This afternoon, I ditched work a bit early to get a ride in with ThomP,his fiancee Miriam, and a small crew that met up at International in Newton. The ride was short and sweet, about an hour and a half around Cutler Park, which lies just down the road from the shop. It was shaping up to be the perfect end to the day - a ride in the woods with some good friends on a sunny, April afternoon.
However...
As we were making our way back on the road at about 7:30pm, a driver laid on his horn as he passed our group. The road at this point, you may be interested to know, is three lanes wide with a center, turning lane, yielding plenty of room for a car to safely get around cyclists, even riding two or three abreast. Well, to make a long story short, I gave the driver a salute, which he returned in kind, to which I responded with a bark reserved for such occasions. "Come on!", accompanied with a two handed wave, beckoning back to myself. Really, my language got no more blue than that. What was stirring inside was much more serious.
I'm usually pretty good about bridling my rage. In a case of driver v. cyclist, though, that cool quickly unravels. I should continue to preface by letting you all know that I'm actually pretty ambivalent toward a lot of cyclists on the road, but let me explain this. Cycling, I believe firmly, has a place on the streets, without question. The problem I have is with many cyclists, not with cycling. Living in a large city for as long as I have, I've seen plenty of riders who eschew prudence and ride in an entirely lawless manner, without regard for any road user but themselves - cyclists, cars, pedestrians included. These people irritate me to no end because they are often also most vocal about their 'rights' on the road.
With all this constantly in the back of my mind, I ride respectfully, while taking advantage of my size on the road and clear view of my surroundings from which motor vehicles don't benefit. When I come to a line of stopped traffic, I'll ride through until things get moving again and merge back into the flow. I'll stop at an intersection, but if it's safe for me and won't interfere with other traffic, I'll slip across. I am, however, constantly cognizant of the fact that there are other users on the road, and I don't ever do anything deliberately to impede their own travel (Critical Mass, THAT is aimed directly at you). That behavior only broadens the rift and elevates the tension felt between motorized- and non-motorized- road users.
What this all comes down to is: When someone is inconsiderate enough to make an aggressive gesture of any kind toward me or the people riding with me, I take it personally. Very personally. As in: I lose it. Completely. It's a David Banner moment, for sure. And as I think back on it, it's probably best for me that the driver of that black Camry didn't stop. I like to believe I would have only given him a piece of my mind, but at that moment, I was thinking with my clenched fists.
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Hi, it's me the black Camry driver.
ReplyDeleteA lifetime of poor diet, consumption of vast quantities of domestic lite beer, and general indolence has left me fat, angry, and impotent. I vent my frustration over this fact at people out enjoying themselves in a healthy manner which impacts me in no way whatsoever.
Yes I could have pulled around you in the open left turn lane, and yes I did have enough room to pass you with the legally required 3 foot margin, but I thought I would lay on my horn any way. It's really the only thing I can derive joy from in my big, fat, angry, and impotent life.
Lucky for you I didn't stop. I always carry my Kendo equipment in the trunk.
I'm also fond of the "come on back and talk to me about it!" gesture. Fucking with people from behind the wheel is much like fucking with them from behind your computer - people are much bolder than they will be if they have to confront you and own their opinions. Except, of course, the ones behind the wheel can actually kill you.
ReplyDeleteGreat entry. Sharing the road works both ways for sure. It's a mystery why people aren't more cooperative when they have wheels under them. People will cut you off on the way into the coffee shop parking lot, and then hold the door for you when you're walking in. I guess wheels bring out our urge to compete.
ReplyDeleteWith honking though, I always tell myself it's the ones who don't honk that run you over. I try to just stay calm and let it go. If someone in a car is truly aggressive and road rageous (usually kids yelling and throwing shit), I pull out the phone and take a picture of their plate as obviously as I can. So far every single one of them has high-tailed.