jowilson

During my 8 mile commute home tonight, I had 3 motorist within a 2 mile area challenge me to a race. Obviously, I won; but what is it that makes motorists want to challenge a cyclist minding his own business rather than a pedestrian or other motorist? Being a learning driver, I have watched cyclists ride past an intersection, but never felt the urge to race them or even say anything to them. Maybe this is because, being a cyclist myself, I know that we don't really like to be disturbed by gas guzzling motorists.

Another related question: I have had a few other riders coast past me and I notice that just about all of them have ear buds, but I can still have curt conversations with them. To me, this implies that they are not listening to any music at all and only have the ear buds to prevent motorists from bugging them. Is this true? If not, isn't it unsafe to have ears plugged whilst on the road?

TIA,

Josh

cruiserhead

How do they challenge you to a race and how do you beat them?

I have earbuds in so I can hear my messages and if I get a call.
I can hear fine with them and they quiet the wind noise. Only wear them occassionally, probably more if i'm commuting.

jowilson

They either yell "RACE ME!!!" or just rev their engines to "intimidate" me. I don't really beat them but in an ecological sense, I used less energy to get the same distance, and thus I win.

caloso

Huh. I have never had that happen to me. Maybe it's a Mesa thing.

CB HI

sounds like you ride near some high school.

Cyclist can hear well enough with a little music. Besides, we have eyes that we are able to use. If you are relying on your hearing to keep yourself out of trouble, do not ride near electric cars or other cyclist.

contango 

It's about proving their manhood. If you're riding a machine and can put out maybe 1/2 - 3/4 horsepower and they're in a machine that can put out maybe 300 horsepower it proves they are better than you. Sometimes for an encore they may prove what a great person they are by stealing a candy bar from a passing child.

stdlrf11

Part of my route takes me on a large, 4 lane each direction, trucking route. I enjoy challenging the truckers to race from light to light. Its usually a pretty tight race, depending on the skill of the driver and the weight of their cargo. When we go our separate ways, its always with a friendly wave and/or a honk.

dramiscram

I don't know about racing but I always listen to music or radio while riding. Only one earbud in the right ear with the volume set low. I keep the left ear (traffic side) free so I feel safe while I enjoy my music.

wolfchild

What type of bike do you ride and how do you dress ??...If you make yourself looking like Lance Armstrong then don't be surprised if people challenge you to a race.

jowilson

I should also add that this was a Saturday night...

If you can gather what I mean by that...

*whispers* "drunkies!"

jowilson

And I don't ride or wear anything flashy- Just a regular t-shirt and shorts with a helmet an backpack to carry supplies in, and I ride a Diamondback Outlook converted to a rigid with touring drivetrain setup. I think when I stand up to accelerate is when they start to think I want to race...

buzzman

If you are racing drunk drivers on your bike through the streets of Mesa, AZ on Saturday nights, you will eventually lose. And it won't be pretty.

Just sayin'.

rica rica

Wow, i've never had that happen. Maybe because i'm not a guy, who knows.

kenji666

fify

jowilson

Yeah I see what you mean. I am riding on the sidewalk though so it's probably alot safer.

imi

eek! You're racing drunk drivers by hurtling along the sidewalk on saturday nights? Hope you're drunk too so it'll be even safer for everyone!

dynodonn 

No motorist has challenged me to a race, I guess I look to much like a slow Fred for them to exert themselves to even make an attempt.

jowilson

Last night I when I was stopped at a light, the light turned green and I started my way across the cross walk. I was in a low gear so it was hard to get going. I was about half way across when a driver yelled at me "HURRY UP!". It didn't sound aggressive so I shot back "Nah, I'm good". When the driver turned on to the main road he, or maybe it was a passenger, yelled at me "RACE ME!!!" and sped off.

Someone, somewhere, would call what I said provocative but given the tone of the driver, I'd say it was just a casual reply.

And there is no bike lane on the road I take back to my house so I must take the sidewalk. I know about this whole "cyclists deserve the traffic lane" thing but there's thing called pain that I prefer to avoid. I do it for my safety, and the peace of mind for my family.

WorldPax

While I haven't been outright challenged, I have noticed quite a few drivers jump on the throttle once they realize they are not out -accelerating me. Especially at this one light on my route that has a slight downhill and with a fair wind I can get up to 30mph pretty quick and hold it.

caloso

So much fail in thread.

cooker

Troll?

rumrunn6

I wear 1 earbud in my right ear only and I have the volume set to barely hear the song. I know all my songs so I don't need the volume. I can hear my tires on the pavement. as for why are a-holes a-holes ...? I've got a better shot at explaining love ...

ItsJustMe

9 years and 30,000 miles of commuting here, I've never seen this happen. Must be a real brain trust where the OP commutes.

pallen

I had a kid in a Camaro of Firebird of some kind of V8 F Body pull up next to me. You could tell it was cammed at least with a fat exhaust. He rolled down the window and asked "You wanna race?" I just busted out laughing. I thought he was going to yell at me to get off the road or something stupid, but that totally caught me off guard. I had him in the first 10ft or so, but then he passed me.

caloso

*****in' Camaro! *****in' Camaro! I ran over my neighbor!