Johnny Mullet

I live in the country and ride my bike on country roads. I only been riding for about 3 months and on 3 different occasions some low life punk decides to slow down before approaching me and then floor the accelerator and leave me in a cloud of toxic black soot and smoke. These were 3 different trucks that did this to me and this makes me very angry. Sad thing is, I am a certified diesel truck garage tech and luckily for these guys, none of them are customers of mine.

Since I am in this trade, I know the type of people they are that drive these trucks. Usually younger redneck uneducated hillbillys that drive a huge truck like this to compensate for thier little packages. Most of them cannot afford to drive these huge pieces of junk and cannot afford to fix them unless they become crash course mechanics themselves. Most of the trucks are rusted out hulks with bald, underinflated tires and are falling apart.

My question is, how does someone deal with this situation?

Get a Go Pro camera and record every ride hoping to get a lic plate number next time it happens and then report them to our already understaffed Sherrif Dept?

Call the police and hope an officer is in the area and can investigate the matter and catch the idiot?

Carry heat and empty my clip into the back window and carry a shovel with me?

Has this ever happened to any of you guys? What do you do about it?

Mr. Hairy Legs

I would think a hillbilly T-shirt with stars, stripes, and an eagle on it would do the trick. Surely they wouldn't smoke out one of their own?

Northwestrider

Sure it has happened to me, but not very often. How do I handle it ? Ignoring it IMO is the best policy.

likebike23

I heard about kids doing that crap, they call it "rollin coal". They modify the truck to inject too much fuel and it smokes like hell. I guess it's some kind of rebellion against anyone who they perceive as being liberal or caring about the environment. Since you are on a bike, they probably figure you for one of those types. As for what you can do, I don't know. It may depend on the emission standards in the state you live in, no standard, nothing you can do. Say what you want about Yankees, but thank god we don't have this kind of **** going on.

JoeyBike

Here is an entire thread dedicated to "rolling coal" and how people handle it from about a month ago. Lots of fun videos too. Enjoy!

https://www.bikeforums.net/advocacy-s...en-smoked.html

Chris516

Get a GoPro, and call the police.

SnowJob

Damn, I'm sorry that's happened to you. That really sucks.

I guess I'll give my +1 to equipping a GoPro and calling the cops. Or maybe, if you can figure out who these guys are, sending the footage to their moms.

bikemig 

That sucks. You should offer these guys your business card since they clearly need your services in fixing their vehicles.

I used to ride a lot in rural areas for many years and never had any trouble.

The world has changed a lot over the years, though. There is a lot more anger out there. Sad to say this on July 4 but we are just too divided as a nation to be polite to people whom we disagree with politically (or think we disagree with). That's a sad statement but that's where we are. Frankly we are in a world of hurt if we can't figure out a way to talk to people we disagree with.

rumrunn6

happened to me on one of my last rides on a stretch from Bedford to Concord. despicable. I would have given them a piece of my mind if I caught up to them but I had no shot. it was obviously intentional

dynodonn 

If your state has a similar vehicle smoke program, that is not a bad idea.

Complaint Form for Smoking Vehicles

"The owner of the vehicle will be sent a courtesy letter."

vol

In addition to the the thread linked in #5 , also see these past threads:

Breathing exhaust fumes
The effect of exhaust fumes from vehicles

Even if the police care to intervene, how can anyone prove it was intentional?

I think all these fumes are really very bad for the environment and people's health (not only for their intended targets).

Chris516

Presuming that you live in New Hampshire. Isn't their motto on their license plates 'the free state'?

1986raleigh

Get a Jersey printed on the back "my other ride is a diesel guzzling, smoke belching, f250 4x4"

Lighten up, just a little funny stuff from teenager, rednecks are gonna redneck.

Rollfast

I thought it was "Live free or die". They survived, now they are free.

By the way, I'm going to assume the OP cannot afford a GoPro, some of us have priorities like eating and living in a stable structure with utilities...

rumrunn6

living in America and talking about about our freedoms doesn't mean you can do whatever you want. you can't infringe on the rights of others for example. in fact all of our rights have restrictions. for example my pursuit of happiness doesn't allow me to punch dumb sh*theads in the head no matter how happy that would make me.

dynodonn 

The same practical joke usually gets tiresome after the first time, and this is no different.

Darth Lefty 

Consider moving somewhere nice?

Sullalto

Ill-mannered ******** are everywhere.

curbtender

It's happened to me a couple of times, once, a credit card rolled off the bed as they passed. I picked it up and left it in front of a liquor store on my way back home. Let karma do it's work...

JoeyBike

Don't move to New Orleans. Getting some Rolling Coal here is about the kindest form of assault you can hope for. I rate getting smoked about a 2 out of 10 on the "that really ticks me off" scale of bicycle angst. If you already live somewhere that has not thoroughly desensitized you to a little black smoke, you are likely living in a pretty cool place.

Hold your breath. Then, after the smoke has cleared take a few deep breaths and make yourself aware of how much better your life is than someone who makes themselves happy by smoking you out. Those are some pathetic life forms that deserve your pity as much as your anger. Their lives, and their diesels, are probably headed for a water-filled ditch sooner than later.

Chicago Al 

Apparently some morons feel they are making a political statement by 'rolling coal.'

Political Protest Or Just Blowing Smoke? Anti-Environmentalists Are Now 'Rolling Coal'

Newt Reno

pffft, just wear a NASCAR shirt.

Chris516

LOL

You are right, about New Hampshire's state motto.

As for my GoPro answer. I know everyone has other priorities. That come before getting a GoPro camera, fiscally speaking. That is why I have been entering GoPro's 'Everything-We-Make-Daily-Giveaway' contest. I bought some new bib biking shorts today. Because, I needed a new pair of biking shorts. I have to get the camera through the contest. Because, It will take years to save for a GoPro camera.

Darth Lefty 

That... would probably work. Use Dale's 3

dougmc

Alas, I imagine that said letters will be seen as a badge of honor if they really are "rolling coal".

Ultimately, I can't see even video being particularly useful here, as it'll be hard to show that they did it inentionally. Though if they're also yelling and laughing at the victim at the same time, *that* might show intent and get the police to take it seriously.