Photo-0002.jpg
Originally uploaded by chez shoes.
So I got up early this morning, and decided to start my day with a just-for-fun cruise down 4SBB.
At 4th and La Brea, I hit a red light. It’s early, but there’s still enough traffic to make it seem prudent to wait for a green to cross. Next to me is an unassuming-looking guy in a Jetta*, also seemingly waiting to cross La Brea. (I mean, he didn’t have a turn signal flashing. So he must be going straight, right?)
Light turns green. I start going straight. Guy starts turning right. I stop, he stops, throws up his arms in a “what’s the world coming to?” kind of gesture, rolls down his window and says “Stupid (c-word), I’ve been waiting for you to go!”
I can only assume that in his self-absorbed little world, he was going to make a right turn (without signalling, that is) so OF COURSE I couldn’t possibly have been waiting to do anything but make a right turn. Either that, or he expected me to cross a major thoroughfare against a red light and get out of his all-important way. Either way – WTF?
I just gave him stinkeye and shook my head at him and rode off. But not before he managed to get in one last dig: “Stupid (c-word), GET OUT OF THE STREET.”
Now that’s an original one. *rolls eyes*
*It’s worth pointing out that the guy didn’t look like the typical type that harasses bicyclists. I mean, he *looked* like a nice guy. Generally speaking, the not-nice guys don’t drive Jettas or other reasonably-sized cars. And they usually look a lot richer, or a lot more stylish, than this guy did. Just goes to show you, I guess.

June 29, 2008 at 9:30 am
Guess the “C” doesn’t mean cat-lady or California native…..
Well I just rode my bike to TJ’s in lieu of my usual Sunday AM hike (too hot in the SGV)and can report that not a single Land Rover driver tried to run me over as I rode down Mission. I think they were all parked at Mike & Anne’s eating $27 Breakfast Quesadillas.
June 29, 2008 at 11:18 am
Don’t you just wish you had super powers to make his eyes balls explode?
June 29, 2008 at 11:56 am
as much as I love my 4SBB, i too have been harassed there….and so many other places in this wacky town….
just wanted to say hey! thanks for the 4SBB linkage!
and most importantly….i too, have a masters in library and info science….an a job….as a librarian!!!
great blogie!
June 29, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Damn. I wish I would have been with you. I’ve been feeling very fiesty this weekend and have had no problem making people aware of their stupidity.
Just reading it made want to yell out a big “F you” to that lame ass.
June 29, 2008 at 7:51 pm
I got yelled at by someone in a Forester not too long ago — that seemed incongruous with the image I have of Forester drivers. I’m sorry you got yelled at, especially for no reason at all — that just ruins my day when someone does that.
June 29, 2008 at 9:14 pm
Hi,
That’s some serious L.A. road rage. Know that you’re awesome cruising around on your bike!
June 30, 2008 at 2:17 pm
If I had super powers I don’t think I’d be aiming for his EYE balls.
Oh well. Just imagine how small his dick is!
July 2, 2008 at 3:51 pm
OoooooooooooOOOO! This makes me so mad!! And was this on your inaugural trip along the 4SBB? DAMMIT!
I have a funny feeling I don’t get picked on when I’m biking because I’m mean and big and soooooo don’t look like the nice guy you initially surmised the Jettard to be.
July 2, 2008 at 4:00 pm
What cracks me up is when they gun the engine and squeal the tires in an effort to out-accelerate a bicycle.
Ah, LA drivers. Gotta love them.
I hope you at least flipped him off.
July 2, 2008 at 4:03 pm
Hey, Will, does looking big and mean protect you from the idiots that drive in Beverly Hills?
I’ve almost been KWB (killed while biking) more times in BH than anywhere else in the city. Combined.
July 2, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Wurd. Beverly Hills is KWB territory…
I’m still sad that you got harassed so rudely on the 4SBB!!!!
ARGH!
July 3, 2008 at 10:22 am
Hi Peggy,
It’s been far so good in avoiding the idiots whenever I’ve been in Beverly Hills.
Here’s a route tip that I regularly use in that bike unfriendly municipality to avoid anything with the words Santa Monica Boulevard in it: Carmelita. It’s a block north of big Santa Monica and there are a lot of four-way stops, but it arcs nicely and residentially between Doheny all the way to Wilshire Boulevard . I call it “Beverly Hills Bike Boulevard.”
Check it: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2044912
July 8, 2008 at 8:47 am
yikes! sounds like a total ass.