How to deal with inner bike rage??!!

[XmisterIS]

When I'm in my car and someone cuts me up or drives aggressively or inconsiderately, I just let it go and don't feel very wound up about it any more.

When the same thing happens to me when I'm on my bicycle or motorbike, I usually tend to keep my cool (don't want to make a bad situation worse!), but inside I am raging! My feelings of anger can make my journey a lot less pleasant than it could be.

What strategies do you people use for actually feeling cool, calm and collected as well as acting that way in the face of some boorish barry-boy who just wants to cut you up and beep at you for the hell of it or because they have zero patience or tollerance and their whole atitude to the world is all about me me me me me?

I'm asking because although I no longer react (i.e. sinking to their level), it would be soooo nice to be able to change the feelings I get so that I enjoy my ride so much more!

EDIT: It would be just glorious to be able to go on a ride once just once and not meet any barry-boys hell bent on not letting me mind my own business ... but that is not going to happen at rush-hour in a city!

 

[BentMikey]

When someone else behaves badly, you're onto a winner by not swearing/shouting/otherwise remaining calm. So hard to do in practice though. I failed yesterday with a stupid overtake, video coming...

Also try to do an extra nice thing as soon as possible to another road user, such as letting someone out, or thanking some good driving. I read this tip on C+ years ago, and it makes a huge difference to how good I feel.

 

[Armegatron]

I struggle with red mist too. Im trying my hardest to keep calm but its not going well. Yesterday I had someone who squeezed past me, braked and then swerved infront. So I changed my route and shouted abuse at him. On turning around and realising that I should have kept calm and had achieved nothing I spotted a bloke who cut me up very badly in January, so I gave him some abuse too.

I think the reason for my red mist is that Im stressed at work so Im probably venting on the public who drive like nutters.

Im taking the day off on Thursday so Im going to make a massive effort to keep calm (plus Ill be with the mrs who is new to cycling and dont want to scare her too much ).

 

[arallsopp]

When someone else behaves badly, you're onto a winner by not swearing/shouting/otherwise remaining calm. So hard to do in practice though. I failed yesterday with a stupid overtake, video coming...

Your problem, Mikey, if you don't mind me saying, is that you seem to think you're entitled to use the road on that funny not-quite-bike-thing of yours. I mean, everyone knows the motons pay plenty of good money to reserve the coveted 'last car in the queue' spot at lights, but you just insist on putting your bike there. You should be on the pavement, or better, in a gym like a real cyclist.

 

[Moodyman]

Take it out on the bike - i.e. pedal harder / faster to release the built up tension.

Also, rejoice in that you're likely to be healthier and fitter than the motoring lard.

PS - I accept there's no nothing I can do about about bad driving, but as Mikey said, I can thank good driving. I always put my hand up to a considerate driver. Soon - others drivers will notice this appreciation and will follow suit.

In over 8 months of commuting, I've only had one instance of cycle rage where some guy beeped. It startled me at the time, but restrospectively, I think he was making me aware of his presence, so no harm done.

 

[HobbesChoice]

Letting it out on my legs works well for me too!!! If I'm really upset I still have to mutter the words I want to shout just to get them out!

 

[MacB]

laughing out loud helps, feels weird and strained at first but, after a few goes, you do actually reach genuine laughter.

 

[Dayvo]

I also can quickly see the red mist, but living where I have for many years (Scandinavia) I (un)fortunately don't experience the kind of morons you lot do in the UK!

Whilst raging inside, I try and appear calm and shake my head in a patronising disaproving way, give a sarcastic round of applause, or if I'm lucky, give the 'w@nker' hand sign - but no-one here knows what it means!

 

[jonny jeez]

When I get cut up I tend to do the same thing every time, I say (out loud..but not loudly) "thanks then!" followed by, "you have a good day now".

they dont hear me, but I generally find that a light hearted comment (out loud ...but to myself) removes the angst a little.

In really bad situations I'll still get off the bike and square up to anyone, but in reality this happens very, very rarely, like once a year (for me at most).

Also, if I catch up the offending car (which is often), I now make a point of not reacting to them, or even appearing fazed or angry. I've sometimes been cut up, then caught up and had reason to take primary position or some such , so have had the opportunity of thanking the driver very visably and very calmly without a hint of sarcasm.

it all helps to make me feel somehow "free-er" to a driver like that and elevate me from their position of entrapment and rage, rather than letting them drag me down into a fight.

all of the above is far easier in the spring/summer as it really is a joy to be on a bike at these times and you can feel drivers wishing they could join you, so staying "superior" is simpler. In the winter however, I often envy the warm, windless comfort of a car seat.

Hmmmmm car seats

 

[jonny jeez]

I also can quickly see the red mist, but living where I have for many years (Scandinavia) I (un)fortunately don't experience the kind of morons you lot do in the UK!

Whilst raging inside, I try and appear calm and shake my head in a patronising disaproving way, give a sarcastic round of applause, or if I'm lucky, give the 'w@nker' hand sign - but no-one here knows what it means!

you see, those last two actions would most likley get you shot in London, Scandinavian's sound way too cool

 

[Nigel-YZ1]

I've just bought 'Meditation for Dummies'.

I'll let you know if it works.

 

[Norm]

... or if I'm lucky, give the 'w@nker' hand sign - but no-one here knows what it means!

you see, those last two actions would most likley get you shot in London, Scandinavian's sound way too cool

Putting those two together, is there a Scandinavian equivalent to the tosser signal which wouldn't be known to those compatriots from the shallow end of the gene pool.

 

[jonny jeez]

Putting those two together, is there a Scandinavian equivalent to the tosser signal which wouldn't be known to those compatriots from the shallow end of the gene pool.

Norm...I like your thinking!!

but hey, forget the scandinavians, lets just invent our own

GENIUS!

 

[Norm]

Norm...I like your thinking!!

but hey, forget the scandinavians, lets just invent our own

GENIUS!

 

[HLaB]

I try to have self control but just when I think I've mastered it, I encounter some particular piece of cr@p driving or even worse the driver launches a verbal assault on me and I just explode.