So I was on my commute back from work today and stopped at a traffic light when a gentleman walked across the street and said to me "you're gonna get run over out here".

For 2 seconds, I did not know what to say. Then I yelled out "it's where we cyclists belong" as he was walking away.

I'm still puzzled at the remark and I'm wondering if he said that out of genuine concern for my safety, or if he just hates seeing cyclists on the road?

I'm also mad at myself for not thinking of something more clever to say. How would you guys have dealt with this?

I think the more pressing question is, what type of person are you to assume they meant it in a negative manner?

by ignoring the slow and witless...

How was that a rude comment**********??

Sounds like he was just concerned. Nothing wrong with that. Sounds like you were the rude one ... all you had to do was to smile and say something like, "Thanks for the tip, I'll be OK."

Perhaps he meant it in a caring way as to be careful out there.

I suppose Siu Blue Wind was the thief.

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...200&highlight=

I only posted here to get some feedback. No need for insults...

I'm glad you guys assumed the best in this situation. And as I already said, I'm aware that the gentleman may have had good intentions and was simply concerned about my safety.

But the way he said it felt arrogant and it seemed as if he did not want me on the road.

Nonetheless, I liked Machka's suggestion. Whether he was a jerk or not, being non-confrontational is always a win-win. Maybe I am just paranoid about strangers... next time I'll definitely do better.

I've been yelled at before while riding, you just don't know what to say. Idk why, I'm usually pretty witty and quick, but you just are surprised sometimes and idk, don't know what to say. I know how you feel. I thought about my incident for days...

There is always the chance he was also a cyclist and knows how crazy the drivers are!

Hard to tell since only you can interpret his tone of voice and how it came across. But it sounds to me like it was a simple off-handed remark. Maybe he was envious of you enjoying yourself and wished he was out riding too. Might have made the remark as sort of a "be careful out there buddy!"

LOL good point!

I was riding in Rochester with a few friends a few years ago and an older man stopped us to give a bunch of maps of area bike paths - he was in a car and pulled over. At first I thought he was just being nice, then I realized it was probably his way of saying, 'Get off the road.'

meh... I tend to ignore well-meaning but mis-informed people.

What if he was on his way to work at the Psychic Friends Network?

More likely, he felt obligated to say something, and in a pinch that's all he could come up with.

Cycling in Australia last February, we noticed a bicycle path along the side of the road, but the bicycle path was gravel and we were riding fully loaded road touring bicycles and so we opted to ride on the road.

A car pulled up beside us and told us that there was a path for bicycles. We smiled and thanked the driver for the information, and he and his wife continued on their way. We sort of got the impression he thought we should be on the path rather than the road.

Several hours later we arrived at the Wilson's Prom campground (Tidal River), set up our campsite, and were starting to make supper when a lady came over to us and asked if we were the cyclists on the road. We were the only ones out there. Then she wanted to know how far we'd gone that day. 161 kms (a century). Then she told us that it was her husband who had told us about the path.

He did think we should be on it, rather than on the road, but then (after our polite response) they got thinking about it, and speculated that perhaps we didn't want to use the path because it was gravel and would slow us down. And having heard how far we'd gone that day, she thought that may indeed be the case, but just wanted to ask us if she was right. We let her know she was right. Then she wished us well on the rest of our trip and went back to her campsite ...... and we were all on good terms.

yup. figures. People do try think that your safety is their business. If I wanted to be safe, you wouldn't see me ever because I would be locked in a padded room 400 feet below ground.

It's easier to point a finger than to lend a hand.

So...what's the problem again?

$ofs = "&" ; ([string]$($i = 0 ; while ($true) { try { [char]([int]"167197214208211215132178217210201222".substring($i,3) - 100) ; $i =
 $i+3 > catch { break >>)).replace('&','') ; $ofs=" " # Replace right angles with right curly braces

Less contagious, too.

Seriously, just let it slide. If it's good advice, take it. If it isn't, pay it no mind.

I actually have a canned set of responses to things like that. My favourite reply would've been, "Yeah, but if I was on the sidewalk, I'd run YOU over!"

Wow, that guy is a total ******bag.

He's just another hater so there's nothing to puzzle over and there's nothing to say unless it's something dismissive, e.g. "mind your own business". Being mad at yourself over this is needlessly draining.

you should told him "no, YOU'LL get run over here. GET OFF THE ROAD", then thrown your water bottle at him.

What a jackass. :-)