Cyclists are a kind of scourge. Of course there are the weekend 'mamils': the 'Middle Aged Men In Lycra'. That's a kind of sad Bifi look. They tend to act in a group and terrorist way. On the way to Zeeland, such a team fanned out a corner. The Great Leader made 'Away! Away!' gestures to us on our two good classics.
If you and your travel companion are well attuned to each other, you do not have to consult. We unanimously decided to remain on our rightful side of the road. The cyclists had to make adjustments to avoid a collision. They jokingly passed us in the raunchy smell of sweat and old testosterone. The latter spat at us.
In all quiet reflection we thought: "He shouldn't have done that now". We turned around and gave chase. Classic motorcycles are usually faster than slightly overweight men on expensive bicycles and have no turn signals. At the level of the Great Leader, we correctly indicated that we wanted to go right again after overtaking the peloton. He was hit in the face. We drove a few hundred meters further, put the mopeds aside and stood on the road. The pack came to a halt. Doubtful. Scolded from afar and turned around.
We did that too, because we just wanted to continue the trip
To avoid any further spitting we passed the mass of overweight with a long distance and sounded horn in the certainty that the midlifelosers would have something to say at home. That sounds like age discrimination. But it is not. Because even young cyclists can be very irritating.
On the main road a whole herd of students drove - oh no: from daycare the kids are now called 'students'. They occupied the widest on the bicycle lane plus the roadway. I gave a warning horn signal. That was noticed. A set of double FIAMMS is quite loud. The response to my kind warning proved how flexible the fingers of today's youth are. The hand that gave me a middle finger was holding a smartphone. If I had been in a car, I wouldn't have been able to. But you have more elbow room on the bike. As I drove past, I gave the adolescent an educational tap to the hand. He dropped his phone and made a weird pendulum. Fortunately he remained upright. But his phone slid under the wheels of an oncoming car. That must have been a learning experience. I sent a submitted piece to the local door-to-door magazine inviting the youngster's parents for an interview. Never heard of it again.
Of course, not only cyclists are surprising road users. I recently read an article "older drivers at risk". From my own experience I would make this: 'Older drivers, a danger'. Fortunately, they can often be recognized from afar by their cars, goodbye or the presence of caps or hats in the car plus a lady with a blue wash in the gray hair at the passenger seat.
We motorcyclists would be dangerous and surrender to a stupid and dangerous pastime
And of course there are also motorcyclists who are busy and stupid. For example, I was overtaken on the A2 by two motorcyclists. I am used to this with my usual driving speed. But these two passed me as they rode their respective rear wheels. Well done by the way.
Those are a few examples that don't make you happy
Fortunately, there are also many people who do well in traffic. But it's like all things: An annoying experience lingers longer than a handful of neutral idems. And then for us classic motorcyclists there are still many fellow nationals who check or speak to us endearingly. Those are the nice encounters. And you don't forget that either. For example, this morning I had a pleasant conversation with an elderly gentleman. He had also ridden a motorcycle. And dreamed about the rides from his youth. Nice is not it?
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Had it yourself once.
Main road where many trucks, cars with trailer, etc. drive, the approach route to the auction in Aalsmeer, a mountain biker drives on the road.
I pass this man and honk to make it clear that he can ride better on the adjacent bike path.
At the traffic light he has now gone to the cyclists light, and at a red light I am grumbling that it has a nature.
I was with him in 2 steps, but his clipons needed longer.
Just had a chat, he was an athlete. . . . . .
Look for a sports park or something, I must also if I want motor or car sports.
Rarely seen a cyclist startled like this when I got out. . ..
That was a learning moment for the cyclist!
A group of roadblocking cyclists that I approach on the motorcycle from behind, I have sometimes been treated to the clutch and loudly squeaky rear wheel ..
Not neat, I know, and certainly not safe or pedagogical, but the effect as flying cockroaches was no less.
Hopefully they will learn that our planet is called "Earth" and not "Me".
Live and let live, and now and then give a little more than take… that doesn't make you worse as a person.
Sometimes learning can hurt
In itself a fun and entertaining article. But don't let the 'educational taps' get out of hand, Dolf. 'Old testosterone' can behave like the coronavirus: you can get it without even knowing it.
Luckily I was wearing my gloves! But I believe in communicating at 'the same level' plus in case of serious nuisance the addition of an additional learning moment. This also works very well with dogs with behavioral problems. I bit a terrier once!