Abusive "Cyclist" On Morning Ride Rant
 

So, headed out early this morning for a nice, easy 30 miler. Still dark, nobody out. Post-apocalyptic traffic situation. Sitting at a red light with a lone car to my left, waiting for it to turn. Suddenly, to my right, a "cyclist" cruises past me doing maybe 13 mph. As he blows through the light with absolutely zero hesitation whatsoever, he says rather loudly to me the rather unfriendly and socially inappropriate word for a human backside that begins with a and ends with e. Now, there is absolutely no traffic, given the viral situation and early hour, but this light is at a very busy and dangerous intersection and it is one I would never, ever run under any circumstances. But it is a pretty long one.

So, I had a moment to consider the rather shocking experience I had just been subjected to on my happy, pleasant little morning ride. And as I did, I became more and more angry. I am constitutionally exceedingly patient. I am virtually never angry about anything. Just does not hardly ever happen. Like, ever. I tend to live in acceptance most of the time. I have to, given my health situation.

Not today. Today, I decided, you know what--no, you don't get to blow through a red light with no taillight and no helmet and call me an a*****e. Not occurring today.

I waited for the light to change. It took forever. Finally, it did. He was way, way out in front of me. Maybe going more like 15 mph, actually. I took off. He stayed on the same normally very busy street and continued blowing through red light after red light. I took a left and rode along the waterfront where there are no lights and no people, due to the apocalypse. Finally caught up to him and asked him why he felt it necessary to call me an a*****e while I was trying to have a nice, pleasant, law-abiding ride. He said nothing. I asked again. We were both heading for the same bridge, as it turned out. I let him go on, thinking it was over. Then, twenty yards ahead of me, he started berating me again. More name-calling.

Was just not having it this morning. Caught up again and told him he was the reason people despise cyclists so much. That he had violated the law about ten times in the seven remarkably unpleasant minutes I had known him. That he had no freaking right to be calling other riders names and ruining their rides. Etc., etc. He called me a psycho. I did not appreciate that very much. Then, I told him what I really thought. I think there was some colorful language employed.

I watched him blow through another insanely dangerous intersection and went on about my own ride. Took maybe another three miles to calm down. So unusual for me to let someone rile me up like this. Just never happens. But you know what, I just wasn't having it this morning. These punks give us all a bad name. It's no wonder non-cyclists sometimes have such a negative take on us as a group.

I decided I would enjoy the rest of my fifteen miles. I said good morning to every single cyclist and runner I encountered on the way back. Every one of them replied in a friendly and cheerful tone. All of them. Most folks around here are pretty pleasant most of the time, as it turns out.

I know not to engage with people like this guy. I do. But something was different this morning. This moron had no right to run around spewing venom on citizens. So, I told him what I thought. And you know what? It felt pretty darn good...

We all know exactly how you felt. Thank goodness your encounter did not escalate. But, I totally get it. I've had to concentrate on ridding my anger in as few miles as possible. It's actually a good challenge to calm myself, and save my ride.

It's not worth getting worked up over badly behaving motorists or cyclists. There are plenty of both and you'll just raise your stress levels if you get upset every time a motorist or cyclist does something dangerous or risky.

Couldn't agree more. And it never, ever happens. But it did this morning...

We can't control the actions or words of others but we can control our reactions to them.

Unfortunately, you encountered a truly miserable person. Fortunately, most cyclists are cool.


And it’s good you called them out. Some days you might let it go but this time you wanted to deal with it and it made you feel better that you did.

We've all experienced this. At my age, I've learned just to mutter an "eff you too" under my breath and not let it get to me. Can't say I'm perfect about following my own advice.

scott s.
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Don't let this guy pass his rage demons to you.

One thing I've realized is that, in spite of not feeling stressed on a conscious level, this whole pandemic situation actually does have me stressed. This has been borne out by my inability to concentrate on my work. Sounds like, for you, it may be manifesting in an extra short temper.

I have a theory that (thankfully) only a small percentage of cyclist over train a lot and get very cranky in doing so and when they "just" need to hold x amount of watts for just a little more or their life has no meaning . Unfortunatly we are just another "fred" that gets in these guys way on training to get in the top 100 KOM on the local 3% 1/4 mile climb......

Dueling pistols
 

There used to be consequences for impolite behavior. A loudmouth idiot would get a punch in the nose at least and might even face death. Today the idiot is free to run his mouth, and you will face financial ruin or prison for getting involved. We do not live in a civilized society. Remember this and keep your cool.

I would just let Darwinian selection take it's natural course, :)

There's also a good chance the offensive cyclist was mentally challenged in some way. Better to let these things slide than go around punching everyone in the nose.

Those guys always seem to have a guardian angel that protects them as they break every traffic law possible, while the cyclist that obeys all the rules of the road gets killed by a giant SUV making an illegal u-turn while the driver is checking his likes on Instagram.

I try my best to channel my inner Emily Post for all rides, sometimes I even succeed.

I would have pulled out my frame pump and did to him what the Italian pro racer did to Dave in Breaking Away.

Lol, well, that would have been a bit extreme...


I remember seeing that movie on TV in the 80s and it became a major favorite. So great. I used to actually get excited when I’d see it was on.

Touche. But apparently, not 100% of the time...

You may have a point.

Yes, certainly possible. I happen to be one of those mentally challenged individuals, myself. Manic people frequently do things like this when they become agitated. Totally possible--though I do kind of doubt it, based on the entire encounter. Thanks for pointing this out, though.

Classic sociopathic behaviors on his part. Being on a bike does make one civil. Don't take the bait and engage the Adam Henry's of the world. It could end badly for you. He did not care about the traffic laws and would have no issue assaulting you.

I think Marcus Aurelius said something similar:thumb:

Screw him! It's good that you called him out but it probably won't sink in. But it might.

I had a guy in a red pickup truck "roll coal" on me three days ago. That is, he slowed down to pass me and then stomped on it or whatever he did to cause almost impenatrably black clouds of smoke to envelope me. Obviously a diesel truck that's been modified to pump way more fuel than it could burn. I'd seen Youtube videos where someone did this to someone, and was kind of shocked that some dickhead did it to me. I fantasized about tracking down that truck, putting on my ninja suit, and slashing his tires in the middle of the night. I wouldn't do it, of course, but one just can't help at least thinking it. It's hard to believe such people actually exist, sharing our air. We call these people "oxygen thieves."

Around here, when you meet someone who's off his meds, there's a small but not insignificant chance he's packing a gun.

I am a prosecutor and I couldn’t agree with you more.

Having seen what I have seen over the years, I would let this crazy guy go and let nature take her course.