Is it unusual that I seem to have far fewer negative interactions with motorists (especially those driving pick up trucks and El Caminos) when I'm wearing my USA flag jersey? Not just during the Olympics, either - all the time.

No surprise, you gotta pick what you wear where, I have a ARROGANT BASTARD ALE jersey that I really dig, I DO NOT wear that one when I am riding alone out in the boonies.

Then I guess my pink Dolce & Gabbana jersey is definitely out of the question.

My Gadsden Flag jersey definitely gets the most compliments, and I haven't been run over while wearing it, so...

I get the best reaction from my Primal Wear Pink Floyd jersey.

Where'd you get the Gadsden? I'd like one of those.

WVU cycling team jersey when I ride in WV.

Florida State jersey riding around Tallahassee.

We did get harrassed in Italy, wearing a Williamsburg Cycling Club jersey that incorporated an American Flag.

Oh, I could just imagine the reaction of the drivers where I cycle if I wore a USA flag jersey.

Scheels, in Iowa City. I've also seen them at the Scheels in Springfield, IL.

I've made the same observation to friends, but none of them have stocked up on USA jerseys! I have about 9 jerseys and 3 bibshorts that are USA/patriotic themed. People have never bothered me when I'm wearing that stuff...

This jersey gets a lot of compliments.

"...and El Caminos..."?
Where are your "in the foothills" ?
I don't see many except at car "show" (gatherings of gearheads into old cars).
I am pretty sure I have never seen one riding in 12K miles of riding.

I used to be a gearhead. Does it show?

On the Top Gear TV show, the 3 hosts bought and drove cheap beaters through the US southeast - Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, etc. Each host "decorated" another host's car in a manner designed to draw attention. "NASCAR Sucks" covered the side of one car when they were done. Other messages were more offensive. [I found it funny, but not everyone shares my sense of humor.] They actually had to flee from a gas stop.
Hmm, this last paragraph is certainly off point. Delete? Nah, this is the 41 where drivel happens.

I have a USA flag jersey and noticed the same effect. I also have a Cadillac jersey that seemingly gets the same results.

Voler has a bunch of U.S. and State Flag themed jerseys. Scroll to the bottom of that page and you'll find the Gadsden flag jersey. I ride with the CA Bear Flag kit. Here in the land of mellow, I've not encountered issues on the road. We're in rural flat farm country and almost everyone (not 100%) gives us the road, flag jerseys or not.

That's a good point. I think the OP's "El Camino" reference is at least 20 years past any relevance. Out here in California, where old cars didn't completely rust away, I see them pretty regularly - but only "car guys" drive them now.

Try wearing a "3 feet Please" jersey.

I get buzzed about 20x as much, it's like I am wearing a sign that says "Abuse me to amuse yourself"

Drivers need to be able to identify with the rider and "American" theme jerseys allow identification with a certain type of driver. Wearing anything that reminds them that you're different isn't great. On the other hand, it's very, very unpatriotic to be anti-American, at least in the US (heh), and the most right wing person will give you a bit of a break because you're flying the US colors or are wearing a military kit (US Army etc) or wearing a US identifiable brand (Cadillac, #3, NASCAR, etc).

My friend wears a US Marine jersey and it gets him compliments from the type that normally buzz a cyclist.

Beyond that, I also notice I get less crap, especially from teenagers and hood rats when I wear things with no branding than team kits.

I get mixed results when I wear my "Come on over here and kiss my big 'ol creamy white butt" jersey.

Two or three years ago, when I started wearing a reflector vest at night, I noticed I got some extra clearance from motorists. I think that was because the only ones wearing reflector vests around here are normally policemen.

Off the bike, I get the most positive comments from non-cyclists for my Cat-in-the-Hat and Sam-I-Am jerseys, but haven't noted any distinction in driver behavior. I sort of assumed that, at speed, they didn't have much time to tell what you were wearing anyway.

You'll be surprised at brand power - even a smidgen of a logo will trigger recognition (like Cadillac, which is pretty distinctive, or Chevy, or the #3, etc).

I used to ride somewhat regularly at night. I used Down Low Glow lights which resemble the undercarriage lights that car mod kids use/d. I got a lot of compliments from mainly kids etc. The key is having something the others can identify with, rather than being different from them.



From my post here:
https://sprinterdellacasa.blogspot.co...ight-ride.html

On a strange side note...I was riding yesterday when a passenger in a van leaned out of the window and started doing the "U - S - A" chant. I was wearing a plain blue jersey.

Jersey for wearing in the deep South of the US: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Lynyrd-Skyny...-/130525720593

Republic of Anaerobia

When I wear mine I get plenty of respect from other Anaerobians. Especially when I'm puking at the side of the road.