MinnMan

One of the things that took me a long time to learn is that in any conflict, it's not only possible for both sides to be wrong, it's likely.

big john

If they just ignore you it's not a big deal, at least they aren't a threat.

There was a guy in our club who's hearing was very bad from being a stunt man. Lots of people thought he ignored them and got the nickname "Eddie Jerks". He was actually a nice man.

jadmt

I suppose that could happen but seems it is only that age group. how tough is it to give a not or even a grunt. I am talking on well traveled bike lanes not in traffic but actual bike paths with very few if any walkers. when the time trialists go by me they usually all lift a hand or nod or say hey.

big john

I ride a bike path sometimes, too. It's pretty rare that I get ignored but it does happen. I try not to let it bother me.

Atlas Shrugged

So this fellow could be hard of hearing, listening to music, deeply involved in his own thoughts or just uninterested in a social interaction he gets a hearty F’ you. Nice move.

jadmt

I guess he wouldn't have heard it then. dude would not even look at me when he was 3 feet from me. He was not listening to music, now could have been hard of hearing but still not even a glance. hell if he was that deeply involved in his own thoughts good thing he did not get hit by a car...now if he was not interested in social interaction he would not have minded being told to f off.

RCMoeur 

We had a rider in our group who would greet other cyclists - but then become enraged and verbally abusive if they did not respond in kind. I tried to explain politely that courtesy given is a virtue, but to always expect it back is an imposition. Didn't help. We finally had to ask that rider to not ride in our group anymore, for that (and other) reasons).

AJW2W11E

I'm the OP . Some of this is serious and some is humour i guess. This brings new meaning to the phrase 63 is the new 43. It should read 63 is the new 13. Always wanted to age in a dignified manner like my father. Now I will probably be rolling around in some bushes with some Tarzan guy my same age next week.
When I was a kid , I envisioned myself at 60 with a pipe and heavy sweater reading to a grand kid in a rocking chair. The only part that is coming true is I'm rocking with an issue a grandkid usually faces...
Modern life..

Mtracer

When I'm passing on a MUP I'll call out "passing" to warn the rider , walker, or runner I'm passing. If they acknowledge they have heard me in some way, the experienced simply raise a hand. Then as I pass, I will usually say "have a nice day" and usually get a "You too" back. If they don't acknowledge my call to passing, I pass without any further words. This isn't to be in anyway passive aggressive towards them, rather some people are just in a zone and I don't feel like intruding. I've warned them that I'm passing, if they don't hear me or care, there's nothing I can do.

I usually don't say anything on the road when passing unless I'm passing relatively slowly where it almost seems like you're riding beside them for a short bit. I don't need to call out passing as I'll swing out from the shoulder to the traffic lane and there's no safety issue.

I also generally give a wave to oncoming cyclist or others like runners and walkers. 80% of the time I get some wave back. I won't do this on a busy MUP as I'd be waving so much it would be like I was in a parade. I don't sweat the ones that don't wave back. I know that sometimes while riding, my head is somewhere else or I'm just concentrating on a road hazard and I won't notice a rider on the other side of the road in time to wave back at them. So, I don't take it personally if a rider doesn't wave back to me. And of course riders on TT bikes, I don't expect that at all. Though some will raise their fingers to "wave" back.

I would never get upset with anyone who ignored me, let alone give them an F-you. I have no right to expect any interaction from other road or MUP users beyond what's needed to do things safely.

Russ Roth

I've got a nice two word response to situations like this, "that's nice". It's said in a friendly but dismissive tone of voice and doesn't tend to leave a lot of room for argument. Just lets the person know you're not going to be baited, your not going to yell, and you're indifferent to their anger. It doesn't offer them much to retort too and often gives a good pause as they figure out how to respond. From there I just ignore them, my life's too busy to get wrapped up in someone else's grudge and if they want to be grumpy and rude every time I meet them than good for them.

Atlas Shrugged

Do you also approach and talk to other random strangers, walking down the street, on the bus, at the gas station, etc? If so and when you do not receive an appropriate response do you also say “F’ you” to them as well. He is just riding a bike and perhaps does not realize it is part of some secret society where all acknowledgments must be reciprocated. To many people riding a bike is just that and nothing more.

jadmt

yea you are right. but I do usually great people and don't recall too many times not get some response back. for the record maybe the he thought the f stood for fast you or feel you or fear you or any number of other words that started with F chances are he never heard them but regardless it made me feel better which is why I ride in the first place. I also suppose he could have heard it as S you like see you which I guess would not have been cool as that was not my intent.

PeteHski

It was just the slightly cocky vibe of your post. As if we are not worthy to ride slow while kitted out on a fast bike. I'll bear that in mind next time I do a recovery spin or while I'm cruising to the start of a big group ride etc.

jadmt

not meaning to be cocky sounding. sorry if it came across that way. my point is it is always and I mean always the males in that age group who are kitted up and I ride almost everyday. Seems odd to me but maybe it's not.

bruce19

To the original post.....he has a choice in how he acts and you have a choice. You can't control his decision. Only your own. Don't make up stories about him or his motivation. Choose your path wisely because it is the one you will walk.

TakingMyTime

Every interaction on the road is different. Unfortunately, sometimes the stars align and we lose it. It's inevitable. I try to ride my ride and take a deep breath when confronted with a situation that upsets me. I always try to be the better person.

shelbyfv

So much resentment of old guys wearing comfortable, activity appropriate clothing. Next up- they are too slow for their expensive bikes. Only on BF.

jon c. 

Seems that people who ride in street clothes often have issues when passing people who wear "kit." If a story involves passing another rider, more often than not it involves passing a rider in spandex. Odd coincidence.

DiabloScott

Introducing some levity into this conversation:


Back on topic - ride a straight line and be aware of the other riders ahead and behind.

PeteHski

Okay, but I don't see what being "kitted up" has to do with anything. It just read like you were bragging about riding faster in casual gear on an old bike. I find that riding kitted out on a race bike does tend to attract "racers" in the same way that it does when driving a fast car. I tend to just ignore the obvious race baiters, which is probably what is happening to you here.

andrewclaus

This is the first time I've ever quoted my own post. Not an hour after I wrote that, I took off on a 40-mile ride and two blocks from house I made a mistake and scared another cyclist. I caught myself in time from pulling out in front of him (he wasn't very visible--dark clothing and no light). He swerved a bit and had a choice word for me. I had enough time to apologize profusely, but he kept going, never even slowed down. It was a good reminder that we all make mistakes.

That reminds me of a conflict I caused when driving in a parking lot. The other driver followed me into a store. I apologized, and she smiled and said, "I'm glad I'm not the only one who does stuff like that." It was very gracious of her and a model of good behavior.

(The ride today was fantastic, the Lariat Loop from Golden, 42 miles through Evergreen and Red Rocks Park, about 3,000' of climbing.)

I-Like-To-Bike

Only on BF?
You must not read or hear many comments anywhere else on social media sites or traditional media outlets at any mention or commentary about bicylists.

seypat

When I was around 25, I couldn't accept a call in a pickup basketball game from the other team. As with most situations like that, the game stops and people nearly come to blows. A few days later, I'm coming out of the locker romm headed for the court. Coming towards me is one of the players I was arguing with from the previous altercation. He was a big, mean looking mountain of a man. I'm thinking, "What am I going to do?" As he got close, I stuck out my hand and apologized. He did the same. We shook hands and that was that. He turned out to be a great guy. That was one of those moments when I realized I had grown up.

MoAlpha

I once yelled immoderately at a driver who did something inconsiderate, but not deadly. She let me finish and then deadpanned, “Feel better now?”

TiHabanero

You point out every time he sees you he shouts something your way. He's picking on you because you ain't fighting back. I applaud your two word message to him. No sense in taking his crap anymore. Enough is enough.