Yelled at to "get off the road!" First time in about 3 years.
06-26-10, 01:13 PM
#1
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Yelled at to "get off the road!" First time in about 3 years.
Well folks, for the first time in at least three years, it happened. I got yelled at to "get off the road". The Time: Last night, about 8:55 PM.
The place: Intersection of Auburndale Avenue, and Rowe Street, Newton MA. Description of incident: I was making a left turn from Rowe
onto Auburndale ave. I was in the left lane. Two cars were approaching from my right, on Auburndale. Both were making left turns, onto Rowe
street. So, I'm waiting. I've got a red superflash operating, reflective ankle bands per state requirements, and a proper headlight.
So, from behind, I hear a funky sounding car. A small car, not sure of the make or model. Really rough shape. It either had a "fart can" muffler, or else
the exhaust pipes were on their way out.
The driver of this rather noisy car wanted to go right. There was plenty of room to do this. The driver was female. Didn't get a good look at her,
but her voice suggested a long relationship with cigarettes. She babbled something totally incoherent, then stated, loudly, "And why don't you just
get off the road!!!" She then made her right turn, (again, there was plenty of space) and went on her merry way. The other two cars made their left turns
onto Rowe Street with no problems. So I made my left, and heard,, a backfire or something, coming from the noise machine, down the street. Sure was loud.
Nothing else. I said nothing. I found the experience rather amusing.
The place: Intersection of Auburndale Avenue, and Rowe Street, Newton MA. Description of incident: I was making a left turn from Rowe
onto Auburndale ave. I was in the left lane. Two cars were approaching from my right, on Auburndale. Both were making left turns, onto Rowe
street. So, I'm waiting. I've got a red superflash operating, reflective ankle bands per state requirements, and a proper headlight.
So, from behind, I hear a funky sounding car. A small car, not sure of the make or model. Really rough shape. It either had a "fart can" muffler, or else
the exhaust pipes were on their way out.
The driver of this rather noisy car wanted to go right. There was plenty of room to do this. The driver was female. Didn't get a good look at her,
but her voice suggested a long relationship with cigarettes. She babbled something totally incoherent, then stated, loudly, "And why don't you just
get off the road!!!" She then made her right turn, (again, there was plenty of space) and went on her merry way. The other two cars made their left turns
onto Rowe Street with no problems. So I made my left, and heard,, a backfire or something, coming from the noise machine, down the street. Sure was loud.
Nothing else. I said nothing. I found the experience rather amusing.
06-26-10, 04:08 PM
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My favorite answer in those cases is a big wave, and in the most cheerful possible voice, "Thanks! You too!"
Driver doesn't know what to say, so she usually just drives away, then gets to sit there oscillating between two possibilities, both of which she dislikes: "Did he think I said something nice? That would suck; I wanted to insult him. Or was he just telling me to get off the road, and I didn't respond? That would suck; I wanted the last word!"
Driver doesn't know what to say, so she usually just drives away, then gets to sit there oscillating between two possibilities, both of which she dislikes: "Did he think I said something nice? That would suck; I wanted to insult him. Or was he just telling me to get off the road, and I didn't respond? That would suck; I wanted the last word!"
06-26-10, 04:09 PM
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06-26-10, 05:24 PM
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I just wave. I hear this at least a couple times a year.
06-26-10, 07:00 PM
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I never hear this without the F-bomb inserted. Folks must be more civilized back East. I feel like I'm on a roll,though. I haven't been told to "get the f*** off the road for nearly two months.
06-26-10, 07:05 PM
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people half talk to themselves all the time. the past couple days I've been frustrated by some drivers while driving myself and have shouted things like: "just drive your car" or "go ahead, take your time I'm not going anywhere". in last night's case you actually heard her.
06-26-10, 07:12 PM
#7
Banned
I was called a f****ing idiot by an oncoming motorist this evening, and since it happened on the most technical part of my commute, I didn't have time to respond, probably a good thing on my part.
06-26-10, 09:11 PM
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Happened to me for the first time ever about 2 weeks ago. I was northbound on West Outer Drive in Dearborn. Approaching Michigan Avenue the road narrows to four lanes, goes under the RR tracks and back up to Michigan. I took the right lane in preparation to turn into the strip mall parking lot but traffic was backed up waiting for the light. As I waited for the car in front of me to move, a driver in the left lane yelled "Get on the sidewalk". I looked over and said "Thanks for the advice".
06-26-10, 09:31 PM
#11
Senior Member
I finally lost my mouth last night after getting yelled at from behind for the 15th time. I was at the end of an 80 mile ride at 2:30 in the morning and let the F-bomb fly. I haven't done that since I can't remember when. It would be one thing if they offered advice (right or wrong, friendly or not) but just screaming is nothing more than to startle you and it pisses me off.
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06-26-10, 09:40 PM
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Well folks, for the first time in at least three years, it happened. I got yelled at to "get off the road". The Time: Last night, about 8:55 PM.
The place: Intersection of Auburndale Avenue, and Rowe Street, Newton MA. Description of incident: I was making a left turn from Rowe
onto Auburndale ave. I was in the left lane. Two cars were approaching from my right, on Auburndale. Both were making left turns, onto Rowe
street. So, I'm waiting. I've got a red superflash operating, reflective ankle bands per state requirements, and a proper headlight.
So, from behind, I hear a funky sounding car. A small car, not sure of the make or model. Really rough shape. It either had a "fart can" muffler, or else
the exhaust pipes were on their way out.
The driver of this rather noisy car wanted to go right. There was plenty of room to do this. The driver was female. Didn't get a good look at her,
but her voice suggested a long relationship with cigarettes. She babbled something totally incoherent, then stated, loudly, "And why don't you just
get off the road!!!" She then made her right turn, (again, there was plenty of space) and went on her merry way. The other two cars made their left turns
onto Rowe Street with no problems. So I made my left, and heard,, a backfire or something, coming from the noise machine, down the street. Sure was loud.
Nothing else. I said nothing. I found the experience rather amusing.
The place: Intersection of Auburndale Avenue, and Rowe Street, Newton MA. Description of incident: I was making a left turn from Rowe
onto Auburndale ave. I was in the left lane. Two cars were approaching from my right, on Auburndale. Both were making left turns, onto Rowe
street. So, I'm waiting. I've got a red superflash operating, reflective ankle bands per state requirements, and a proper headlight.
So, from behind, I hear a funky sounding car. A small car, not sure of the make or model. Really rough shape. It either had a "fart can" muffler, or else
the exhaust pipes were on their way out.
The driver of this rather noisy car wanted to go right. There was plenty of room to do this. The driver was female. Didn't get a good look at her,
but her voice suggested a long relationship with cigarettes. She babbled something totally incoherent, then stated, loudly, "And why don't you just
get off the road!!!" She then made her right turn, (again, there was plenty of space) and went on her merry way. The other two cars made their left turns
onto Rowe Street with no problems. So I made my left, and heard,, a backfire or something, coming from the noise machine, down the street. Sure was loud.
Nothing else. I said nothing. I found the experience rather amusing.
06-26-10, 10:19 PM
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I find it absoultely hilarious when you respond with a wave and a stupid grin, and they just get furious. I've just been yelled at 3 times in the last two trips into Edmonton, first times its ever happened. One was a guy who honked and motioned be to move over closer to the curb in the right lane, where I was taking the lane due to horrible potholes on the right side. Considering we were the only traffic for a good half-km, it's hilarious that its such an inconvinience for a motorist to turn the steeering wheel two inches, pass me in the left lane, and be on his way.
06-26-10, 11:11 PM
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Well folks, for the first time in at least three years, it happened. I got yelled at to "get off the road". The Time: Last night, about 8:55 PM.
The place: Intersection of Auburndale Avenue, and Rowe Street, Newton MA. Description of incident: I was making a left turn from Rowe
onto Auburndale ave. I was in the left lane. Two cars were approaching from my right, on Auburndale. Both were making left turns, onto Rowe
street. So, I'm waiting. I've got a red superflash operating, reflective ankle bands per state requirements, and a proper headlight.
So, from behind, I hear a funky sounding car. A small car, not sure of the make or model. Really rough shape. It either had a "fart can" muffler, or else
the exhaust pipes were on their way out.
The driver of this rather noisy car wanted to go right. There was plenty of room to do this. The driver was female. Didn't get a good look at her,
but her voice suggested a long relationship with cigarettes. She babbled something totally incoherent, then stated, loudly, "And why don't you just
get off the road!!!" She then made her right turn, (again, there was plenty of space) and went on her merry way. The other two cars made their left turns
onto Rowe Street with no problems. So I made my left, and heard,, a backfire or something, coming from the noise machine, down the street. Sure was loud.
Nothing else. I said nothing. I found the experience rather amusing.
The place: Intersection of Auburndale Avenue, and Rowe Street, Newton MA. Description of incident: I was making a left turn from Rowe
onto Auburndale ave. I was in the left lane. Two cars were approaching from my right, on Auburndale. Both were making left turns, onto Rowe
street. So, I'm waiting. I've got a red superflash operating, reflective ankle bands per state requirements, and a proper headlight.
So, from behind, I hear a funky sounding car. A small car, not sure of the make or model. Really rough shape. It either had a "fart can" muffler, or else
the exhaust pipes were on their way out.
The driver of this rather noisy car wanted to go right. There was plenty of room to do this. The driver was female. Didn't get a good look at her,
but her voice suggested a long relationship with cigarettes. She babbled something totally incoherent, then stated, loudly, "And why don't you just
get off the road!!!" She then made her right turn, (again, there was plenty of space) and went on her merry way. The other two cars made their left turns
onto Rowe Street with no problems. So I made my left, and heard,, a backfire or something, coming from the noise machine, down the street. Sure was loud.
Nothing else. I said nothing. I found the experience rather amusing.
06-27-10, 04:13 AM
#16
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Well folks, for the first time in at least three years, it happened. I got yelled at to "get off the road". The Time: Last night, about 8:55 PM.
The place: Intersection of Auburndale Avenue, and Rowe Street, Newton MA. Description of incident: I was making a left turn from Rowe
onto Auburndale ave. I was in the left lane. Two cars were approaching from my right, on Auburndale. Both were making left turns, onto Rowe
street. So, I'm waiting. I've got a red superflash operating, reflective ankle bands per state requirements, and a proper headlight.
So, from behind, I hear a funky sounding car. A small car, not sure of the make or model. Really rough shape. It either had a "fart can" muffler, or else
the exhaust pipes were on their way out.
The driver of this rather noisy car wanted to go right. There was plenty of room to do this. The driver was female. Didn't get a good look at her,
but her voice suggested a long relationship with cigarettes. She babbled something totally incoherent, then stated, loudly, "And why don't you just
get off the road!!!" She then made her right turn, (again, there was plenty of space) and went on her merry way. The other two cars made their left turns
onto Rowe Street with no problems. So I made my left, and heard,, a backfire or something, coming from the noise machine, down the street. Sure was loud.
Nothing else. I said nothing. I found the experience rather amusing.
The place: Intersection of Auburndale Avenue, and Rowe Street, Newton MA. Description of incident: I was making a left turn from Rowe
onto Auburndale ave. I was in the left lane. Two cars were approaching from my right, on Auburndale. Both were making left turns, onto Rowe
street. So, I'm waiting. I've got a red superflash operating, reflective ankle bands per state requirements, and a proper headlight.
So, from behind, I hear a funky sounding car. A small car, not sure of the make or model. Really rough shape. It either had a "fart can" muffler, or else
the exhaust pipes were on their way out.
The driver of this rather noisy car wanted to go right. There was plenty of room to do this. The driver was female. Didn't get a good look at her,
but her voice suggested a long relationship with cigarettes. She babbled something totally incoherent, then stated, loudly, "And why don't you just
get off the road!!!" She then made her right turn, (again, there was plenty of space) and went on her merry way. The other two cars made their left turns
onto Rowe Street with no problems. So I made my left, and heard,, a backfire or something, coming from the noise machine, down the street. Sure was loud.
Nothing else. I said nothing. I found the experience rather amusing.
06-27-10, 04:47 AM
#17
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It is that concentration on the traffic around me that actually "gets me" in these yelling/honking situations. I am not "braced" for the sudden "barrage" from some motor vehicle and thus I may be suddenly startled. Of course, the idiot may be looking for just that reaction, but there is no way for me to avoid such a reaction as it is perfectly normal to "jump" when a sudden loud sound occurs.
I find this particularly annoying as this means that now I have been momentarily endangered as my concentration in traffic situation has been broken...
I find this particularly annoying as this means that now I have been momentarily endangered as my concentration in traffic situation has been broken...
06-27-10, 07:10 AM
#18
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My favorite answer in those cases is a big wave, and in the most cheerful possible voice, "Thanks! You too!"
Driver doesn't know what to say, so she usually just drives away, then gets to sit there oscillating between two possibilities, both of which she dislikes: "Did he think I said something nice? That would suck; I wanted to insult him. Or was he just telling me to get off the road, and I didn't respond? That would suck; I wanted the last word!"
Driver doesn't know what to say, so she usually just drives away, then gets to sit there oscillating between two possibilities, both of which she dislikes: "Did he think I said something nice? That would suck; I wanted to insult him. Or was he just telling me to get off the road, and I didn't respond? That would suck; I wanted the last word!"
06-27-10, 10:20 AM
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I have tried all kinds of things.
IMO Waving escalates the situation and usually the try to run you off the road.
My favorite is to give it some hustle, get out of my saddle, drop my pants and give them a view of the moon, they never know what do to do after that, and has always worked to de-escalate the situation.
06-27-10, 10:45 AM
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One thing that I have had a lot of entertainment with is yelling back "see you tomorrow!" Especially if they can see you and you smile and wave. It confuses everyone.
If it was a female you should have yelled "call me" with the hand signal like a phone next to your head.
As long as you look confident and happy the drivers are confused. Most want you to feel intimidated or to actually get out of the way. When you really are not worried about it they are confused.
If it was a female you should have yelled "call me" with the hand signal like a phone next to your head.
As long as you look confident and happy the drivers are confused. Most want you to feel intimidated or to actually get out of the way. When you really are not worried about it they are confused.
06-27-10, 11:37 AM
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One thing that I have had a lot of entertainment with is yelling back "see you tomorrow!" Especially if they can see you and you smile and wave. It confuses everyone.
If it was a female you should have yelled "call me" with the hand signal like a phone next to your head.
As long as you look confident and happy the drivers are confused. Most want you to feel intimidated or to actually get out of the way. When you really are not worried about it they are confused.
If it was a female you should have yelled "call me" with the hand signal like a phone next to your head.
As long as you look confident and happy the drivers are confused. Most want you to feel intimidated or to actually get out of the way. When you really are not worried about it they are confused.
It's either that, or reflectors in your pedals. I prefer the bands. But, I have not heard of anyone yet getting nailed for not having these.
06-27-10, 09:08 PM
#23
Walmart bike rider
yea, just best to ignore the idiots who yell "get off the road". **ANY** reaction you give to them only is rewarding them for the behavior. From waving to them or flipping the finger, just ignore the urge.
06-28-10, 09:00 AM
#24
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I yell this at other cars while driving sometimes. She might not have been an anti-bike jerk, just a jerk.
06-28-10, 11:37 AM
#25
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I had an attempted dooring for the first time ever today. Guy drove by really close and opened his door, trying to hit me. Too bad I couldn't get his license plate...
I get the occasional yell (only a few times a month), but this was the first time I ever had anyone try anything. I was even in the friggin' bike lane!
I get the occasional yell (only a few times a month), but this was the first time I ever had anyone try anything. I was even in the friggin' bike lane!