Housewife gave me the finger today, why the cyclist hatred ?

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Comments

  • pollys_bott
    pollys_bott Posts: 1,012
    thiscocks wrote:
    Ezy Rider wrote:
    i wonder if its middle aged woman in a 4 x 4 that are the most likely to give riders grief ?

    They have got to be the worst drivers in my experience. When I see a woman in something like an X5 I try to steer clear if possible but usually they will manage to remind you how bad they are at anything other than popping children out of themselves at some point.

    I regularly have the dubious pleasure of doing the morning run to a nursery dis-proportionately populated by the offspring of snotty stuck-up arses in 4x4s / SUVs / big German estates. The 'I am considerably richer/better/cleverer/sexier than yowse' attitude reaches its zenith when they get behind the wheel, and add that to the sense of security they undoubtedly feel inside their big strong metal cage it's no wonder they drive the way they do. Thank God I'm also stuck inside a metal cage... :lol:

    Seriously though, due to a shift change I've recently spent much more time on the roads at normal rush hour time (both on a bike and in the car); and it's just bonkers. Everyone's tearing about, I've narrowly avoided a head-on collision with some gurning munter who was too busy speeding past a group of cyclists to notice she was about to mow me down and ridden into the back of some old giffer who overtook me on a bend and then had to pull in and slam on his brakes to avoid driving into an on-coming car who was on our side of the road because of parked cars on his side. The scariest thing is that they don't think they're doing anything wrong...

    And why is it that when I'm out pulling the little lad along in the trailer everyone always waits patiently and drives past at a sensible speed and distance, yet on my own sometimes it's as if I have a bullseye on my back. It's all flesh and blood and human life isn't it?

    Love the 'off-duty traffic officer' approach - hopefully I shall remember it next time some muppet grazes my right elbow...
  • danbrum
    danbrum Posts: 45
    I had a similar age woman follow close behind me as I went up a steep narrow hill, I pulled to the side at the top for her to pass and she told me I had a nice bum! 8)
  • ollyridesfirst
    ollyridesfirst Posts: 486
    Pollys Bott wrote:
    thiscocks wrote:
    Ezy Rider wrote:
    i wonder if its middle aged woman in a 4 x 4 that are the most likely to give riders grief ?
    And why is it that when I'm out pulling the little lad along in the trailer everyone always waits patiently and drives past at a sensible speed and distance, yet on my own sometimes it's as if I have a bullseye on my back. It's all flesh and blood and human life isn't it?

    absolute death trap....i couldn't imagine taking my little girl out inside one of them trailers! Far too many idiots about in 2 tonnes of metal...
  • hokum
    hokum Posts: 30
    mikebikemike wrote:
    One more vote for the cheery wave - I especially enjoy smiling and waving to the grump whilst saying loud enough for my passengers/pedestrians but not the target to hear: "Cheerio you big ugly heifer" / "Bye, you tiny penised inadequate" etc etc

    This is my favourite tactic too. Put on a big s**t-eating grin and give them a massive wave so you look properly mental, it confuses the heck out of them. Sometimes I pucker up and blow 'em a kiss too. They fucking love it.
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,661
    hokum wrote:
    mikebikemike wrote:
    One more vote for the cheery wave - I especially enjoy smiling and waving to the grump whilst saying loud enough for my passengers/pedestrians but not the target to hear: "Cheerio you big ugly heifer" / "Bye, you tiny penised inadequate" etc etc

    This is my favourite tactic too. Put on a big s**t-eating grin and give them a massive wave so you look properly mental, it confuses the heck out of them. Sometimes I pucker up and blow 'em a kiss too. They ******* love it.

    I like the blown kiss - i usually follow it with hefty chest groaping....
    _
  • hokum
    hokum Posts: 30
    Rick Chasey wrote:
    hokum wrote:
    mikebikemike wrote:
    One more vote for the cheery wave - I especially enjoy smiling and waving to the grump whilst saying loud enough for my passengers/pedestrians but not the target to hear: "Cheerio you big ugly heifer" / "Bye, you tiny penised inadequate" etc etc

    This is my favourite tactic too. Put on a big s**t-eating grin and give them a massive wave so you look properly mental, it confuses the heck out of them. Sometimes I pucker up and blow 'em a kiss too. They ******* love it.

    I like the blown kiss - i usually follow it with hefty chest groaping....

    And let's not forget the cheeky arse-slap when you overtake.
  • rdt
    rdt Posts: 869
    OllyRidesFirst wrote:
    Pollys Bott wrote:
    And why is it that when I'm out pulling the little lad along in the trailer everyone always waits patiently and drives past at a sensible speed and distance, yet on my own sometimes it's as if I have a bullseye on my back. It's all flesh and blood and human life isn't it?

    absolute death trap....i couldn't imagine taking my little girl out inside one of them trailers! Far too many idiots about in 2 tonnes of metal...

    ...so have you got some stats on deaths of young children in cycle trailers, to back up your claim they're a death trap?
  • Simontheintrepid
    Simontheintrepid Posts: 128
    To balance this thread a little bit.

    Just beginning the ascent of one of my training hills. It's a country lane but not too narrow. Old chap comes down the hill in his car and even though there is plenty of room he pulls over, stops and calls out: 'Good game!'. Made my day.
  • Redhog14
    Redhog14 Posts: 1,377
    I am very grateful in my area that there are so many talented drivers who can see round corners and be able to judge the distance between my front wheel and the oncoming car with such amazing precision... I live out in the country and therefore after some areshole manuouvers there are no traffic lights for me to catch up with them unfortunatley for me and fortunately for them. I can relate a rather great wee story of a rider from my village who having been clipped by a wing mirror caught up with some Saxo driving Ned in the shop in our village and laid him out on the floor for all to see.
    @surroundedbh
  • ollyridesfirst
    ollyridesfirst Posts: 486
    rdt wrote:
    OllyRidesFirst wrote:
    Pollys Bott wrote:
    And why is it that when I'm out pulling the little lad along in the trailer everyone always waits patiently and drives past at a sensible speed and distance, yet on my own sometimes it's as if I have a bullseye on my back. It's all flesh and blood and human life isn't it?

    absolute death trap....i couldn't imagine taking my little girl out inside one of them trailers! Far too many idiots about in 2 tonnes of metal...

    ...so have you got some stats on deaths of young children in cycle trailers, to back up your claim they're a death trap?

    I don't have any stats i'm afraid as the statement was personal opinion. It's bad enough being on a bike with some of the ar$ehole drivers about.....now imagine towing something that is only 3 feet off the floor behind you which most of these 4x4 cars wouldn't even see!

    There are pros and cons to both trailers and child seats though, and personally i wouldn't ride on the road with either until something has been done to calm the drivers in this country down and educate them about the safety needs of other, more vulnerable users of the road!
  • Rooner
    Rooner Posts: 109
    Definitely the way to go is a cheery, slightly crazed grin and a wave, although as someone said, a blown kiss works wonders (did this to a group of football fan monkeys in a van who were giving me abuse when I was running....man, did they go mental!)

    I think the main reason for the close shaves and near misses and abuse is pure jealousy, they are envious of us out in the fresh air, and 'probably' better physiques! On my regular commute, I pass a junction that has a left turn, down which are two gyms. The amount of times I am overtaken whilst in the middle of the junction by a car turning left is amazing, and most of them are going to the gym...jealousy I tell you! They are in awe of my finally honed body.......

    I think the way to go is to consider ALL other road users as mentally retarded, short sighted potential murderers, that way you are always prepared.
  • cornerblock
    cornerblock Posts: 3,228
    Think I will put my gilet on. It's downhill time!
  • oscar-j
    oscar-j Posts: 269
    You are TheBigBee aren't you pro?
  • shm_uk
    shm_uk Posts: 683
    Ezy Rider wrote:
    Kind of takes away the enjoyment doesnt it.

    Your first mistake was responding to her, which allowed her to let off another barrage and (in her mind) justifies her initial rant, and let her feel like she'd achieved something.

    In these situations I find the best thing to do is adopt the Zen 'water off a ducks back' stance... Show absolutely zero response. No shouting. No gestures. No eye contact. Nothing. Do not acknowledge the existance of them or their car.

    This way you stay calm & enjoy your ride.

    Whilst the offending driver has achieved absolutely nothing except for getting all hot and bothered with themselves in their little tin car.
  • pollys_bott
    pollys_bott Posts: 1,012
    OllyRidesFirst wrote:
    rdt wrote:
    OllyRidesFirst wrote:
    Pollys Bott wrote:
    And why is it that when I'm out pulling the little lad along in the trailer everyone always waits patiently and drives past at a sensible speed and distance, yet on my own sometimes it's as if I have a bullseye on my back. It's all flesh and blood and human life isn't it?

    absolute death trap....i couldn't imagine taking my little girl out inside one of them trailers! Far too many idiots about in 2 tonnes of metal...

    ...so have you got some stats on deaths of young children in cycle trailers, to back up your claim they're a death trap?

    I don't have any stats i'm afraid as the statement was personal opinion. It's bad enough being on a bike with some of the ar$ehole drivers about.....now imagine towing something that is only 3 feet off the floor behind you which most of these 4x4 cars wouldn't even see!

    There are pros and cons to both trailers and child seats though, and personally i wouldn't ride on the road with either until something has been done to calm the drivers in this country down and educate them about the safety needs of other, more vulnerable users of the road!

    You are of course perfectly entitled to your opinion sir, but I must say that I actually feel safer towing a trailer because in my experience people drive more considerately past me. So much so in fact that I'm seriously considering hitching it up empty every time I go out riding, good resistance training too... :lol:
  • Ezy Rider
    Ezy Rider Posts: 415
    "You are one of the reasons a small minority of drivers hate cyclists."


    I think its more than a small minority.
  • Ezy Rider
    Ezy Rider Posts: 415
    shm_uk wrote:
    Ezy Rider wrote:
    Kind of takes away the enjoyment doesnt it.

    Your first mistake was responding to her, which allowed her to let off another barrage and (in her mind) justifies her initial rant, and let her feel like she'd achieved something.

    In these situations I find the best thing to do is adopt the Zen 'water off a ducks back' stance... Show absolutely zero response. No shouting. No gestures. No eye contact. Nothing. Do not acknowledge the existance of them or their car.

    This way you stay calm & enjoy your ride.

    Whilst the offending driver has achieved absolutely nothing except for getting all hot and bothered with themselves in their little tin car.



    in my experience , its usually in her bmw x5, dreadful drivers
  • ollyridesfirst
    ollyridesfirst Posts: 486
    Pollys Bott wrote:
    OllyRidesFirst wrote:
    rdt wrote:
    OllyRidesFirst wrote:
    Pollys Bott wrote:
    And why is it that when I'm out pulling the little lad along in the trailer everyone always waits patiently and drives past at a sensible speed and distance, yet on my own sometimes it's as if I have a bullseye on my back. It's all flesh and blood and human life isn't it?

    absolute death trap....i couldn't imagine taking my little girl out inside one of them trailers! Far too many idiots about in 2 tonnes of metal...

    ...so have you got some stats on deaths of young children in cycle trailers, to back up your claim they're a death trap?

    I don't have any stats i'm afraid as the statement was personal opinion. It's bad enough being on a bike with some of the ar$ehole drivers about.....now imagine towing something that is only 3 feet off the floor behind you which most of these 4x4 cars wouldn't even see!

    There are pros and cons to both trailers and child seats though, and personally i wouldn't ride on the road with either until something has been done to calm the drivers in this country down and educate them about the safety needs of other, more vulnerable users of the road!

    You are of course perfectly entitled to your opinion sir, but I must say that I actually feel safer towing a trailer because in my experience people drive more considerately past me. So much so in fact that I'm seriously considering hitching it up empty every time I go out riding, good resistance training too... :lol:

    You'll have to fill it with bricks or bags of potatoes!

    Actually you may have hit on something there... :D
  • outcastjack
    outcastjack Posts: 237
    After a short discussion down the pub i think i have worked out why it is the middle aged overweight ones that keep trying to kill us...


    They want our organs.
  • griffsters
    griffsters Posts: 490
    oscar-j wrote:
    You are TheBigBee aren't you pro?

    My thoughts too...
  • paulorg
    paulorg Posts: 168
    Like some others I play the person in authority role and it often changes a driver's attitude when you say "sir/madam, I'm off duty at the moment but if you like you can join me at the station later and we can discuss the issue" followed by a short lecture about what they've done wrong and a lie that you have their reg and description. This covers the legal issues because you haven't claimed to be anything that you're not.
    If you buy it, they will come...








    ...up to you and say, you didn't want to buy one of them!!!

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