BIKE: WAS: Road Rage NOW: Details

[Grant, Jon]

Mike Librik wrote:

> A tip of the styrofoam topper to this Bob Grant guy.
> 
Thanks, Mike. And it's Jon, BTW.

> snip<
 
>> a car driver behind me aggressively pulled around and hit his
>> brakes, coming to a sudden, complete stop right in front of me. I was
>> puzzled by the move, as I had been riding at the right curb, as straight as
>> I could manage.
> 
> Mr. Grant was probably not riding all the way over at the curb,

Actually, that's true; I chose a bit of shorthand here lest readers' eyes
glaze over. In this forum, I will tell you that I was not literally "at the
curb," but I was specifically riding in the right-hand car track -- just to
the right of the oil and grease -- which, in my experience, is far enough
left that cars will change lanes to pass me, and far enough right to give
drivers the impression that I know my place. And I know how to hold my line.
The driver told the cops that I was "weaving and taking up the whole lane"
-- an exaggeration at the very least.

> Note also that one can pick up on subtle clues to such psychotic behavior in
> motorists by watching them in one's mirror. Big dangers can come up from
> behind, and it is good to have them under observation.

>snip<
 
> Having a properly positioned and non-vibrating mirror will not only let you
> keep an eye on the hot-heads, but allows enough interaction with them to keep
> them from becoming quite so hot.
> Sorry to keep returning to this point about the mirrors,

Mike, you join others in making a good point about mirrors. As much as I
love riding, I'm sometimes a bit frustrated over the specialized (small "s")
equipment I've amassed over the decades. But I suspect I'll buy a mirror
soon.

Thanks to all for your kind words and good advice. I think I'm gonna like it
here!

-- Jon Grant