How far would let someone push you before you react?
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 665
Likes: 1
From: North Yorkshire
People tend to over react in road situations. I find cage drivers are frustrated by their lack of progress. I generally have superior speed and maneuverability I use them to best effect to make any point needed to be made. I don't have to even look at them let alone get in a confrontation, why risk ruining your day because of some other person's issues.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,421
Likes: 108
From: Tennessee
I can only recall two instances that were tense for me on the bike. Once a woman ran a stop sign and I slammed on the brakes and came about an inch from her passenger door. That window was down, and I proceeded to let the F word fly. She was really sorry, I could see that, but I was shaking like a leaf and the adrenelin was flowing, I had to pull over to calm down.
The other time was with a semi!!
The hubby and I were out for a beautiful morning ride. On the way back we came to a stop light. A Semi had been following us, and a little too close. DH was blazing the trail, I was behind. I kept trying to get away from Semi, he was too close.
When we came to the stop, I pulled up further than normal beside hubby to get away from Semi, the Semi came within one inch of hubbies back fender. I turned and looked up in the cab and two guys were laughing their butts off. Something bad in me kicked in. I should have just hit the throttle and gotten us both out of there.
But as we turned right, so did the Semi, and he once again proceeded to come up on my azz. Kept doing it for a few miles. So I slowed way down. He went into the other lane and so did I. He came back into the right lane, and so did I. They were laughing still, pointing, etc. So I invited them to play more with my .38 that I took out of my glovebox.
You know that whooooshing sound when they hit the brakes? Well, they backed off, meanwhile hubby notices what is going on and waves me up and tells me to pick it up so we can get away from anything icky. So we pushed it full throttle, and that was that.
It was a good lesson for me. I will never do it again. I asked hubby why he just sat there when the Semi came up on his azz, why didn't he get out of their way. He said he was going to hold his piece of property no matter what! Okey dokey! But I'm thinkin, again, Semi's always win!! Gotta get something they understand to make it even!
That was years ago, and now I just shake my head, try to stay away from any danger, and let it go.
The other time was with a semi!!
The hubby and I were out for a beautiful morning ride. On the way back we came to a stop light. A Semi had been following us, and a little too close. DH was blazing the trail, I was behind. I kept trying to get away from Semi, he was too close.
When we came to the stop, I pulled up further than normal beside hubby to get away from Semi, the Semi came within one inch of hubbies back fender. I turned and looked up in the cab and two guys were laughing their butts off. Something bad in me kicked in. I should have just hit the throttle and gotten us both out of there.
But as we turned right, so did the Semi, and he once again proceeded to come up on my azz. Kept doing it for a few miles. So I slowed way down. He went into the other lane and so did I. He came back into the right lane, and so did I. They were laughing still, pointing, etc. So I invited them to play more with my .38 that I took out of my glovebox.
You know that whooooshing sound when they hit the brakes? Well, they backed off, meanwhile hubby notices what is going on and waves me up and tells me to pick it up so we can get away from anything icky. So we pushed it full throttle, and that was that.
It was a good lesson for me. I will never do it again. I asked hubby why he just sat there when the Semi came up on his azz, why didn't he get out of their way. He said he was going to hold his piece of property no matter what! Okey dokey! But I'm thinkin, again, Semi's always win!! Gotta get something they understand to make it even!
That was years ago, and now I just shake my head, try to stay away from any danger, and let it go.
Twiggy, one has to wonder what would have happened that day with the semi had you not brandished your handgun. Who knows?
One thing I do know is that you werent the aggressor and you and DH were definitely at a huge disadvantage. You may have saved your lives by your actions.
Just sayin .
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 640
Likes: 13
From: Hickory, NC area
I find it generally easy to stay out of road confrontations. First, you ave to realize that most of the mistakes people make that raise your anger level are truly "mistakes" - meaning there was no intention in their actions - or they are just plain stupid. Either way, it is hard to fault them provided everyone remains safe. The small percentage of people that intentionally cause problems - like the semi driver - are best stayed away from as they are not playing with all 52 cards. So, take a right turn and get a coke!
Off bike confrontations are a whole different issue and the statements previously made about all bets being off as soon as you lay a hand on are correct in my book. Don't hesitate and don't turn your back until the situation is controlled.
Off bike confrontations are a whole different issue and the statements previously made about all bets being off as soon as you lay a hand on are correct in my book. Don't hesitate and don't turn your back until the situation is controlled.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 629
Likes: 1
From: Virginia Beach, VA
Twiggy, one has to wonder what would have happened that day with the semi had you not brandished your handgun. Who knows?
One thing I do know is that you werent the aggressor and you and DH were definitely at a huge disadvantage. You may have saved your lives by your actions.
Just sayin .
One thing I do know is that you werent the aggressor and you and DH were definitely at a huge disadvantage. You may have saved your lives by your actions.
Just sayin .
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 29,598
Likes: 19
From: Oregon
There are a couple of threads going on now that involve negative confrontations.At what point would you react in a violent manner in defense of yourself,your property or your family and friends?Let's hear some stories.I'm talking about bike related confrontations here.
About the semi, I've never seen the day I couldn't outrun a semi or find a hole small enough he couldn't follow through it. Not saying it couldn't happen, but it hasn't yet. I've never pulled a gun on a person and I hope I never have to. If I pull it, it will be to shoot it, not to threaten and I'll have a defensible reason.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,716
Likes: 103
From:
I don't carry, if you do and pull it, you better shoot to kill and you better not have a ***** little gun, 40 cal or bigger is the only thing I'd have. A 9 mil is just gonna **** some people off.
I'm generally laid back, but try and kill me and all bets are off.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,754
Likes: 4
From: GA
No doubt.
I am almost 50 and the days of me rolling around on the ground throwing hands is about at an end. I also carry (legally) so that has taken away the aggression that age left. I let stuff go now because it just isn't worth it. The only thing I can imagine immediately spurring me into confrontation would be a threat to my wife. That I could not let happen.
I am almost 50 and the days of me rolling around on the ground throwing hands is about at an end. I also carry (legally) so that has taken away the aggression that age left. I let stuff go now because it just isn't worth it. The only thing I can imagine immediately spurring me into confrontation would be a threat to my wife. That I could not let happen.