Originally Posted by thompsonpost (Post 10946689)

"Flipping him off" does not fall on the side of conservation. It actually says that you can't refrain from escalating the problem/situation.

I would just leave it alone. You're going to embarrass yourself.

Originally Posted by rumrunn6 (Post 10947413)

good for you Buzz ... glad it ended without contact ... :)

Originally Posted by jewelthief (Post 10950771)

Embarrass myself? Never by telling the truth.

I'm sure you have heard of the second amendment: the right to bear arms? The deeper meaning of that to me is that I have a right to exist and defend myself. If push came to shove I was ready to use my bike as a weapon against that moron. I'm very fortunate that I didn't have to. Please keep one thing in mind before you judge me -- I DIDN'T START THIS CONFLICT.

Originally Posted by thompsonpost (Post 10951942)

From what I'm seeing on this end, you did NOT start it, but you did escalate it. I would have pulled a "U" turn or headed in a direction the cager couldn't and left it at that. The guy's anger will catch up to him, eventually.

Yes, I have been chased by cars. Yes, it is scary, which is why I nip it in the bud.

Originally Posted by thompsonpost (Post 10946845)

That's one of the most "cookie cutter" responses I have ever seen. That's just pure silly. Of course I don't think so. Damn. But I also know restraint can go a long way. I'm amazed you asked that, and from a fellow bicyclist.

Yes, I have been chased, but not far. And you are correct, it was scary, but I got out of the situation before the driver could actually become dangerous to ANYONE. I know how to keep a situation from escalating. When it starts, take a left on a one way street coming at you. Duh. Or a right or where ever the driver/cager can't go. He'll cool off in a minute and then the next person he comes upon whom he feels entitled to threaten may not get the thrashing he intended for you. Think for a minute, the guy harasses you, you flip him off or whatever it takes to make him boil, then you evade him. Now you've turned an idiot into a raving foaming idiot, prepared to release his rage on anyone else he comes upon after you lose him. Does that really sound like a safe way to diffuse a situation? I think not.

I wouldn't have let it go as far as the OP did, had it been me. It isn't worth the hassle, and who doesn't enjoy a little evasive biking. Just think of it as single track.

But then, I'm me, not you. If you feel comfortable fighting the driver for the "last word," go for it. It's way too much work for me, and I generally try to stay happy on a ride. Shiite happens, which is why I gave up pavement for mud 20+ years ago. I did my time on the curb lane and don't have a desire to reprise that era in my life. I've seen more than most would care to. I started at 12 yo with a paper route. I've been hit three times, suffered a broken left leg in one accident and had to take a year off to heal. Any other questions, or can you now get on with your day? :rolleyes:

Oddly, I hope your complaint works for you, but vigilanteism is a hard road to go.

Originally Posted by thompsonpost (Post 10946689)

"Flipping him off" does not fall on the side of conservation. It actually says that you can't refrain from escalating the problem/situation.

I would just leave it alone. You're going to embarrass yourself.

Originally Posted by jewelthief (Post 10946552)

Unfortunately no.

Originally Posted by jewelthief (Post 10946705)

So you are suggesting that a driver of a 3000 pound vehicle has the right to harass and intimidate bicycle riders? Have you ever had a car chase you? It is pretty freaking scary.

Originally Posted by Seattle Forrest (Post 10962207)

Do the police know about the jewels, though? :D

Originally Posted by pharasz (Post 10961232)

No, they didn't have the right to harass you. But you did not help by "flipping them off". All that did was escalate it. Had you pulled off and stopped without giving any reaction whatsoever, I wonder what would have happened if you had kept your cool? We will never know. I would have been scared to death and I don't blame you WANTING to flip your finger. I used to do that and felt completely justified for the same reasons. But you just can't do that. And the car following you after the flip off is exactly why you can't.

Every road rage situation requires both parties full participation in order for it to occur. All that needs to happen is for one party to refuse to escalate the situation.

Originally Posted by jeffpoulin (Post 10960881)

Then you've got nothing. Serious advice: ignore the honking. Drivers have no more right to the road than you do. Their honks are just noise. Treat it like you would any other kind of background noise.

Originally Posted by akohekohe (Post 10963849)

Good thing you reported it. If nothing else there is now a record on file the someone driving a car with a particular license plate harassed a bicyclist. Now if he actually does harm to a cyclist the cyclist has more than his word against the drivers.

Originally Posted by emperorcezar (Post 10960283)

I can feel the elitism and smug ego oozing out of your post.

Originally Posted by Greg_R (Post 10961978)

Yes it absolutely is. To a normal person, it is not escalation. To a crazed idiot already bearing down on him in a 3000lb vehicle it is a horrific insult. Note, I'm talking about the driver's emotional state here... not what a police officer or judge would consider 'escalation'.