantasies to keep ya sane.

kwhord

brake check, lawsuit.

colnago_rosso

I have found that if you carry a cellphone, just pull it out and let them see you making a call while looking directly at them. This usually does the trick.

oboeguy

Haha! Well done! I'm not sure I have the onions to do something like that, but I can admire you for it.

wsexson

or your bladder

J/K

roadfix

.....dang, my ears hurt....

operator

I assume you mean brake test. Not very smart against a 2 ton+ car.

moxfyre

Dude, you have balls

I too am a believer in being civil but firm! Did you get her license plate? It sounds like reckless driving to me, and cutting you off like that could be some of vehicular assault. I'd hate to think what she'd do without tons of witnesses around...

hester

i wish i had thought of getting the license. i was just a little too caught up in the moment.