This is a little off topic but it's kind of funny in a gross sort of way.

I ride near the coast of Georgia and was starting to cross a causeway over the marsh when a great white egret launched out over me and defecated on my helmet.

I don't think there was any malice intended.

It just never ceases to amaze me that this happens. What is most amazing to me, is how often cyclists have food tossed at them. Just think: People can actually afford to buy food, and throw at at someone else, just because. Over the years, I have had "the usual" objects tossed at me: Beer bottles, (twice, and always a certain domestic brand. Funny, that.) eggs, (once) Partially eaten fast food, cigarette butts, (always from the crappiest cars imaginable.) and on one funny occasion, a half empty cup of Dunkin Donuts coffee. It was a crisp spring morning, and there was a pretty good headwind. This junky small car (with a coat hanger radio antenna) goes by, and a real Harvard PhD type yells something highly intelligent at me, then hurls the coffee. What happened next was a thing of beauty: The coffee, caught in the wind, made a lovely arc, and splattered all over the side and rear deck of the car. No, not a drop came near me. PhD type then shrieks something else of great wisdom at me, then they sped off as fast as possible. (Car belched funny, blueish smoke..) I didn't see the driver. Guess they were late for their jobs at Quicky Lube.

Well.... I'm done ranting now. Good night, and good luck.

And another- I don't live out there, but spent a LOT of time out there (PAX), and used to bring my bike with me. Love the riding down around Lex Park and down to the point.

The usual array of soda and beer cans, fast food wrappers and the like. Plus having cars pass as close as they can - within inches - and yelling. Startles me every time.

The worst thing thrown at me was a used diaper.

It sure takes a lot a lot of brains and courage to throw or yell something and then drive away at 60 mph, doesn't it?

Not that I am recommending this, but I know a rider who carries a couple of old golf balls in the pocket of his jersey. Amazing what a golf ball can do to a car when it hits it.......

Many moons ago and out with my daughters on a ride and yobbo threw a coke can at daughter. Still had some in it so picked it up and rode over to the yob. I asked him if he would like to apoligise to my daughter and he didn't want to. Then his mother came out and had a go at me for confronting her son. I just called the police and let them sort it out. Took 10 minutes of me sitting outside the house waiting for the Police to arrive. Police took no action but a couple of the neighbours came out and thanked me for standing up to the little basket and his mother.

Best one was a mate of mine- 6 ft of muscle but it was not until he got off the bike that anyone that annoyed him found that out. He has chased a car for 3 miles to confront the yobs and he normally got them. If not he got the registration mark and if he saw them again- he got them then.

When I was a teen, I was riding home one day & I could hear a car coming up behind me, & slowing down. The passenger threw a beer bottle at me that just missed my head. We didn't wear helmets back then !! Too bad for them that I had a photographic memeory. One look at the license plate & I called in & reported them.

Did the police do anything other than file away your complaint?

When I was living in Panama City, Fla., in the early '90s I had a wire stripper (like a pair of pliers) thrown at me from a truck going 45 mph. It gouged the frame of my bike; it would have done some real damage had it hit me. I also got slapped on the backside once and carried a purple handprint for a couple of weeks.

Don't they make ball holders that go on golf carts? I wonder if you could mount one on a bike................

This is small enough to fit comfortably into a bento bag or jersey pocket:

http://www.frontiergunsandammo.com/c...s/rugerlcp.jpg

That is my brothers daily ride...to the point. He says it is windy most days.

Mostly hot women throwing bras and underware at me......

I hate when that happens.

Yes, but I don't remember their punishment. Small town cops back then were always looking for work.

I've noticed that this behavior only happens in groups of 2 or more. A single man will never throw anything, or smash a beer bottle on the ground, etc, but when in the presence of his peers, in an attempt to win the approval of his friends, he will let his inner cretin control his actions. It's quite pathetic when you realize how desperately he needs the acceptance of others.

I've casually observed "group think" such as this and it seems that men are compelled to throw objects and women are compelled to scream.

Out on the streets, miscreants in cars recognize bicycles as weak and helpless and they immediately identify them as a target.

Sorry for your experience.

It's called collective stupidity.

No one ever expects someone 6' 9" 250# to get off a bike. ;)

Great idea. I have to get me some. I thought it was reserved for dogs, but I guess you can use it on "animals" as well!

As I rolled up alongside the vehicle I did look in through the windows to insure that laughing mommy and kid were the only ones in the vehicle before I gave them a short squirt. It would have been bad form to do so if there were any younger children in the back.

Yeah I tend to agree... I too have had my share of objects tossed in my direction... and it really irritates me. Beers, cups of ice, partial sandwiches... So much for being "treated as a driver of a vehicle."

Have to say however everything that has ever been tossed in my direction happened "close to home." Never had any altercations when touring, either in the US or Mexico.

Good analysis. This could be a topic for a Harvard sociology class. Or something. Don't forget, pegging a cyclist or jogger with a beer can give the miscreant "bragging rights" at the local beer joint.