Fun this morning...

[Chris71]

Was about to filter past some slow traffic on a clear section of road, when the guy in front pulled across, apparently for no reason other than to stop me doing some. I like to think I have a degree of maturity when it comes to things like that, so I just bit my lip and sat behind the guy. Shortly afterwards the traffic cleared and we set off and then, all of a sudden, he brake-tested me! Fortunately I have a reasonably meaty pair of hydraulic discs on my hybrid so I stopped nearly as quickly as he did and didn't end up splatted all over the back of what was already a very ugly Fiat Multipla.

I know this is nothing new, but it really puzzles me why people behave like this. I hadn't done anything to atagonise him (or anyone else for that matter) so it seemed a bit random. Did think about having words, but unfortunately I'm still not as fast as an ageing MPV on a straight empty road.

[Parrot of Doom]

Anyone in a line of slow traffic who did that to me would find a nice meaty bootprint in their door.

[okgo]

Kick his mirror off.

[anonymous-user]

A wker is a wker is a wker. I agree with a boot shaped dent in the car.

[Bolebroke]

Wait for him to be alongside / pulling away...unclog your nsotrils / throat down his paintwork or ideally some bit of glasswork..Revolting and soooooooooo satisfying....

[okgo]

Bolebroke said:

Wait for him to be alongside / pulling away...unclog your nsotrils / throat down his paintwork or ideally some bit of glasswork..Revolting and soooooooooo satisfying....

[Cupramax]

Chris71 said:

Shortly afterwards the traffic cleared and we set off and then, all of a sudden, he brake-tested me! Fortunately I have a reasonably meaty pair of hydraulic discs on my hybrid so I stopped nearly as quickly as he did and didn't end up splatted all over the back of what was already a very ugly Fiat Multipla.

I know this is nothing new, but it really puzzles me why people behave like this. I hadn't done anything to atagonise him (or anyone else for that matter) so it seemed a bit random.

Were you sat two inches away from his rear window? As a cyclist I never do this as I find it highly irritating/unnerving while driving... You wouldn't sit that close in a car so why do it on a bicycle, moped also do this.

[rocksteadyeddie]

EP2Nick said:

okgo said:

Kick his mirror off.

+1

+2

[walm]

rocksteadyeddie said:

EP2Nick said:

okgo said:

Kick his mirror off.

+1

+2

I am still shocked that people genuinely claim to recommend this course of action.

Would you really do it?

You are suggesting that criminal damage is an appropriate response to some fairly standard muppet driving?

Obviously, I feel like ripping off a mirror or putting a nice dent in a car that has nearly killed me, but would I ever do it? No way.
1. I am a wimp.
2. It's wrong.
3. He has a tonne of metal with which to get his revenge.
4. It propagates the accepted view that all cyclists are lycra-clad lentilist road warriors who hate cars.
5. 1 again.

I wish we could all take the OP's view "I like to think I have a degree of maturity when it comes to things like that, so I just bit my lip."

[okgo]

walm said:

rocksteadyeddie said:

EP2Nick said:

okgo said:

Kick his mirror off.

+1

+2

I am still shocked that people genuinely claim to recommend this course of action.

Would you really do it?

You are suggesting that criminal damage is an appropriate response to some fairly standard muppet driving?

Obviously, I feel like ripping off a mirror or putting a nice dent in a car that has nearly killed me, but would I ever do it? No way.
1. I am a wimp.
2. It's wrong.
3. He has a tonne of metal with which to get his revenge.
4. It propagates the accepted view that all cyclists are lycra-clad lentilist road warriors who hate cars.
5. 1 again.

I wish we could all take the OP's view "I like to think I have a degree of maturity when it comes to things like that, so I just bit my lip."

If someone was putting my well being in danger for the sake of being a dick. I would give his car a clout. Or him if it came to it. Depends on circumstance, but I would do it if it came to it.

[Parrot of Doom]

Unfortunately lots of cars will not allow you to remove the keys without the parking brake on, or the car in park.

[okgo]

EP2Nick said:

Parrot of Doom said:

Unfortunately lots of cars will not allow you to remove the keys without the parking brake on, or the car in park.

What cars do you know of??

Sorry but every car I have driven you've been able to turn the key and remove from ignition with the handbrake off...

If my car is in anything other than park they key won't come out.

[walm]

Lots of cars also have aircon.
And it is nearly winter.

[SJobson]

EP2Nick said:

Parrot of Doom said:

Unfortunately lots of cars will not allow you to remove the keys without the parking brake on, or the car in park.

What cars do you know of??

Anything automatic from the last decade, anything made by Saab except the 9000... Isn't this supposed to be a car forum?

[Chris71]

Cupramax said:

Chris71 said:

Shortly afterwards the traffic cleared and we set off and then, all of a sudden, he brake-tested me! Fortunately I have a reasonably meaty pair of hydraulic discs on my hybrid so I stopped nearly as quickly as he did and didn't end up splatted all over the back of what was already a very ugly Fiat Multipla.

I know this is nothing new, but it really puzzles me why people behave like this. I hadn't done anything to atagonise him (or anyone else for that matter) so it seemed a bit random.

Were you sat two inches away from his rear window? As a cyclist I never do this as I find it highly irritating/unnerving while driving... You wouldn't sit that close in a car so why do it on a bicycle, moped also do this.

Would that legitimise his actions?

I was further back than most people would normally follow in a car, but with hindseight I'll be giving people an even wider berth in future. I think I'm reasonably capable to standing my ground, but as mentioned above you'll never win in a fight with one and a half tons of metal. I just think it's unfortunate thant people drive with that attitude - I wasn't trying to win in a fight with anyone, I was just riding to work.

And now I'm about to ride back. Wish me luck...

[fergus]

Chris

I've almost had two proper fights with drivers for almost knocking me off at fairly high speed due to not giving me sufficient room .... until I invite them out of their car and I get off my bike, then they quickly shut up, mouth off and get back in and drive off! Most people, unless they're meatheads tend to realise when they're in the wrong and will back down.

[Cupramax]

Chris71 said:

Would that legitimise his actions?

I was further back than most people would normally follow in a car, but with hindseight I'll be giving people an even wider berth in future. I think I'm reasonably capable to standing my ground, but as mentioned above you'll never win in a fight with one and a half tons of metal. I just think it's unfortunate thant people drive with that attitude - I wasn't trying to win in a fight with anyone, I was just riding to work.

And now I'm about to ride back. Wish me luck...

Not at all, just asking the question. Since getting back into cycling recently I'm a lot more aware of bikes but also not too surprised at some of the stupid things riders do.

[Chris71]

Had to laugh this morning. Because I'd had a crap night's sleep and it was my first wet (well damp) ride in I was keeping my nose very clean - made sure I was extra cautious. As part of my butter-wouldn't-melt routine I stopped to let an old lady complete a U-turn (if nothing else I feared she'd fail to see me if I didn't) and a guy in a Merc edged past me and nearly took the nose off the old dear's Corsa.

Don't you just love London? I'm just glad I live (and ride/drive) on the periphery.

[hondafanatic]

Chris71 said:

Had to laugh this morning. Because I'd had a crap night's sleep and it was my first wet (well damp) ride in I was keeping my nose very clean - made sure I was extra cautious. As part of my butter-wouldn't-melt routine I stopped to let an old lady complete a U-turn (if nothing else I feared she'd fail to see me if I didn't) and a guy in a Merc edged past me and nearly took the nose off the old dear's Corsa.

Don't you just love London? I'm just glad I live (and ride/drive) on the periphery.

That's nice that you had the option to let the person complete the U-turn.

This morning I wasn't given the choice, I just had to slam on the anchors and pray. I stopped in time with my heart in my mouth.

It's not the first time or the last time -however, this was most note worthy because of the passengers reaction. I learnt a long time ago not to start giving the 'coffee beans' shake or shout abuse, after all, people make genuine mistakes, I can live with that.

So I just stared blankly at the driver - the car behind the u-turner then blasted their horn and called her a 'bloody idiot, you could have killed him (pointing to me)'.

I remain still, not rising, not reacting - the passenger then flips out, venting his spleen in my direction about 'fking cyclists, running red lights, undertaking (most ironic part of his venting), riding on pavements etc etc'.

I just laughed... I do this because it tends to wind up people more than shouting abuse back - boy did it work - out he gets and squares up to me - I'll be honest, I was kinda stting myself at this point, I'm still on the bike, one foot clipped in.

The driver who pipped his horn behind me then gets out - thankfully, he was a largish chap who suggested that the passenger got back in their car as the driver was totally at fault and he would be happy to explain this in court when said passenger is up on an assault charge.

Said passenger got back into their car.

I thanked the pipping driver and he apologised for starting that one on account of his reaction to the whole thing and was amazed that I hadn't reacted in any manner to the event.

All in all, t'was very very strange.

I just wish people would say 'sorry' when they get it wrong.

[walm]

^^^^^Good work on rising above it all.

I find the "ignore the idiots trying to kill me" tactic very hard to do without the odd coffee-beans or middle finger.
BUT the one upside to the sheer frequency of the moronic riding/driving is that the level of stupidity required to rile me increases every day.

This has certainly translated into more peace & tranquility in the car.
For example, MLMs used to drive me into an absolute rage. Now however, I am simply thankful for any road user that doesn't ACTIVELY endanger me.