Deep Thoughts with Rob

I'm feeling inspired by this article from a few weeks ago I came across.

For a long time I have had this idea for a stand up comedy ploy (if I ever wanted to aspire to be like our fellow Roller, Samson!) tackling the controversial subject of why drivers hate cyclists so much.

I go through all the typical bad faith arguments, you take up the road, you break the law, you go too slow, etc., etc., trying to rationalize each and every thought. I know there is no rationalization, it's a fool's errand in real life, but that's a part of the set-up.

I go through the logic of each argument and can't find anything other than a straw man. Finally, at the end of the day I just decide that it has to be jealousy. Because nothing else makes sense. I'm out enjoying life, enjoying the world around me and the driver isn't. That, and also probably just jealous that I look so dang good in my squid suit and muscular legs, haha (or at least once upon a time I did).

In reality, I gave up rationalizing why people hate cyclists a while ago. I just don't give in to it any more. Primarily because it's just not worth the emotional energy that you end up carrying with you the rest of the day. Plus, a host of other potentials. You give them fuel for their grumpiness/hate/perception. Shoot, they could be really unhappy and decide to start a physical altercation with you.

I had that happen a couple of years ago riding a long causeway out to a Gulf island. I had a "punishment pass" performed on me; it's called that because the road is clear and wide enough but they still try and get as close to you as possible without hitting you. Inside the truck were what I would call the typical characters of inciting such things but I remained as stoic as a Greek* Temple. Not a gesture, not a frown... I didn't even change my riding posture. Besides, I've had closer calls in the caravan with people who are actually trained and knowledgeable about riding around cyclists.

I got to the turn around on the island and the characters were there waiting for me standing in my path. Awesome.

One of them asked me "if I had a problem." But this is where not rising to their energy is the correct approach. So I said, "problem with what?"

"You know."

"No, I don't."

"You cussed us out back there."

"Ah," I replied. Here is where it became like an unironical spoof on the Roy D Mercer prank call genre.

It turned into a pretty typical jaw flapping, questioning my sexuality while wearing such flattering attire and "what was I going to do about it." At this point other people had stopped what they were doing at the island parking area and were looking on at their commotion. Sensing the opportunity, I told them to "have a nice day" and booked it out of there. I was genuinely worried - don't think I wasn't - that I was going to have an issue scooting back across the causeway. So I rode as fast as my out of shape butt could while looking over my shoulder the whole time.

While scary, I do think what saved me was that I kept my composure. It sucked, I wanted to lash out, chirp back. I'm a decent sized guy, 6'3", over 200lbs these days, but I was facing two scrawny Florida Men and meth is a hell of a drug. No way I was getting out of that situation by jawwing back.

Yet, I've not responded to a punishment pass or a hurled expletive in over a decade now. It was a hard mental reset to not be reactive. I still get mad as hell, but I don't think it's productive to respond and wallow in that anger. Plus, like above, even when you do nothing, some people are just looking for a fight.

Like the article above, I think we have an opportunity to do better and be better. I am not saying our frustration is not deserved or justified - oh, I still get so mad at people in social media comments. But it's not worth the emotional energy to wade into that swamp. We can put our energies elsewhere and effect real change in other areas of bicycle advocacy and leave motorists to wallow in their anger in their own heads.

*Yes, I know stoicism was really adopted by the Romans, but the Greeks created the philosophy and I find the Greek temples to be way more impressive - especially in Agrigento, Sicily.