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You just can't win...

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Old 02-09-10 | 02:30 PM
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From: Seattle, WA

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You just can't win...

I was riding through downtown Bellevue today and came up behind a Lexus SUV driving *REALLY* slow (<10mph) in the right lane. I didn't feel safe passing him in the 2nd lane so I moved to the center of the lane so that my headlight would be quite visible in this person's rear view mirror. After the Lexus *FINALLY* figured out where they were going and turned down a street, I moved back into my normal riding position (in the right wheel track). At the same time some bozo in an Mercedes passes me *in the other lane*, taps his horn, and makes motions like I should be riding to the right. Never mind that the Lexus was the one impeding both of us. Never mind that there was no traffic and a whole 2nd lane to pass both of us in. (The fact that he was back there was the reason I didn't feel safe passing the Lexus in the first place...)

Thankfully, I don't have this happen very often. But when it does, the people are obviously not thinking and/or are completely irrational. This guy was so focused on the fact that a cyclist was in his way that he couldn't see that he wasn't actually impeded at all.
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Old 02-09-10 | 02:43 PM
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A jerk in a Mercedes in Bellevue? Who could imagine such a thing?

I get similar stuff just down the street in Redmond; like the guy laying on his horn for me to 'move it' at the exit from a parking lot, when there's bumper-to-bumper traffic going past at 30mph. "Um... Where exactly do you expect me to go?"
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Old 02-09-10 | 02:57 PM
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thompsonpost
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The guy WAS impeded, by gray matter that was working like mud. I lived and rode in B'vue back in the '80's. What a drag that was.
 
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Old 02-09-10 | 09:46 PM
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From: Toronto, ON
I had people honk at me when I was waiting in a line of cars, nobody moving at all. Apparently it was very important for them to move half a car length closer to the next bumper. I am sure they would have gotten to their destination SO much faster had I not been impeding their progress through the traffic jam. *shrugs*

When they are that stupid, I can't even get angry about the situation. It's just too ridiculous.
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Old 02-09-10 | 09:57 PM
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From: Newcastle, WA
I actually find the 99.5% of drivers in Bellevue are considerate of me, and I try to give them that same consideration back. I do my best to let the other 0.5% roll off, but every once in a while my emotions get the best of me.
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Old 02-09-10 | 10:51 PM
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From: Belmont, CA

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Originally Posted by chephy
I had people honk at me when I was waiting in a line of cars, nobody moving at all. Apparently it was very important for them to move half a car length closer to the next bumper. I am sure they would have gotten to their destination SO much faster had I not been impeding their progress through the traffic jam. *shrugs*
Seriously?!? I've seen some real a-hole moves before, but that absolutely takes the cake. Then again, a lot of people fail to see anything that exists beyond the ten-foot bubble that surrounds them.
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Old 02-10-10 | 08:06 PM
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From: Burlington, ON

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I've had someone pass me and then immediately have to slow down, causing me to slow down as well, because I was going at the same speed as the car in front of me. It wasn't me who was holding up the traffic. I was also in the middle of the lane because of the snow and because it was night - wanted to be where the road was more packed down and full in the headlights so they could see me.
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