Fistful of steel
Once and awhile I need people to just be human. Yesterday I needed some room for a lane change, and I got the sound of an accelerating engine and a blast on the horn. It should end there, but I am dumb. As he zoomed past I looked over to check for any further information that the driver might have wanted to convey. The big maroon SUV’s window rolled down, and I got the finger and some expletives which were intended to explain his anger. I returned with a volley of filth hoping to convey my feelings about the situation. In the world of winning and losing I know how the situation will end everytime. He wins.
Why did he win? Because I let him get to me. I should have never looked over, and I should have never said a word. Did I think I was going to change how he felt about the situation? About cyclists’ rights? About my safety? About his mother? Looking back now I realize I just helped fill the big happy pool of anger we all swim in.
It’s my fault. I slipped into a funk yesterday, and I didn’t get out in time. When that man decided he wanted to be a part of my day I was ready to let off some steam. I took out my unhappiness on him. Neither of us were really in the right, nobody’s life was in danger, and nobody got hurt. Not a reason to piss on someone’s parade for sure. I wish I could apologize for my behavior. My actions were pointless, and in the end my anger only hurt me. I need to save all that extra energy for next season.
“Calm down buddy, or I’m gonna kick your ass.”
Hey dicky, don’t be so hard on yourself. While I agree with your sentiments here, I have been caught up in similar situations, being a bicycle commuter and all.
Look, when your life is on the line because three tons of plastic, steel, and rubber are bearing down at you at the hands of some non-thinking, selfish, and willfull humanoid, you can and should expect to be a bit emotional.
It’s just one more step to attain to in the training of a Viking!
It happens… sometimes you do what yah gotta do and if you had it to do over again you would change it but what is done is done….
Don’t worry be happy
On a side note, while watching some boob tube program last night (some law show) they had a scene with a bike messenger riding down stairs and jumping off ledges on his full suspension bike messenger bike. I laughed hard.
Jonathon ,
What’s so funny? That sounds like my typical day.
Correct me if I am wrong but I figured you rode a fixie or single speed around town. I haven’t ever really imagined a messenger on a full squish doing stunts while delivering messages. Seems sort of contradictory. Do you have “squishy messengers?”
Jonathon ,
No full time squishies. Back in our “big bike” days we did bring them to work on occasion. Nothing like hucking on “The Man’s” time.
Be careful out there! Love … Mom
Dude wtf is your email?
email me please
I find a simple “thanks fat ass!” said with a smile does more to piss off drivers than anything else I’ve used. and it works in every situation!