Tension Relieving Responses...

[GLC1968]

I usually just ignore the guy. DH would chase after him and try to start something ...

Honestly, we've run into more "Bubba's" here in Oregon that we did in North Carolina. We just were talking about this yesterday. Where we rode in NC, there were always a few drivers annoyed at us, but in general, it wasn't too bad. Here in Oregon, people seem fairly considerate in town, but get out into the country and we've been stunned by the hatred & violence. It's unreal!

Yesterday we were out riding and a big white pickup gunned their engine, drove way too close while passing us and then swerved to the right in front of us. Since he hadn't given us much room when he passed, his right swerve in front of us actually had him off the road. He barely managed to bring the truck back onto the main road before a huge ditch. I was so hoping that he'd have ended up in the ditch! I would have laughed my a-- off at him!! All in all, there was no reason for his anger. We were the only cyclists, there was no traffic, we were riding single file, and it was easy to pass us (and he didn't have to wait at all). I find their violence alarming.

[Melalvai]

I've been thinking about this in spare moments when I'm not getting mad/upset/freaked out about losing-my-fellowship situation (and I've completely forgotten about the For Sale sign in front of my [rented] house). Here's what I finally came up with.

There's a big difference between how you respond to someone who has harrassed you on the road and is now long gone, and someone who has actually come after you to confront you. The first is frustrating because you don't get a chance to respond, but definitely the best course is ignore it, not react, at the most get a picture or report it, but certainly do not try to chase them down or bother responding at all. I used to have certain responses rehearsed like yelling "cager" or "I love you" just to let out my anger (they can't understand my words any more than I can make out theirs), but now I just flat out ignore everything and make a mental note of a license number. This is as important a skill to develop as, say, coordination or taking the lane. And it doesn't come as easily.

The second is just downright scary. Now, I do want to be an ambassador for cycling. I want these people to ride bikes. Maybe Bubba will never touch a bike (other than to violate someone with it), but I have a suspicion that my former friend, who did grow up in rural Missouri, might have had a touch of Bubba in him, because he kind of dropped a hint once that he may, in a former life, have done his share of cyclist harrassing. So it is possible that Bubba may one day ride a bicycle.

Is there anything we can do to make that day come sooner without risking ourselves? Staying calm would help a lot, if possible. I'm not sure I could. Taking steps to protect ourselves--such as taking pictures--is a priority. After that, using our best judgment, we might consider calmly responding to specific complaints by, for example, pointing out that on page X of the [State] Driver's Handbook, cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of motor vehicles. (That's page 16 of the Missouri Driver's Handbook.)

So, that's my 2 cents.

[Mr. Bloom]

The homicide detective on our Tri-Team said we should have called 911...that really provoked my perspective.

If I swore out a complaint over the threat - he would have known our name/address. Hmmm

As it was, we were anonymous to him, but we had the benefit of his license plate #. Hmmm, that's what I call the "upper hand" as long as he doesn't go homicidal

I think I've reconciled myself to the difference between firmly holding your ground on something and being antagonistic. Holding your ground doesn't escalate a situation, but being antagonistic doesn't.

[OakLeaf]

I saw a relevant sign on a church marquee today. "Pray for those you fear."

[Tuckervill]

You probably wouldn't have had to swear out a complaint. The cops would have come and he probably would have left already, if he's smart. If he's not smart, he might have antagonized the police, too, and then they'd have their own reasons for taking him in, no complaint required on your part.

It is my experience that calling the cops can make things worse--some people see that as aggressive and escalating.

Karen