adrenaline road rage

[dreaded]

it was hot today. 95 degrees in the shade in seattle is a rare thing indeed.
the asphalt street is slick from heat and no shade at the stoplights.
commuting through downtown with a full pack and overheating i concentrate
and take my lane -downtown there are no vehicles faster than mine- and some
motorist races by about two feet to my left laying on the horn just as he
passes. a fuse blew, maybe a small aneurism ocurred, the radiator in my head
blew it's cap. i reacted readying myself for rolling over a car as he passed
laughing. then with nothing to crash into and an adrenalin glut the finger
goes up and obscenities roll. i followed up to the stop. two tough looking
guys, windows down i yelled "what the f*** are you doing?". he said "i was
just messing with you man". i said something about if he wanted to see me
get killed that's a good way to do it. i think it was the heat, but really i
could have gone down just in the reaction to being startled like that. damn
it's hard to just be defensive sometimes! why do people always pull crap
like that in groups?
-a

[Fx199]

>Subject: adrenaline road rage
>From: "dreaded"
>Date: 7/24/2004 10:26 PM US Eastern Standard Time
>Message-id: >
>
>it was hot today. 95 degrees in the shade in seattle is a rare thing indeed.
>the asphalt street is slick from heat and no shade at the stoplights.
>commuting through downtown with a full pack and overheating i concentrate
>and take my lane -downtown there are no vehicles faster than mine- and some
>motorist races by about two feet to my left laying on the horn just as he
>passes. a fuse blew, maybe a small aneurism ocurred, the radiator in my head
>blew it's cap. i reacted readying myself for rolling over a car as he passed
>laughing. then with nothing to crash into and an adrenalin glut the finger
>goes up and obscenities roll. i followed up to the stop. two tough looking
>guys, windows down i yelled "what the f*** are you doing?". he said "i was
>just messing with you man". i said something about if he wanted to see me
>get killed that's a good way to do it. i think it was the heat, but really i
>could have gone down just in the reaction to being startled like that. damn
>it's hard to just be defensive sometimes! why do people always pull crap
>like that in groups?
>-a
>

Yep, they're usually not alone, I've noticed that....

[curt]

:( I always heard Washington was one of the best bicycle states as far as
friendly people go. That bums me out to hear about crap like that out you
way. It is expected in the North East US with how aggressive we are over
here. :(

Curt


"dreaded" > wrote in message
...
> it was hot today. 95 degrees in the shade in seattle is a rare thing
indeed.
> the asphalt street is slick from heat and no shade at the stoplights.
> commuting through downtown with a full pack and overheating i concentrate
> and take my lane -downtown there are no vehicles faster than mine- and
some
> motorist races by about two feet to my left laying on the horn just as he
> passes. a fuse blew, maybe a small aneurism ocurred, the radiator in my
head
> blew it's cap. i reacted readying myself for rolling over a car as he
passed
> laughing. then with nothing to crash into and an adrenalin glut the finger
> goes up and obscenities roll. i followed up to the stop. two tough looking
> guys, windows down i yelled "what the f*** are you doing?". he said "i was
> just messing with you man". i said something about if he wanted to see me
> get killed that's a good way to do it. i think it was the heat, but really
i
> could have gone down just in the reaction to being startled like that.
damn
> it's hard to just be defensive sometimes! why do people always pull crap
> like that in groups?
> -a
>
>

[the black rose]

curt wrote:
> :( I always heard Washington was one of the best bicycle states as far as
> friendly people go. That bums me out to hear about crap like that out you
> way. It is expected in the North East US with how aggressive we are over
> here. :(

The part of NY I live in isn't bad. My husband and I rode for over an
hour yesterday on a road that goes straight through the middle of town;
we only got honked at once (by someone in a pickup truck, gee, what a
surprise), and the guy who yelled at me was asking if I knew where the
Home Depot was. But I have to admit, it's a marked county bike route,
and cyclists are a common sight.

-km

--
the black rose
GO LANCE GO!!!
proud to be owned by a yorkie
http://community.webshots.com/user/blackrosequilts

[Chris Zacho The Wheelman]

From: (curt)

>:( I always heard Washington was one of
>the best bicycle states as far as friendly
>people go. That bums me out to hear
>about crap like that out you way. It is
>expected in the North East US with how
>aggressive we are over here. :(

>Curt

I don't live in a big city any more (Thank the biking gods!), and maybe
that's the main difference. But I got honked at yesterday on a metric
century, and as best as I can figure, it's the fourth horn I've heard
honked in anger since moving here in 2001...

- -

"May you have the wind at your back.
And a really low gear for the hills!"

Chris Zacho ~ "Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"

Chris'Z Corner
http://www.geocities.com/czcorner

[dreaded]

i like it here but seattle is full of posers. there's this kind of
superficial friendliness/passive agressiveness that dominates (i think
that's part of why nobody ever messes with me unless they're in a group!). i
think that on the east coast people are more blunt but also, in a way more
honest. i get yelled at almost every day here. usually i cant hear what they
say and dont care, sometimes it's funny, but most of the time it's some
drunken imbecile. it's usually younger people probably raised by the tv. i
never have any prob with the homeless and beggars and it's 95% suburban
youth giving me trouble (my commute takes me through suburbs and inner
city).
-alan


"curt" > wrote in message
news:E%FMc.2054$zf3.1196@trndny03...
> :( I always heard Washington was one of the best bicycle states as far as
> friendly people go. That bums me out to hear about crap like that out you
> way. It is expected in the North East US with how aggressive we are over
> here. :(
>
> Curt
>
>
> "dreaded" > wrote in message
> ...
> > it was hot today. 95 degrees in the shade in seattle is a rare thing
> indeed.
> > the asphalt street is slick from heat and no shade at the stoplights.
> > commuting through downtown with a full pack and overheating i
concentrate
> > and take my lane -downtown there are no vehicles faster than mine- and
> some
> > motorist races by about two feet to my left laying on the horn just as
he
> > passes. a fuse blew, maybe a small aneurism ocurred, the radiator in my
> head
> > blew it's cap. i reacted readying myself for rolling over a car as he
> passed
> > laughing. then with nothing to crash into and an adrenalin glut the
finger
> > goes up and obscenities roll. i followed up to the stop. two tough
looking
> > guys, windows down i yelled "what the f*** are you doing?". he said "i
was
> > just messing with you man". i said something about if he wanted to see
me
> > get killed that's a good way to do it. i think it was the heat, but
really
> i
> > could have gone down just in the reaction to being startled like that.
> damn
> > it's hard to just be defensive sometimes! why do people always pull crap
> > like that in groups?
> > -a
> >
> >
>
>

[Steve-o]

On Sun, 25 Jul 2004 03:43:32 GMT, "curt" > wrote:

>:( I always heard Washington was one of the best bicycle states as far as
>friendly people go. That bums me out to hear about crap like that out you
>way. It is expected in the North East US with how aggressive we are over
>here. :(

The friendliness factor has dropped considerably as more and more
people have moved here from elsewhere. People have brought with them
aggressive, competitive attitudes whence they came; and as the
population density increases the stress rises for everybody,
especially in traffic. It doesn't help that Seattle is not known for
its progressive transportation planning, so there is usually something
for everybody -- bicyclists, SOVs, bus riders, etc -- to be irritated
about.

Maybe in this regard Seattle is no different than other US cities its
size, but it certainly has declined over the years.

My US$.02.
Steve

[curt]

"the black rose" > wrote in message
...
> curt wrote:
> > :( I always heard Washington was one of the best bicycle states as far
as
> > friendly people go. That bums me out to hear about crap like that out
you
> > way. It is expected in the North East US with how aggressive we are
over
> > here. :(
>
> The part of NY I live in isn't bad. My husband and I rode for over an
> hour yesterday on a road that goes straight through the middle of town;
> we only got honked at once (by someone in a pickup truck, gee, what a
> surprise), and the guy who yelled at me was asking if I knew where the
> Home Depot was. But I have to admit, it's a marked county bike route,
> and cyclists are a common sight.
>
> -km

Pick-up truck... that does figure. I wonder where the best area in the US
to ride a bicycle is? It is probably hard to find many places that are
really nice anymore. I know the inland areas of Florida are terrible. That
is down right dangerous. Here in Pittsburgh, it is okay I guess. I get
mostly people passing really close and cutting me off. Not too many horns.
I have a feeling I will have a big encounter at some point. I don't take
much crap from people and in the heat of a moment it can be a bad situation.
I have been thinking of carrying a gun just in case. I live in the city and
have to travel through some pretty bad areas to get anywhere.

Curt

[curt]

"dreaded" > wrote in message
...
> i like it here but seattle is full of posers. there's this kind of
> superficial friendliness/passive agressiveness that dominates (i think
> that's part of why nobody ever messes with me unless they're in a group!).
i
> think that on the east coast people are more blunt but also, in a way more
> honest. i get yelled at almost every day here. usually i cant hear what
they
> say and dont care, sometimes it's funny, but most of the time it's some
> drunken imbecile. it's usually younger people probably raised by the tv. i
> never have any prob with the homeless and beggars and it's 95% suburban
> youth giving me trouble (my commute takes me through suburbs and inner
> city).
> -alan
>

Interesting. Posers. I guess the country is just getting too small really
and pretty soon it will be all the same, or so it seeems. I hope not, but
it is looking that way. Too many people I guess.

Curt


>
> "curt" > wrote in message
> news:E%FMc.2054$zf3.1196@trndny03...
> > :( I always heard Washington was one of the best bicycle states as far
as
> > friendly people go. That bums me out to hear about crap like that out
you
> > way. It is expected in the North East US with how aggressive we are
over
> > here. :(
> >
> > Curt
> >
> >
> > "dreaded" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > it was hot today. 95 degrees in the shade in seattle is a rare thing
> > indeed.
> > > the asphalt street is slick from heat and no shade at the stoplights.
> > > commuting through downtown with a full pack and overheating i
> concentrate
> > > and take my lane -downtown there are no vehicles faster than mine- and
> > some
> > > motorist races by about two feet to my left laying on the horn just as
> he
> > > passes. a fuse blew, maybe a small aneurism ocurred, the radiator in
my
> > head
> > > blew it's cap. i reacted readying myself for rolling over a car as he
> > passed
> > > laughing. then with nothing to crash into and an adrenalin glut the
> finger
> > > goes up and obscenities roll. i followed up to the stop. two tough
> looking
> > > guys, windows down i yelled "what the f*** are you doing?". he said "i
> was
> > > just messing with you man". i said something about if he wanted to see
> me
> > > get killed that's a good way to do it. i think it was the heat, but
> really
> > i
> > > could have gone down just in the reaction to being startled like that.
> > damn
> > > it's hard to just be defensive sometimes! why do people always pull
crap
> > > like that in groups?
> > > -a
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

[curt]

"Steve-o" > wrote in message
...
> On Sun, 25 Jul 2004 03:43:32 GMT, "curt" > wrote:
>
> >:( I always heard Washington was one of the best bicycle states as far
as
> >friendly people go. That bums me out to hear about crap like that out
you
> >way. It is expected in the North East US with how aggressive we are over
> >here. :(
>
> The friendliness factor has dropped considerably as more and more
> people have moved here from elsewhere. People have brought with them
> aggressive, competitive attitudes whence they came; and as the
> population density increases the stress rises for everybody,
> especially in traffic. It doesn't help that Seattle is not known for
> its progressive transportation planning, so there is usually something
> for everybody -- bicyclists, SOVs, bus riders, etc -- to be irritated
> about.
>
> Maybe in this regard Seattle is no different than other US cities its
> size, but it certainly has declined over the years.
>
> My US$.02.
> Steve

That is sad to hear. I was reading a book called "Miles From Nowhere" and
it was written in the 70's. They were saying Washington State was
outstanding for bicycling and people were so nice and patient. I guess it
is the sign of the times.

Curt

[dreaded]

"curt" > wrote in message
news:5GjNc.7736$zf3.1345@trndny03...
>
> "Steve-o" > wrote in message
> ...
> > On Sun, 25 Jul 2004 03:43:32 GMT, "curt" > wrote:
> >
> > >:( I always heard Washington was one of the best bicycle states as far
> as
> > >friendly people go. That bums me out to hear about crap like that out
> you
> > >way. It is expected in the North East US with how aggressive we are
over
> > >here. :(
> >
> > The friendliness factor has dropped considerably as more and more
> > people have moved here from elsewhere. People have brought with them
> > aggressive, competitive attitudes whence they came; and as the
> > population density increases the stress rises for everybody,
> > especially in traffic. It doesn't help that Seattle is not known for
> > its progressive transportation planning, so there is usually something
> > for everybody -- bicyclists, SOVs, bus riders, etc -- to be irritated
> > about.
> >
> > Maybe in this regard Seattle is no different than other US cities its
> > size, but it certainly has declined over the years.
> >
> > My US$.02.
> > Steve
>
> That is sad to hear. I was reading a book called "Miles From Nowhere" and
> it was written in the 70's. They were saying Washington State was
> outstanding for bicycling and people were so nice and patient. I guess it
> is the sign of the times.
>
> Curt
>
>
Ya, y'know when i moved here in '92 i was cycling a lot more. it was
definitely better then, although i do remember getting a "bicycle route map"
from a lbs that had colored streets that were designated routes. i found
most of these routes were just regular narrow two-way seattle streets with
just enough room for a single vehicle (bike or car) and bicycle signs every
mile or so which has no effect on the drivers. all in all though it's a
great place to ride just because of the cool weather and the mountains,
hills and islands.

[Steve-o]

I wrote:

>> > The friendliness factor has dropped considerably as more and more
>> > people have moved here from elsewhere.
>> > [A]nd as the
>> > population density increases the stress rises for everybody,

then dreaded wrote:

>Ya, y'know when i moved here in '92....

ACK! You're part of the problem, dude.

(90% kidding)

Curious:
Where did you move from?
What brought you here? Music? Software?

[Steve-o]

On Tue, 27 Jul 2004 03:07:45 GMT, "curt" > wrote:

>That is sad to hear. I was reading a book called "Miles From Nowhere" and
>it was written in the 70's. They were saying Washington State was
>outstanding for bicycling and people were so nice and patient.

OMG, Seattle *was* Miles From Nowhere in the '70s. A lot has changed
in 30 years.

[Peter Cole]

"Steve-o" > wrote in message
...
> On Tue, 27 Jul 2004 03:07:45 GMT, "curt" > wrote:
>
> >That is sad to hear. I was reading a book called "Miles From Nowhere" and
> >it was written in the 70's. They were saying Washington State was
> >outstanding for bicycling and people were so nice and patient.
>
> OMG, Seattle *was* Miles From Nowhere in the '70s. A lot has changed
> in 30 years.

Barbara Savage, the author of "Miles from Nowhere", was killed near Santa
Barbara CA, in a bike/truck collision shortly before the book was printed.

Having ridden a bunch 30 years ago myself, I can tell you it was no picnic
then, either.

[BanditManDan]

curt Wrote:
> Pick-up truck... that does figure. I wonder where the best area in the
> US
> to ride a bicycle is? It is probably hard to find many places that
> are
> really nice anymore. I know the inland areas of Florida are terrible.
> That
> is down right dangerous. Here in Pittsburgh, it is okay I guess. I
> get
> mostly people passing really close and cutting me off. Not too many
> horns.
> I have a feeling I will have a big encounter at some point. I don't
> take
> much crap from people and in the heat of a moment it can be a bad
> situation.
> I have been thinking of carrying a gun just in case. I live in the
> city and
> have to travel through some pretty bad areas to get anywhere.
>
> Curt
Hmm, I live in central Florida and I've never considered carrying a
gun. Actually central Florida isn't that bad, but I do get the
occational honk/yelling too. From the sounds of things its the same
everywhere.

Dan.


--
BanditManDan

[Claire Petersky]

"Steve-o" > wrote in message
...
>
> someone wrote:
>
> >> > The friendliness factor has dropped considerably as more and more
> >> > people have moved here from elsewhere.
> >> > [A]nd as the
> >> > population density increases the stress rises for everybody,
>
> then dreaded wrote:
>
> >Ya, y'know when i moved here in '92....

My great grandfather moved here just before you, in '90; great-grandma came
out a bit later, in '94.

> ACK! You're part of the problem, dude.

That's probably what the Indians said when my grandfather arrived.

> What brought you here? Music? Software?

I can tell you, it wasn't music or software that brought my great
grandparents out here.


--
Warm Regards,

Claire Petersky
please substitute yahoo for mousepotato to reply
Home of the meditative cyclist:
http://home.earthlink.net/~cpetersky/Welcome.htm
Personal page: http://www.geocities.com/cpetersky/
See the books I've set free at: http://bookcrossing.com/referral/Cpetersky

[Tom Keats]

In article <2DjNc.865$Yp1.46@trndny06>,
"curt" > writes:

>> The part of NY I live in isn't bad. My husband and I rode for over an
>> hour yesterday on a road that goes straight through the middle of town;
>> we only got honked at once (by someone in a pickup truck, gee, what a
>> surprise), and the guy who yelled at me was asking if I knew where the
>> Home Depot was. But I have to admit, it's a marked county bike route,
>> and cyclists are a common sight.
>>
>> -km
>
> Pick-up truck... that does figure.

Lately I've been noticing a lot of attitude coming from
drivers of fancy, customized/accessorized, glossy _black_
pickup trucks. The trucks don't like they've done an inch of
real work in their lives. Sometimes, but not always, they're
slightly low-ridered. I've learnt to look out for them.
I guess London has its infamous White Vans; Vancouver BC
has its black pickup trucks.


cheers,
Tom

--
-- Powered by FreeBSD
Above address is just a spam midden.
I'm really at: tkeats [curlicue] vcn [point] bc [point] ca

[Steve-o]

On Tue, 27 Jul 2004 23:13:43 GMT, "Claire Petersky"
> wrote:

>My great grandfather moved here just before you, in '90; great-grandma came
>out a bit later, in '94.

Not sure when my Greats moved here, but my grandmother was born here
in '09. No word on what the cycling was like at that time.


>> ACK! You're part of the problem, dude.
>
>That's probably what the Indians said when my grandfather arrived.

Very likely, except perhaps the "ACK" and "dude" bits.

[the black rose]

Tom Keats wrote:
> In article <2DjNc.865$Yp1.46@trndny06>,
> "curt" > writes:
>
>
>>>The part of NY I live in isn't bad. My husband and I rode for over an
>>>hour yesterday on a road that goes straight through the middle of town;
>>>we only got honked at once (by someone in a pickup truck, gee, what a
>>>surprise), and the guy who yelled at me was asking if I knew where the
>>>Home Depot was. But I have to admit, it's a marked county bike route,
>>>and cyclists are a common sight.
>>>
>>>-km
>>
>>Pick-up truck... that does figure.
>
>
> Lately I've been noticing a lot of attitude coming from
> drivers of fancy, customized/accessorized, glossy _black_
> pickup trucks. The trucks don't like they've done an inch of
> real work in their lives. Sometimes, but not always, they're
> slightly low-ridered. I've learnt to look out for them.
> I guess London has its infamous White Vans; Vancouver BC
> has its black pickup trucks.

I don't remember what color it was, but I do remember that it was glossy
and clean and didn't look like it had ever touched anything but paved
city streets.

Back on the farm, we had a pickup truck. It was a dark red half ton
4x4. It was always dusty, had some dents (one was courtesy of an
annoyed mare), and generally looked pretty well used and abused. I was
proud of that truck -- I felt like I was driving a rolling hill down the
street. Not jacked, just higher than your average passenger car.

We have a minivan now that we live in town. *sigh* (Long wheel-base
minivan, so my long-leggity beasties, er, I mean sons, don't have to sit
with their knees under their chins.)

-km

--
the black rose
proud to be owned by a yorkie
http://community.webshots.com/user/blackrosequilts