thielges@uiucdcsb.Uiuc.ARPA (07/16/85)
If you have the chance some time to do this - take the chance. If an assh*le yells at you and then gets stopped ahead by a light or train, catch up to him/her and politly say that you didn't hear them and would like them to repeat it. Sometimes, they will scramble to roll the window up but they are almost always humbled by confrontation. Bart Thielges (yes, even guys get harassed)
leimkuhl@uiucdcsp.Uiuc.ARPA (07/18/85)
I ride everyday for a few hours, and I am NEVER harassed! Admittedly, it is much different for a woman, but I have a few techniques that probably tend to discourage rude people. Teenagers are the most likely to be obnoxious. If you see a 69 GTO coming up behind you (or more likely, hear it) swerve out into the left lane a couple of times. If you want, make it look like you're having trouble on a shift. Believe me, they don't want an accident any more than you do, and they'll give you an extra-wide berth if they fear that YOU might hit THEM. (Of course, don't try this unless they're far enough back so you won't really get hit!) Nasty people are afraid of nasty people. Try to look like Bernard Hinault (or the female equivalent). When I suspect kids or hicks back, I start such a flurry of spit and snot, that anyone would be crazy to get close. I also put on a look of complete mean-ness. Grunt a bit just to get in the mood. Finally, I've got a back-up plan in case I should actually have an bad encounter in which I'm run off the road and a gang of uglies pulls over ahead of me. Grabbing my pump from the bike, I'll come charging down the highway shouting obscenities in French. Probably there are few things more frightening in this world than an armed and angry Frenchman. -Ben Leimkuhler