paul1149
Riding with the King
Yesterday was primo riding weather in NY-CT. I was out on the highway, doing fine, minding my business.
I was slightly exceeding the speed limit, slowly passing cars in the right lane, and a Wagoneer was a little behind me. Not too close, but he was there.
After a bit I hit the throttle and sped over to the right lane, to let him pass. He comes aside me and holds. I look over, and with his big ham-hock hand he very aggressively flips me off, then speeds off ahead.
My first reaction was, yes, please, do get out of here, don't let me hold you. Then I felt sorry for the kind of life someone with that level of residual anger would have to live.
But then I considered what I could have done differently. I didn't have a clue this guy was going to be angry. I thought he was going to indicate a running light that was out, or something. But I think the next time this happens, for defensive purposes I'm going to, no questions asked, move to the opposite side of the lane for starters, and then be ready to hit the brake if the guy decides flipping me is not enough and that he wants to run me off the road. Because swerving and braking are a BAD combo. Only then will I look over to see what the issue is.
I suspect that some people get angry at motos because they're jealous. Or maybe some moto was irresponsible to them in the past. But whatever a particular motorist's motivation, when on a bike it pays to ride defensively.
Be blessed,
p.
I was slightly exceeding the speed limit, slowly passing cars in the right lane, and a Wagoneer was a little behind me. Not too close, but he was there.
After a bit I hit the throttle and sped over to the right lane, to let him pass. He comes aside me and holds. I look over, and with his big ham-hock hand he very aggressively flips me off, then speeds off ahead.
My first reaction was, yes, please, do get out of here, don't let me hold you. Then I felt sorry for the kind of life someone with that level of residual anger would have to live.
But then I considered what I could have done differently. I didn't have a clue this guy was going to be angry. I thought he was going to indicate a running light that was out, or something. But I think the next time this happens, for defensive purposes I'm going to, no questions asked, move to the opposite side of the lane for starters, and then be ready to hit the brake if the guy decides flipping me is not enough and that he wants to run me off the road. Because swerving and braking are a BAD combo. Only then will I look over to see what the issue is.
I suspect that some people get angry at motos because they're jealous. Or maybe some moto was irresponsible to them in the past. But whatever a particular motorist's motivation, when on a bike it pays to ride defensively.
Be blessed,
p.