Almost got hit by a car

[RolliePollie]

Grog makes some really good points.

Also, how could you have actually been going 30mph at the place where the lady suddenly turned in front of you?? Hadn't you already slowed way down in preparation for your own turn there at the same place? Surely you weren't going to take the turn at 30mph?
(I know, I know, and don't call you Shirley....)

Whenever I am entering into a potentially hazardous situation I tend to take the lane if it will help me stay safe. I also wear screaming yellow neon tops and that helps.

Lisa, I wasn't turning...I was just continuing on straight down the road. That's why I was just lettin' it roll. The car was turning left, across the road in front of me, into a driveway on my side of the street. I saw that she had her left turn signal on, but she was stopped, seemingly waiting for me to pass in the opposite direction. There weren't any cars coming up behind me, so it appeared that the only reason she'd be stopped there was to let me go by. I think she probably mis-judged how fast I was going and decided she could make her turn before I got there. She was wrong!!!

Grog - you do make some excellent points! One thing I had never thought of is putting my hand up to indicate to a car that I want it to stop. I'm so glad you brought that up! I'm going to do that from now on, even if it doesn't seem like it's necessary. This driver has proven to me that things are not always what they seem!

I do usually take the lane when I'm going that fast. In this case, I was out in the lane probably about 3-4 feet. Many times I have no other choice than to take the lane...most of the roads here don't have shoulders, and the roads are in such terrible condition that typically I need to try and ride out in the lane to avoid potholes and torn up pavement that seem to be more prevalent towards the edge of the road. The best pavement usually seems to be closer to the yellow line...like where your driver's side tire would be in a car. I have a helmet mirror, so I almost always see cars coming up behind me, and then I'll move over.

I like the idea of acting like a tractor. Do they sell John Deere jerseys?