Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Road Cycling
Reload this Page >

night time harassment

Search
Notices
Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

night time harassment

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 09-12-11 | 10:36 PM
  #1  
panamapete's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
From: modesto, ca

Bikes: 2011 specialized Allez Tripple

night time harassment

to the two separate gentleman this evening that felt compelled to "yell things" at me while i rode my bike home. 1. not only is my car nicer than yours, its actually nicer than both of them put together. 2. it must really take some testicular fortitude to harass a guy on his bike. 3. since im being honest here, my bike is nicer than your car too lol

so i was riding my bike home tonight, a got a little crap about it (actually the first, and two incidents on one ride)

i know theres threads on this but i dont think any of it covered riding at night...

would any of you take it a bit more serious since its in the evening?... (i did only get verbal)

and do any of you ever say anything back?
panamapete is offline  
Reply
Old 09-12-11 | 10:48 PM
  #2  
socalrider's Avatar
Senior Member
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,049
Likes: 11
From: La Verne CA

Bikes: Litespeed Liege, Motorola Team Issue Eddy Mercxk, Santana Noventa Tandem, Fisher Supercaliber Mtn. Bike

Has nothing to do with riding at night, jerks will be jerks 24/7.. I have actually had the opposite during night rides, just a lot fewer cars on the road to harass you. It doesn't pay to say anything back, you will just be giving them what they want. Politely wave and say have a nice day and you will be the better for it. Last time I checked 3000-4000lb car always wins against a 22lb bike.
socalrider is offline  
Reply
Old 09-12-11 | 10:50 PM
  #3  
Chickenstrip's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
It doesn't matter how nice your bike is, the car always wins! When I ride (Bike, motorcycle, or car) my primary objective is to return home safely! It doesn't matter who's right, especially when those of lesser intellect and heavier vehicle are involved!
Chickenstrip is offline  
Reply
Old 09-12-11 | 10:55 PM
  #4  
panamapete's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
From: modesto, ca

Bikes: 2011 specialized Allez Tripple

ya it must have just been my testosterone, i was coming home from boxing class haha, what kind of surprised was that both of them were at stop lights when the said something and all i thought about was i could easily turn around be right next to them and have a few words..... but that wouldnt prove anything... bla bla bla... ugh, cant wait to get old and slow down haha
panamapete is offline  
Reply
Old 09-13-11 | 01:58 AM
  #5  
abstractform20's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,884
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by socalrider
Has nothing to do with riding at night, jerks will be jerks 24/7.. I have actually had the opposite during night rides, just a lot fewer cars on the road to harass you. It doesn't pay to say anything back, you will just be giving them what they want. Politely wave and say have a nice day and you will be the better for it. Last time I checked 3000-4000lb car always wins against a 22lb bike.
22lb bike????

a sub 13lb bike will win because the carbon can turn into a fight jet.

but seriously, a 22lb bike???
abstractform20 is offline  
Reply
Old 09-13-11 | 02:01 AM
  #6  
abstractform20's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,884
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by panamapete
ya it must have just been my testosterone, i was coming home from boxing class haha, what kind of surprised was that both of them were at stop lights when the said something and all i thought about was i could easily turn around be right next to them and have a few words..... but that wouldnt prove anything... bla bla bla... ugh, cant wait to get old and slow down haha
i was riding downtown once, and a bunch of people in a mustang started yelling at me (couldnt understand, but it was obviously not polite things). i caught up to them at the stoplight and stared at them. then they yelled again when the light turned green...i caught up with the again at the next stoplight. i stared again, and they nothing. then the light turned green and i gave chase to them...but i realized what is the point of this and what exactly am i going to do?

moral of the story: carbon asplodes and is considered a deadly weapon. dont fight using your carbon bike in the sun.
abstractform20 is offline  
Reply
Old 09-13-11 | 02:18 AM
  #7  
botto's Avatar
.
Titanium Club Membership
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 40,377
Likes: 50
Originally Posted by panamapete
to the two separate gentleman this evening that felt compelled to "yell things" at me while i rode my bike home. 1. not only is my car nicer than yours, its actually nicer than both of them put together. 2. it must really take some testicular fortitude to harass a guy on his bike. 3. since im being honest here, my bike is nicer than your car too lol

so i was riding my bike home tonight, a got a little crap about it (actually the first, and two incidents on one ride)

i know theres threads on this but i dont think any of it covered riding at night...

would any of you take it a bit more serious since its in the evening?... (i did only get verbal)

and do any of you ever say anything back?
whiney rants, addressed to people who will never read them, are boring.
botto is offline  
Reply
Old 09-13-11 | 02:45 AM
  #8  
Senior Member
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 16,767
Likes: 85
They saw you. That's what counts.
Rowan is offline  
Reply
Old 09-13-11 | 02:45 AM
  #9  
todayilearned's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 462
Likes: 0
I was taking a jog at night once and a bunch of college students threw a glass bottle at me...

How they knew I was thirsty... I'll never know...
todayilearned is offline  
Reply
Old 09-13-11 | 03:00 AM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,204
Likes: 1

Bikes: Colnago C59 Italia Di2

get the brightest and biggest set of lights you can - i dont know why but i find riding with a few thousand lumens attracts less attention and more road space. I guiess the perception is that im bigger and more powerful/tougher than i actually am - who knows
lazerzxr is offline  
Reply
Old 09-13-11 | 03:18 AM
  #11  
Machka's Avatar
In Real Life
Titanium Club Membership
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 52,159
Likes: 773
From: Down under down under

Bikes: Lots

Originally Posted by panamapete
i know theres threads on this but i dont think any of it covered riding at night...

would any of you take it a bit more serious since its in the evening?... (i did only get verbal)

and do any of you ever say anything back?
Can you see my signature line? Can you see the little smilie there? Watch what the smilie does ......

Yep, it smiles and waves.

These things happen. You were just yelled at. So what. Like Rowan says, at least they saw you.

No, I would not take it any more seriously in the evening than I would at any other time of day. And no, I would not say anything back. At most, I might smile and wave.
Machka is offline  
Reply
Old 09-13-11 | 03:22 AM
  #12  
znomit's Avatar
Zoom zoom zoom zoom bonk
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,922
Likes: 979
From: New Zealand

Bikes: Giant Defy, Trek 1.7c, BMC GF02, Trek Marlin 6, Scott Sub 35, Kona Rove, Trek Verve+2

It happens. Smile and wave.

When it happens twice and its the same car call the cops.
znomit is offline  
Reply
Old 09-13-11 | 04:01 AM
  #13  
surgeonstone's Avatar
Senior Member
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,222
Likes: 30
From: South Bend IN

Bikes: 1976 FRESCHI, 2004 Crumpton.

Originally Posted by Machka
Can you see my signature line? Can you see the little smilie there? Watch what the smilie does ......

Yep, it smiles and waves.

These things happen. You were just yelled at. So what. Like Rowan says, at least they saw you.

No, I would not take it any more seriously in the evening than I would at any other time of day. And no, I would not say anything back. At most, I might smile and wave.
^^^^This. always, all the time, in every situation. Never, does a testosterone laced response win when dealing with drivers.
surgeonstone is offline  
Reply
Old 09-13-11 | 05:11 AM
  #14  
thump55's Avatar
I got 99 problems....
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,087
Likes: 3
From: Does anyone know where the love of God goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?
Originally Posted by surgeonstone
^^^^This. always, all the time, in every situation. Never, does a testosterone laced response win when dealing with drivers.
I say flip 'em off and let the chips fall where they may. If the brake lights come on, give 'em the bird with the other hand too.

No one's gonna **** with a guy who can ride no-handed.
thump55 is offline  
Reply
Old 09-13-11 | 05:20 AM
  #15  
halfspeed's Avatar
Senior Member
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,275
Likes: 6
From: SE Minnesota

Bikes: are better than yours.

Originally Posted by botto
whiney rants, addressed to people who will never read them, are boring.
Awww, you missed us!
__________________
Telemachus has, indeed, sneezed.
halfspeed is offline  
Reply
Old 09-13-11 | 06:07 AM
  #16  
K&K_Dad's Avatar
Schleckaholic
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,230
Likes: 1
From: Carteret Co., NC, USA

Bikes: '08 Trek 1.2, Schwinn Avenue Hybrid, '11 GT Sport

Originally Posted by botto
whiney rants, addressed to people who will never read them, are boring.
he's probably hoping someone will relay the message.

OP. just get used to it. If it bothers you that much you need to learn to use your ignore feature. It can be found by looking in the opposite direction of the offensive user.
K&K_Dad is offline  
Reply
Old 09-13-11 | 06:44 AM
  #17  
IcySmooth52's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,620
Likes: 0
From: Portland, ME
If it happens in stop-and-go traffic with at least two 4-way lights ahead and they're not in the right lane; clipless cleats leave good scratches on people who say such in cars.
IcySmooth52 is offline  
Reply
Old 09-13-11 | 07:12 AM
  #18  
RichardGlover's Avatar
2nd Amendment Cyclist
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 1
From: Cary, NC

Bikes: Schwinn 2010 World Street, Handsome Speedy w/ SRAM Apex

Originally Posted by Rowan
They saw you. That's what counts.
+1
RichardGlover is offline  
Reply
Old 09-13-11 | 07:19 AM
  #19  
Doohickie's Avatar
You gonna eat that?
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,917
Likes: 543
From: Fort Worth, Texas Church of Hopeful Uncertainty

Bikes: 1966 Raleigh DL-1 Tourist, 1973 Schwinn Varsity, 1983 Raleigh Marathon, 1994 Nishiki Sport XRS

Originally Posted by znomit
Smile and wave.
Repeated for emphasis.
__________________
I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.


Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
Doohickie is offline  
Reply
Old 09-13-11 | 07:30 AM
  #20  
Nachoman's Avatar
well hello there
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,491
Likes: 390
From: Point Loma, CA

Bikes: Bill Holland (Road-Ti), Fuji Roubaix Pro (back-up), Bike Friday (folder), Co-Motion (tandem) & Trek 750 (hybrid)

Originally Posted by panamapete
to the two separate gentleman this evening that felt compelled to "yell things" at me while i rode my bike home. 1. not only is my car nicer than yours, its actually nicer than both of them put together. 2. it must really take some testicular fortitude to harass a guy on his bike. 3. since im being honest here, my bike is nicer than your car too lol

so i was riding my bike home tonight, a got a little crap about it (actually the first, and two incidents on one ride)

i know theres threads on this but i dont think any of it covered riding at night...

would any of you take it a bit more serious since its in the evening?... (i did only get verbal)

and do any of you ever say anything back?
So what happened?
__________________
.
.

Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
Nachoman is offline  
Reply
Old 09-13-11 | 07:38 AM
  #21  
IcySmooth52's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,620
Likes: 0
From: Portland, ME
Sometimes I pretend or (or actually do) write down their licence plate number or take a picture of it with my cellphone. That really bugs those types of drivers here. I think because it's a bike-friendly town I'm in.
IcySmooth52 is offline  
Reply
Old 09-13-11 | 07:46 AM
  #22  
panamapete's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
From: modesto, ca

Bikes: 2011 specialized Allez Tripple

Originally Posted by botto
whiney rants, addressed to people who will never read them, are boring.
actually i was just trying to make a bit of a joke, didnt mean to come of "whiney"
nothing really happen the second guy did look back and hang out of his window a bit at (he was opposite of me) and kept staring as if he was trying to stare me down more than anything i think this is what evoked an aggressive reaction from me. if it was just words whatever.... but he made it seem like "something" might happen what i cant say but i just felt like he wanted to escalate things.....

+1 for noticing me you guys are right about that. during the day i dont think i would take things as serious, but at night and not that i live in a bad area specifically, but my town doesnt have the best of reps anyways a lot of stupid here.
panamapete is offline  
Reply
Old 09-13-11 | 07:56 AM
  #23  
panamapete's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
From: modesto, ca

Bikes: 2011 specialized Allez Tripple

and more than anything i appreciate your guys views on this, but as i just said about for me being dark makes things a bit different. but thats just me
panamapete is offline  
Reply
Old 09-13-11 | 08:03 AM
  #24  
eippo1's Avatar
I like beans
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,336
Likes: 1
From: Meffa, MA

Bikes: Tarmac Pro, Bianchi Zurigo, Raleigh Gran Sport, Fuji Del Rey, Ironman Centurion

All of my bibs have a retractable rear panel. A push of a button rolls down the back for a full moon.
eippo1 is offline  
Reply
Old 09-13-11 | 08:19 AM
  #25  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
No response or smile is my suggestion.

Some posters with their response seem to be making the assumption that the occupants of the car were not whacked out on drugs, and not going to pull a pistol, ball bat, tire irons, shotgun - and put you in the hospital seriously or kill you, or attempt to do so.

And/or otherwise making an assumption that these are rational individuals and not total scum of the earth.

That could be a fatal assumption.
Triode is offline  
Reply


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.