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If I get run over, here's why.

Bay Arean

Bay Arean

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 8, 2010
Location
El Sobrante
Moto(s)
Bonneville
Had an unpleasant exchange on WB SP Dam Road on Monday afternoon commute.

Approaching a red light, I changed lanes after checking mirror. There was a car coming from behind in that lane but with plenty of room for an orderly stop (in my OPINION). Apparently he did not think so.

Came to stop, heard this commotion from other lane, horn, etc. Guy backed up out of inside lane (he had made last minute change) and swerved around to the right of me on shoulder screaming obscenities, he was was gonna hit me next time, f@cking assh#le, kick-yer-ass all that stuff. Looked to be in his 60s, probably a drinker, black guy with some gray hair, kinda looked like the Indian Chief guy on Treme.

After screaming and screaming he took off, later ran a red light on the right turn up to Appian. Adrenaline no doubt.

So, I never said a word, kept my visor shut and just let him talk. I feel I did the right thing by not engaging, nor gesturing. I think it made him madder but I could think of nothing that would cool him down at that exact moment..One of those "no room for apology conversations by somebody who enjoys being indignant." I was more numb than scared or mad, as I was pretty sick actually with a crappy cold.

Beyond the fundamental mistake of not getting a plate, I am working out scenarios in my mind. Just what do I do if this guy starts chasing me or what? He was pretty pissed, has a sporty little two-door black Mercedes.

My working theory is that the guy was not paying attention and suddenly came up on a stop light and there was somebody. Or that he intentionally made a big deal because he has that working theory of some motorists that they own the 50-100 feet in front of them as well as their own car.

It's possibly that I was too sudden, I can't rule it out, because he was so very pissed. But I don't do road rage at all anymore, even with incredibly stupid things because everyone makes mistakes and we live in semi-Zombie land anymore.

Advice welcome regarding future encounters. I mean, I feel maybe the dude ultimately will feel stupid for losing his cool so bad. I think he was mad at himself for not paying attention but not sure. But if he's a commuter and wants to stoke the head of steam, I guess I need practical advice. Because I didn't engage, he may think I'm afraid of him the way bullies like to do.

Do I get behind him or ahead of him if he starts in? It just seems like giving chase will ante up the potential danger to other motorists. If I get behind he might want the big fist fight bit. I don't want to spend even a moment in custody for his road rage. And yes, I think I can "take" him. But that doesn't matter, cause thats not how I have ever rolled.

Thanks for listening.
 
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Well, its been my home for almost 40 and my daily commute for 10 years. I've seen a lot of stuff but nothing like this other than the noted speeding by everyone (Tharkun calls it "out of control."

But I'll take that as a "cool story, bro" and move on and just deal with it.
 
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Bay Arean said:
Well, its been my home for almost 40 and my daily commute for 10 years. I've seen a lot of stuff but nothing like this other than the noted speeding by everyone (Tharkun calls it "out of control."

But I'll take that as a "cool story, bro" and move on and just deal with it.
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:laughing

Sent you a PM.:rofl
 
dude, you made me spill my beer... your goin down :mad
 
Homeboy hissyfit, I almost got into it with that same type of person here at the shop, finally I blurted out "I WILL kick your fucking ass, you got the wrong person". He jumped back in his car and took off, probably to confer with whoever talked him up in the first place.
I blame cocaine, but you're right to just let them blow off, and be on their way while riding your moto.
 
fawndog said:
Homeboy hissyfit, I almost got into it with that same type of person here at the shop, finally I blurted out "I WILL kick your fucking ass, you got the wrong person". He jumped back in his car and took off, probably to confer with whoever talked him up in the first place.
I blame cocaine, but you're right to just let them blow off, and be on their way while riding your moto.
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Thx. I felt all Zen-like. It was weird. I think the earplugs helped. I mean, really. I was just watching it, like watching a little kid have a tantrum. And I know the boozers tend to devolve to 2 to 3 years old as their id or whatever kinda takes over. Problem is, they have driver's licenses and 3,000 lb deadly weapons. And that's what he was threatening me with, his car.
 
Hooli said:
Black guy?

Crackhead from Oaklamd.
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Naw. Not in his Mercedes. Looked more like a retired administrator or other gubmint worker, or maybe coach. Maybe post office. That reduces most people to raw nerves after a few decades.
 
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Bay Arean said:
Thx. I felt all Zen-like. It was weird. I think the earplugs helped. I mean, really. I was just watching it, like watching a little kid have a tantrum. And I know the boozers tend to devolve to 2 to 3 years old as their id or whatever kinda takes over. Problem is, they have driver's licenses and 3,000 lb deadly weapons. And that's what he was threatening me with, his car.
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I try to to defuse it by acting dumb, "Dood... Whuuut ?". After that there is a very very short fuse, mostly because I'm feigning stupidity for someone else's gross transgression.
 
Bay Arean said:
Naw. Not in his Mercedes. Looked more like a retired administrator or other gubmint worker, or maybe coach. Maybe post office. That reduces most people to raw nerves after a few decades.
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Or a corrections officer from CCC :wtf
 
Just chalk it up as number 54652 things bikers have to deal with.
 
Perhaps in his opinion you made a lane change at the last moment that he wasn't expecting, and it startled him.. If he's older his reaction times could be a bit slower.
 
Cabrito said:
Perhaps in his opinion you made a lane change at the last moment that he wasn't expecting, and it startled him.. If he's older his reaction times could be a bit slower.
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Of course. That's part of the thought process on my part. I know what I saw but I refuse to consider myself correct or perfect in judgement. I am working on the theory that he didn't see the approaching redlight and was looking down, maybe at his phone or something. He suddenly looks up and there is a vehicle that wasn't there and a red light to boot. Or, as I said, that he wanted engagement, which some angry types do because of other situations in their miserable lives.

And thing is, I would gladly apologize even if I didn't do wrong to make peace. I am 100% down on road rage. Life is too short.. I would have liked to have had the chance. I know that on bikes, we are in a sped-up kind of reality at times and what seems normal to us might be distorted.

But the conversation started with, "I'm gonna run you over next time you f@cking a@#hole" and it went downhill from there. Not really a good, or safe, way to talk to an absolute stranger.
 
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Bay Arean said:
But the conversation started with, "I'm gonna run you over next time you f@cking a@#hole" and it went downhill from there. Not really a good way to talk to an absolute stranger.
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Dude- sorry I was so upset that you didn't submit to the authority of my mullet!:thumbup:laughing
 
Bay Arean said:
But the conversation started with, "I'm gonna run you over next time you f@cking a@#hole" and it went downhill from there. Not really a good, or safe, way to talk to an absolute stranger.
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This part is the really bad part.. He totally overreacted. That kind of behavior is going to come back on him in the worst way if he does that all the time.

I think the main thing is that you got out of it unscathed. If he really didn't see you until the last second you're lucky he didn't rear-end you.

I think you have a good attitude about the whole thing.
 
Thanks. I sure don't mind a little verification from you guys. I just don't think a "sorry and have a nice day" was gonna cut it.
 
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