Flash

Yesterday while finishing a hill repeat session -- on the fifth rep up a 10% grade -- I was startled by a loud horn. The passing car worked slowly around me, decelerated, put on the hazards, and the female driver looked back and smiled while waving me forward, as if to say "only 50 meters to go!"

My family members think I'm out of my mind when I pass a cyclist on the road and I yell -- usually not loud enough for the cyclist to hear -- "do it! do it! hit that f$&%*&* hill hard!" among other things.

How do you react to cyclists when you're in a car and you come upon them on the road?

banerjek

They are right.

I treat cyclists the way most motorists treat me. I ignore them.

cshell

I try to pass them without hitting them. That's pretty much the extent of my thinking.

kindablue

I usually steal a glance at their bike, a longer one if its nice.

trey.a

I generally try to run other cyclists off the road. Less competition.

notwist

i probably wouldnt yell at cyclists whilst in my car. They'd probably misunderstand me and think i was yelling at them to GTFO the road.

sqharaway

This one. And there was that one time I passed a Cervelo S2 Red with 202s--naturally I ran over the dude and took the bike...

knobster

I blew my horn at one yesterday afternoon.. Two abreast on a busy road in the bike lane. No problem so far. Then the dude swerved out into the lane. If I wasn't watching him, I would have hit him. I hit my brakes because if I would have swerved I would have had a head on collision. I was pissed and I let him know it.

boniek1982

I size them up and wonder if I could take them. This usually leads to a "probably not" conclusion and then I wonder if they are juicing

ptle

I usually just give them a ton of space, maybe give them a head nod or something if I have bikes on my car rack. I won't honk my horn or say something. I feel like people have done that to me, not meaning to be rude, and it just comes off as rude. You usually can't understand anything people yell from cars unless they slow down. Also a horn can sometimes make riders jump, even if it's meant to be a nice honk.

Oh and I usually check out their bike.

Farby

X2. I have to look to see if their gear is more blingtastic than my gear.

mathwheels

my wife laughs at me cause I always look to see what they are riding. it is tough when you see them going in other direction.

JaceK

Oh... so that was you!

Seagull01

I just safely pass then keep going.

Then I think to myself "I need to ride more".

Then I remember I am going to work. I am at work now. On my iPhone because the boss took away the Internet. Too many people were goofing off it seems.

Don't rat me out

jfw1956

I take a quick look at their bike. If it's handcrafted, I give a big smile and a thumbs up.

nixternal

10 points for a cyclist, how do you think I react?

roadiejorge 

To avoid any potential misunderstanding I just pass by giving them ample room and my preferred sign of encouragement is a thumbs up if they happen to glance as I pass. I've had people honk and wave but that can go wrong since it can be confused with them telling you you're in their way so when they pull up you might not have the best facial expression.

shautzy43

Likewise, and sometimes I tend to judge their cadence.

chado445510

Yes, I love seeing what others ride.

pchopper

x2!

RidingMatthew

+1 I agree I usually wave or nod.

I usually check out the bike. I think people riding in the car with me might think I am looking at the person but I am looking at the bike.

heckler

I ignore. My wife gets pissed at people honking while running, and I am not particularly fond of it either as its intention is unclear. She gets alot of landscapers and what not, which has led to her flipping off a few friends and family who are trying to give "supportive" honks.

Your horn should be to signal something relating to traffic, not offereing support.

vjp

I try and give them room, which can be difficult if I am driving my car on the bike path, in that case I gently nudge them into the hedge and wave as I pass.

vjp

Tsuru

I usually yell at them to get off the road and throw AAA batteries. More road for me when I'm riding.


...but, seriously, same as above, check out the bike then just pass 'em quickly with generous room.

Tsuru

I'll tell ya, though... if I had a truck/van/SUV thing and the road was empty? I'd probably take it pretty slow to give 'em a chance to draft me. Especially if it's windy out. That'd be fun!