I keep reading all the horror stories about aggressive, inconsiderate, and irate drivers. But, my experiences are just the opposite.
I have had only one bad experience, but when I reminded the irate driver - a brash, loud-mouthed 20 something punk with spiked hair and about twelve earings - that I was twice as big as he was and invited him to step to the side of the road for further "discussion," he had second thoughts and sped away.
Today was a typical ride. I was on mainly two-lane country roads with no bike lane. They are narrow, hilly, and lots of twists and turns.
I noticed a van behind me as I approached a stretch of narrower than usual road, a blind curve down a hill. The van slowed down and poked along behind me. After rounding the corner, I spotted a driveway, and I pulled in and motioned the van to go ahead. The driver waved back, and shouted "Thanks!"
Later, I came on an intersection with a car at a stop sign. The car could have sped in front of me to make its left turn, but the driver motioned for me to go on by. I said "Thanks" and he smiled and waved.
This is a normal ride for me. No aggressive, obnoxious, irate, insult shouting drivers. All the other cyclists I saw waved back, the police waved and smiled at me, and the weather was simply gorgeous, about 75 with very low humidity. All it needed were some little birdies chirping and a line of cheerleaders cheering me on!
I have had only one bad experience, but when I reminded the irate driver - a brash, loud-mouthed 20 something punk with spiked hair and about twelve earings - that I was twice as big as he was and invited him to step to the side of the road for further "discussion," he had second thoughts and sped away.
Today was a typical ride. I was on mainly two-lane country roads with no bike lane. They are narrow, hilly, and lots of twists and turns.
I noticed a van behind me as I approached a stretch of narrower than usual road, a blind curve down a hill. The van slowed down and poked along behind me. After rounding the corner, I spotted a driveway, and I pulled in and motioned the van to go ahead. The driver waved back, and shouted "Thanks!"
Later, I came on an intersection with a car at a stop sign. The car could have sped in front of me to make its left turn, but the driver motioned for me to go on by. I said "Thanks" and he smiled and waved.
This is a normal ride for me. No aggressive, obnoxious, irate, insult shouting drivers. All the other cyclists I saw waved back, the police waved and smiled at me, and the weather was simply gorgeous, about 75 with very low humidity. All it needed were some little birdies chirping and a line of cheerleaders cheering me on!