The daily grind :(

[RJG]

I've come to the sad conclusion that every day I will experience some kind of 'incident' with a motorist, invariably a negative experience, but I remain reticent that cycling is the best way to commute, both for environment, general fitness and peace of mind.

This week alone (and it's only Wednesday), I was nearly hit by a driver at a T-junction. Despite the fact he veered onto my side of the road and nearly broke my legs, I was on the receiving end of a torrent of abuse. "You f***ing c**t" was the nice middle-ager's reaction, as he leaned out of his tired Vectra window. Naturally I reacted and explained he nearly killed me, but this only served to escalate the spitfest to "You f***ing c**t, watch where you're going! Rah rah rah". I was stationary, so not going anywhere.

This morning I was turning right out of a T-junction onto a main road and a motorist behind me (an Audi A3 I recall) pulled up to the side and the driver looked ANGRY. I said to him "Go on mate, you go first" and his seething face said nothing as he swung his rep-mobile around me and farted off into the distance.

On the way home this evening (Wednesday), on a narrow two-way street, with enough room for car/bike harmony, a driver approaching me (in a knackered old Corsa - I love Corsa drivers) was quite happy to nearly clip me in order to impress his bling-ridden missus in the passenger seat. "F***ing idiot" he shouted as he passed. I didn't retaliate as it was right outside my flat, but it was enough for me to kick the theoretical cat as I got in.

Sorry readers, for such a negative first post but my missus is thoroughly bored with my post-commute grumblings so it would be good to hear from other re-cyclists that I'm not alone out there in the big bad world of the daily journey to work.

 

[markharry66]

I have weeks where nothing happens. Then it all comes at once. Best to ignore it and move on.
No point trying to educate drivers they are always in the right. Stay silent ignore and move on.
Daily close passes, pinch point over takes, twats all them. Just be glad you only get to see their driving once.
Their poor partners, friends, relatives have to put up with for life time.

 

[User19783]

^^^^^^ agreed with everything said above .
Btw

 

[summerdays]

Try smiling at them - you get smiles back from lots of drivers and they often let you go, and the ones that are irritated anyway are left wondering why you aren't.

You can't avoid all agro obviously, but I think different cyclists can have the same journey and yet a very different experience. I find when I hang onto a bad incident in my mind it then affects the reminder of the journey, whereas just just need to let go of it and move on. Then come on here and moan in the commuting thread!

 

[mustang1]

Welcome aboard and its great to get something off your mind!

I usually don't have any problems but occasionally will get a close pass or a honk. Last week for example I got two close passes and a honk from a scaffold truck driver who thought I was in his way (well, I guess I was, but I also had the right to be there). I noticed also the kids are on holiday so there's less traffic and its moving a little faster during the morning commute. Perhaps it deludes drivers into thinking theyre making good progress and don't want a pesky cyclist in their way.

 

[mustang1]

Try smiling at them - you get smiles back from lots of drivers and they often let you go, and the ones that are irritated anyway are left wondering why you aren't.

You can't avoid all agro obviously, but I think different cyclists can have the same journey and yet a very different experience. I find when I hang onto a bad incident in my mind it then affects the reminder of the journey, whereas just just need to let go of it and move on. Then come on here and moan in the commuting thread!

That is so Zen yo! (And I agree).

 

[Hip Priest]

I'm glad to say I don't experience incidents like that every day. Like @markharry66 I'll go weeks without any issues, then have a few incidents at once. The best way to deal with such incidents is to keep your cool. It's not always easy, but if they're angry and you stay chilled, you win.

 

[Dan B]

The best way to deal with such incidents is

to follow them home, pour superglue in their front door lock then set fire to their car

 

[ianrauk]

Speak to @Simontm , you can compare daily numpty quotas. He has a similar amount of interactions every day as you by the looks of things.

As what others have said. Try not to let it bother you. Certainly don't dwell on it or it will only drive you (and your wife) bonkers. Just enjoy the cycling, that you're out on your bike rather then sitting in a metal cage going nowhere getting angry and fat.

 

[Simontm]

Speak to @Simontm , you can compare daily numpty quotas. He has a similar amount of interactions every day as you by the looks of things.

As what others have said. Try not to let it bother you. Certainly don't dwell on it or it will only drive you (and your wife) bonkers. Just enjoy the cycling, that you're out on your bike rather then sitting in a metal cage going nowhere getting angry and fat.

The funny thing is that after a year of this route, I kind of know where it is going to happen now. There seems to be zones where triggers certain drivers into having to act like idiots - South Road in particular
But as I said before, when compared to the actual number of vehicles on the route, it's minuscule.
Like @ianrauk says, try not to let it bother you. In fact, enjoy the extra energy the adrenalin and outrage gives you - I'm sure some of the rush hour PBs are down to that

 

[martint235]

And breathe. Thankfully I don't get many incidents any more although I currently do have my pet stupid person in a Fiat for the last two days. I'm going to take her photo on Monday, that should provoke some conversation

I do miss cycling down the Old Kent Road on a daily basis. It's so wide and fast that no one ever really bothered me, now on side roads into Croydon there is more potential for aggro. However like simontm, I know where it's going to happen now so it's primary all the way. In fact if anything on one stretch of my commute, there's parked cars and then a whole lane. Assuming I've not seen anyone moving around the car, I'll make myself as small as I can to allow people past but I always seem to get the ones who won't pass me!!! I feel like turning round and shouting "for feck's sake just overtake!!! I'm making room for you!!"

 

[RJG]

Thanks for all your replies. Yes of course this doesn't happen on a daily basis...just been 'one of those weeks'. I never retaliate usually...as someone said here ...just smile and cycle on. On my route in South Manchester, the buses are probably the most considerate, although I don't cycle down Wilmslow Rd often (Curry Mile)...now that is horrendous for a number of reasons.

 

[Origamist]

As someone who also cycles through S Manchester, I know where you are coming from. However, I'd try to vary your route as a much as possible and accentuate the positive. I only tell my partner interesting or amusing stories. Finally, I'm a much happier person for riding a bike (public transport turns me into an impatient and tetchy twat) and I've accepted that the odd, idiot road user comes with the territory.

 

[simon the viking]

I just swear under my breath and forget about it 5 minutes down the road.... I did experiment with a helmet cam but the odd thing that happened didn't make it worthwhile and it made me dwell on it by watching it again......

But yes sometimes 2 or 3 things happen within days that make me whince

 

[RJG]

As someone who also cycles through S Manchester, I know where you are coming from. However, I'd try to vary your route as a much as possible and accentuate the positive. I only tell my partner interesting or amusing stories. Finally, I'm a much happier person for riding a bike (public transport turns me into an impatient and tetchy twat) and I've accepted that the odd, idiot road user comes with the territory.

Chorlton, then across the Parkway at the Brewery to University. Not many variations that way and I do like the routine. I know the trouble hotspots and know each and every pothole in the road like the back of my hand.
Which way do you go?