substructure

I had only a half hour to ride last night. So I suit up gather my things, kiss my lovely wife, and head out the door. Once I get on the main road, I crank it up to 500 watts and take off . Seriously, though, I was probably going between 20-25mph on this flat and notice an old, white Bronco with a couple of crooked-capped teens easing up to a stop sign ahead on the right. Apparently, he wanted to slide in front of an oncoming car coming the opposite way I was heading because he barely slowed. I let up (dialing my wattage down to 250 or so) and notice this brat has no clue I’m coming. Without a glance he jerks his bronco across my lane and begins to squall his tires. He only then notices me, after I slam on my brakes and skid within inches of his truck. He gives and awkward glance, stops, and then proceeded to squall his tires again to pull in front of the car and out of my way. Fortunately, I maintained my balance and didn’t have to unclip. This was the fourth time in two days that I almost got run over.

1. Redneck in big, red Ford tries to run me down 10 yards from stop sign.
2. Old man in beat up car turns left in front of me from opposite direction.
3. Crazy "meth-hazed" teens pull in front of me to beat traffic.
4. Spaced-out, unknown lady backs into my lane within feet of me. (I actually had to come to a complete stop because once she looked in her rear view, she didn't know what to do next. Like "GO!")

furiousferret

Welcome to cycling, we live by near misses and dirty looks.

Starclimber

The price of road cycling is eternal vigilance.

snugent

this past summer, i was riding on the north shore of long island, coming down a hill, not too huge, but enough to get going pretty quick. the road had a very, very small shoulder, so at this point in the ride (it's only about a 3/4 of a mile), i tend to ride in the lane of traffic to avoid sand/debris on the side of the road. as soon as the hill lets up and goes back to flat, i get as far to the right as i can. well, one day, this old guy in a huuge lincoln decides that me going 40 in a 30 is too slow, and he just lays on the horn. this scares the bejesus out of me since i didn't even know he was behind me, so this alone almost makes me fall. as soon as the road flattens out, he pulls up along side of me and tells me i should be on the other side of the road. i told him that he was a crazy old man (along with a few other choice words), and i continue on. he pulls away, i foolishly flip him off. at this point, he gets on his brakes and swerves at me. i actually had to put my hand on his rear quarter panel to stay up. the part that pretty much pissed me off the most was that he had a young child in the car with him (7 years old maybe). it pretty much sucked ass. the rest of the ride was nice though, so i didn't let it bother me too much.

oilfreeandhappy

Well you seem to have been abused by both genders and every age group. Good diversity!

onRoffR

Man its getting much worse out there now adays. I made the mistake of riding yesterday during rush hour and had four near misses in 2 hours. Between more traffic on the road and people on cell phones and the like you've got to be super defensive. People don't seem to react to cyclists even after they realize their about to cut you off, all you get is a dirty look.

Cabrales

I try not to think about it. My non-riding friends often say things like "Isn't it very dangerous". I tell them I try not to think about it, because if you start thinking that way, you might as well put the bike away. However, now that there is a cell phone on every ear I'm starting to get nervous. Cell phones = The greatest threat to cyclists since... (fill in the blank)