Bloviations

*This post isn’t for the kiddies. There’s foul language after the jump. Consider yourself warned.*

There I was yesterday evening pedaling along New Bridge St. I cruised through the green light at the intersection of New Bridge and Warlick and, after slowing down for automobile traffic to pass, I pulled into the left-turn lane before New Bridge and East Railroad streets. Since I had the green and there was no oncoming traffic, I began my turn (remaining in the right lane the entire time) onto East Railroad street.

And then, it happened.

“Hey FUCK YOU!” (And yes, I heard it in bold).

It came from a large white woman smoking a cigarette in a green Mercury Sable which was stopping at the intersection.

I was stunned by the vitriol and hatred in the voice. So stunned, in fact, I nearly lost control of my bicycle and almost crashed into the curb. I stopped, turned around and stared back at the car for about 3 minutes (or however long it took the light to change and the car to drive away) in complete and total shock.

I reviewed the last 5 minutes of my life: No traffic, light was green, didn’t pull in front of anyone, didn’t cruise through a red light, didn’t hop curbs, didn’t do anything surprising, didn’t do anything any differently than any other evening that I bicycle home.

I don’t know what I did to offend Ms. Green Mercury Sable, but I do know that it was the first time I’ve ever wanted to be from New York City.

I certainly would’ve had a better response than staring dumbly in her direction.

But, since I’ve had time to reflect, I’ve got only two words for this woman, and these two words may become my response to road rage in the future.

“Stay classy.”

September 4th, 2008 | Category: Bicycling, Car-Free, Commuting, Jacksonville, NC | Subscribe to comments | Leave a comment | Trackback URL