just needing to vent a little, and maybe get some advice?

[Mr. Bloom]

I've struggled with this issue, but I've determined that it is safer to take the lane earlier rather than later.

[Running Mommy]

Mom of 4- You absolutely did the right thing. THEY were in the wrong! Esp since you were clearly signalling! I wish they made helmets with cameras that we could hit a button and snap a picture of the cars when they pull that crap! Now THAT would be a worthwhile invention!!

[momof4greatkids]

Thanks Silver, and Running Mom. I really thought I was doing the right thing by taking the lane, but this guy was just in a huge hurry. Didn't mind risking my life or limb to save himself 15 seconds.

My husband said I should have gotten his plate number, and though I thought of it at the time but I was so rattled I didn't get my act together and memorize it.

[Jo-n-NY]

I also believed you did all the right things here. It also made me think of a question that I ask myself at least once during every ride, at what point to take the lane when making a left turn. Sometime I tend to think that I took it too early, but I try to go by the distance of where the cars are behind me.

~ JoAnn

[Crankin]

I tend to take the lane early, too, if there's empty space, especially on my morning commute. I have one left turn with no light, where there's a lot of traffic going the other way and not a lot behind me. Wednesday I saw a big truck pretty far behind me so I got out and took the lane and clearly signaled because there were no oncoming cars for once. The truck should have slowed a bit more to pass me on the right; he came pretty close, but I knew he saw me. I feel safer taking the lane earlier, too. I think the experience you had reminds us that some motorists just don't realize that cyclists need to act the same way as motorists. Would he have passed another car on the left, if the car was signaling?

[SouthernBelle]

Similar thing happened to Meg & I last week. We were on a country road, about to take a left, I was in front. I knew there was an SUV coming up behind us so I took the lane and started to signal well in advance. They started to pass. Fortunately, I have a voice that can wake the dead, or cause someone to brake, which it did. Scared the %$#@ outta Meg though.

[mimitabby]

congrats! I've been watching you up there at the top!

All i can say, is the more you ride, the more you are going to run into these
ninnies. Just be alert, careful; etc!!