Good Drivers

[redrhodie]

Today, there was a lady in a mini van stopped at a stop sign, trying to turn out onto the road I was riding on. In my shadow, I looked like George Hincapie (all long and tall, which I am not), which made me think, hmmmm...the sun's right behind me, this woman probably can't see me because of the glare. Also, I can see her face, and part of her car is blocking her eyes, so now I'm sure I'm aso in her blind spot.

She starts forward, which means if she keeps going, I'm getting broadsided. I do my trick of yelling LOUD (not sure what comes out, some kind of "woah"), and she tilts her head back so she can now see me, smiles, and gives me a wave. So nice. I think she was glad she didn't squish me

[Geonz]

Bet she is, too.

I get drivers every day who *could* have right-hooked me but hang back. (I do think lane position has a **LOT** to do with this, but I'm not going to hug the line and find out!)

[Trigress]

I've just posted a bad driver thread, so I'll add something here, too. On the same trip yesterday there was a lady who blew her horn as a thanks because I waved her past us when she couldn't see. I think we always get a friendly wave or honk every time it's very clear to the driver that we are trying to help. On Thursday we were out riding and a car was waiting behind us to pass. He couldn't see much, but due to the long peloton we saw that everything was clear, so we waved him past us - the front rider clearly sprinted forwards to check the road and then waved back. We got a friendly honk back.

Most drivers are really nice, but the rest of them are so dangerous - I sometimes get most of the cardiac training from being freaked out by mad drivers!