I wish I could of gotten a license plate number

[Crankin]

About 4 years ago I got hit by a young teen who threw an egg at us as we were riding in Acton! They were crouching behind a short stone wall on their property. I didn't know what it was, so we stopped and rode back to the scene and found the remains of the egg shell. We rang the doorbell, but the kids were scared, so didn't answer. So I looked in the mailbox and found out the name of the family. I should have called the police, but I didn't. Now it's an unusual name; I won't say it, but I know that part of this family owns a used car dealership near here. About a month later I was at the pharmacy and parked next to a car that had the same name on their vanity license plate. So, I left a note on the car. I signed my name and the woman called me. It turned out it was her brother-in-law's kids who were giving him a hard time after a divorce. She thanked me profusely for relating the incident and the kids had to apologize to me.
That's why I love living in a small town. The woman recognized my name from being on the school council at the regional HS (This happened when I lived in Boxborough).

[martinkap]

My friend (war veteran) got sprayed by fire extinguisher as he was riding his bike. A powerful, full of chemicals blow into his face. He caught the car on the next intersection and put his set of keys next to the front of the car as he started to call 911. The teenagers in the car had a choice - drive a way and suffer long key scratches along the car or stay on the spot. It was an expensive car, they stayed on the spot until police showed up.

There were some charges and some compensations for my friend. I think he had to go to the hospital due to the kind of chemicals in that particular fire extinguisher they used.

I thought that the 'keys' trick was quite clever.

Martina

[aicabsolut]

Honestly, on some of these really hot days, I long to see a person wielding a garden hose or super soaker when i'm out for a ride . I've even asked someone to hit me with a hose as I went by. The guy was rinsing off the sidewalk outside of his business, and he said, "What? Really?" "YES!!" "ok..."

But I do see your point. I wouldn't want to be spit on or have anything thrown at me, especially the latter. I've heard of people getting hit with bottles and all sorts of things. Stuff like that can cause a wreck (maybe it knocks you off balance, maybe the thing goes in your spokes...). In traffic at speed.

[bmccasland]

Yesterday I was wishing for a sprinkler to ride through.

It's one thing to ask someone to hose you down, it's another when done with malice. I do like the key trick.

[TahoeDirtGirl]

The other thing that I think is really dangerous is when people come up next to you or right behind you and lay on the horn. I had this happen yesterday. It doesn't happen that often, in fact, this was the first time in over 500 miles on the new commuter bike. I don't know what they were honking at, I was as far over as I could be. AND it was a 4 lane road. I dunno bout you but when a horn gets blasted I go a little off kilter. What worries me is if it happens when you are hitting a sandy spot or something you need to concentrate on keeping upright.

I have thought about getting a side mirror but I think that might make me more nervous.

[SouthernBelle]

Sometimes I think people honk and think they are doing a good thing by letting you know they are behind you and about to pass.