For the record, I'm not the hero or martyr type, especially over something as silly as riding a bike. Also, I've been on a bike probably 85% of my life's days, and this was the first time I've been in a riding-related confrontation that reached this magnitude. The vast majority of NY drivers are very good. I also try to avoid situations that might put other cyclists in danger by some idiot's perception that one cyclist = every cyclist.
Act 1: Okay, so I was riding home off the Brooklyn Bridge last night when a aquagreen minivan pulls up right on my ass and sits on the horn. I was off to the side, riding at a decent clip, and they were being funny [censored]. Finally, they swerve around me, roll down the window, an start jawing nonsense. This is nothing I'm unaccustomed to, it's not a big deal, just another daily annoyance that has happened ten thousand other times. As a rule, if they're honking they won't hit you -- that's how rationalized and enlightened I've become over this sort of thing.
Act 2: On Tillary St they get stuck in traffic. I see the van, ride over, give their hood a nice loud slap
Why did you do it? You have no rationalization past this point.
Why did you do it? You have no rationalization past this point.
Having gotten a little crazy myself once or twice, I think it's something to do with being really pumped.
Understandable, but his ego shouldn't propel him to provoke an attack with a party that had already been harassing him and could likely retaliate with little thought to future consequences. -- Phil, Squid-in-Training
