Tailgators?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,235
Likes: 65
From: Joliet, Illinois
The way I ride, it's rare I run into a tailgater. However, is someone wants to go faster than me, I prefer to get out of their way and let them go. If we're in traffic and they are just being a moron, I usually figure out some way to let them know to back off. The worst are middle aged women in green mini-vans for some reason.
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Northeast
As bad as it can get here in Ny,most cagers dont tailgate bikes. When someone does,I usually just slow down and wave em around. Now the truly irratating or obnoxious ones are a different story. When I have the time,I play a little game called " Mystery ride" what that is is this..you basically let them get in front of you and follow along to see where theyre going. Sometimes they get real nervous and with a little luck they actually speed up so much they get pulled over. This actaually happened once. I had a huge smile on my face.Itll probably never happen again though.Most of the time Im not riding aggresisve and Im really just cruising along taken in the sites and smells.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,437
Likes: 0
From:
For educational purposes:
A few months ago an "accident" made the headlines here in Italy.
A guy on a car cut off a guy on a bicycle. Name calling ensued, up to when the byicle rider spat on the car of the other guy, who then shifted in gear and ran him over, then switched in rear, and went over him a second time for good measure before fleeing.
The guy (a retired salesman or something like that who looked as the meekest person in the world) was apprehended and sentenced for murder, but the cyclist stayed dead all the same.
So, don't mess with someone you know nothing about who has some 3.000 pounds of steel on his hands, especially when you are on two wheels (powered or not).
This is true for lobbing gobs of spittle, stones, bearings and such.
A few months ago an "accident" made the headlines here in Italy.
A guy on a car cut off a guy on a bicycle. Name calling ensued, up to when the byicle rider spat on the car of the other guy, who then shifted in gear and ran him over, then switched in rear, and went over him a second time for good measure before fleeing.
The guy (a retired salesman or something like that who looked as the meekest person in the world) was apprehended and sentenced for murder, but the cyclist stayed dead all the same.
So, don't mess with someone you know nothing about who has some 3.000 pounds of steel on his hands, especially when you are on two wheels (powered or not).
This is true for lobbing gobs of spittle, stones, bearings and such.
Last edited by 99octane; Mar 30, 2012 at 11:02 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 44,907
Likes: 29,887
From: PNW
Pull over and let them by. There's some crazy folks out there and you never know what will set someone off. I'm no chickensh*t, but I know which battles to fight. Bike against car isn't one of them.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,476
Likes: 193
From: Las Vegas, NV
The way I ride, it's rare I run into a tailgater. However, is someone wants to go faster than me, I prefer to get out of their way and let them go. If we're in traffic and they are just being a moron, I usually figure out some way to let them know to back off. The worst are middle aged women in green mini-vans for some reason.
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I carry a Manriki Chain. Flashing that seems to get their attention. If not swinging it a few times has never failed me. Though When I had a much worse temper I found out it shattered driver windows & turn signals really well.
These days I try to just get away from them, slowing down, moving over, whatever the situation allows.
These days I try to just get away from them, slowing down, moving over, whatever the situation allows.
Last edited by Chitowntrav; Mar 30, 2012 at 01:50 PM. Reason: Forgot to add last line
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 19,982
Likes: 6,111
From: Florida
When I'm in a really pissed off mood, which is pretty much most of the time, I stop right there in the street, get out of my car, face them, and yell "GET THE F*** OF MY TAIL". I always make sure to have one foot in my car at the time, so they can't use a road rage defense. On the bike, I stop, turn around & point to 'em like the evil monkey in Chris' closet, and yell the same thing. Yea, I know it's stupid, and I'm working on not doing it. Might hafta increase my meds.
When I don't feel like stopping, I brake check them. It's almost always some bitch, or some stupid young male, & it always works.
One of my most fun things to do--and I did it just today--is slow down to a crawl, then when you come to a traffic light, speed up, make it through the light yourself while he catches the red. Hard to accomplish, but it CAN be done. That's a real heartwarmer.
When I don't feel like stopping, I brake check them. It's almost always some bitch, or some stupid young male, & it always works.
One of my most fun things to do--and I did it just today--is slow down to a crawl, then when you come to a traffic light, speed up, make it through the light yourself while he catches the red. Hard to accomplish, but it CAN be done. That's a real heartwarmer.
Last edited by dickey; Mar 30, 2012 at 02:00 PM.