Hand-Wringing Ninnies

[Jeff Higgins]

I just had the misfortune of being re-introduced to one I met last summer. He still hates me, and apparently, all I represent. A little back story:

As mst of you know, my other passion beyond early 911 hot-rods is motorcycles. I have several, and ride one or the other virtually every nice day when I'm not in the 911. My riding style varies with my mood and choice of bike. On the Harleys, I tend to ride like the old fart I am, but on the Ducati - well, I ride it like I drive my 911. Pretty much balls out when and where I can.

So, last summer, I'm out on the Duc, on one of my weekend morning "constitutionals". I get up early and ride or drive, hitting the back roads in the river valley before the crowds start to clog them up and render my preferred riding/driving style even more "irresponsible" than it already is. Anyway, I get stuck behind a very slow moving car in one of my favorite sections of twisties. The guy is doing about half the speed limit, if that. We pass several sections with very wide shoulders, even some turnouts, and I "flash to pass" at the first couple, then toot my horn at the next several. It couldn't be more obvious that he is holding me up (at about half the limit). He steadfastly refuses to yield. So, at the next spot where I can see far enough ahead to do it safely, I goose it past him. No big deal, even though it was on a double yellow - I could get around him and back into our lane long before the next truly blind corner, especially at the speed he was traveling.

This "morning constitutional" usually has the same destination - a coffee shop down the valley. There I sit at one of the outdoor tables enjoying my coffee, some twenty minutes after this encounter, and in pulls the car that was dawdling along so slowly. A guy my age that looks like a Presbyterian minister or something gets out, along with his wife - one of the most stern, humorless looking women I think I have ever seen. They are both glaring at me and alternately looking at my bike as they head inside. Neither says a word. I smile at them, trying to look friendly.

When they come back out, they grab a table near mine. Then it starts:
"Pretty damn reckless riding around like that. Have a death wish or something? How old are you? Aren't you too old for that crap? Don't you have a wife, or kids, or something you care about? Does she know how you ride? Does she let you do this? What's the matter with you?" Yadda yadda yadda... I didn't even look at them - I just lifted a cheek and farted. "Think you're cute, do you? How many of your friends have died on those damn things?"

"This year, or all together?" I throw my cup in the trash, pull on my jacket and helmet, fire up the bike and leave.

End of back story... I'm sitting in the same chair, at the same table, tonight after work. The same car pulls in, with the same two humorless near-corpses in it. Their idea of "risk" or "adventure" must be doing it with the lights on... Anyway, they remember me, and appear, oddly enough, somewhat excited to see me. Opportunity, I guess - the guy starts in again, right where he left off last summer. The wife, like last summer, doesn't say a word, but nods approvingly all the while.

Oh well. I chalk it up to valuable insight as to how some folks must perceive us. What we do seems insane to them. Wildly irresponsible. Frightening. I have to wonder, though, if the guy secretly longs for the boldness he sees in others, resenting them for it. Or if the wife wonders what it must be like to do it with the lights on...

[nostatic]

So he got in your face again, with no provoking incident?

You should have called Denis...

[m21sniper]

You should have hit him with the line from the Blues Brothers, "Your woman. How much for your woman? I want to buy her...."

LOL

[nostatic]

For next time:

Man starts harangue.

Jeff: Give me some money.

Man: what?

Jeff: Give me some money. If you're going to act like my parents then I want my allowance. And while you're at it could you close the door when you and mom do it? It makes me throw up a little when I see that.

[m21sniper]

Lol, that would be classic.

[Gogar]

People derive pleasure in many different ways,

and you gave them

- what they wanted, in a way.

If you had open carried, then she probably would've had TWO orgasms later.

[Buckterrier]

A gentle headbutt in the chest seems to do wonders

[Rikao4]

you gotta go back..
you simply must...
don't ride with it..
but do greet them wearing a speedo & potatoe..
and when she mutters ..
well I never..
best you hop on the table my dear ..

Rika

[cstreit]

You: "Do you remember remember exactly when you turned in your balls and your man card sir?" "Does your wife know where they are?"

[sammyg2]

I generally don't have the time or patience to talk to strangers, even less to listen to one.

I'd have just flipped him the bird and went about my business without giving them another thought. I certainly wouldn't have fixated on it and would not have remembered them a year later. Chip on the shoulder must have gotten awful heavy after that long

[Tobra]

Eventually, he will play that with the wrong person and it will end badly for bothhim and his wife.

First time I could have held my tongue, second time probably not. The only person at risk when you are on two wheels is you. He creates a hazard for all with that rolling road block stuff. Maybe he should not be driving, if he is afraid to.

[trekkor]

Someone needs to make one of those cartoons of the account...

Gogar?


KT

[Por_sha911]

Don't lower yourself to their level. If you believe that they are Christians then give them rebuke from a source they cannot argue with. Type out this scripture and put it in your pocket. Next time you see them, smile and calmly give them a copy and tell them that they should pray about whether even if they are right they are driving people farther away by the way they treat people:

"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." Gal 5:19-21 KJV

If you are rude, in their minds you prove that they are right. Take the high road and make them feel small.

[Rikao4]

come on..
if your handing out lit..
at least let it be a well worn copy of Penthouse..
he should perhaps point out a letter in the Forum..
'me and 4 chicks at once'
and inform the guy..
that's me..

Rika

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

If you are rude, in their minds you prove that they are right. Take the high road and make them feel small.

Why lower yourself to their level of uncivil behavior?

[Superman]

HALF the speed limit? That's not just extremely frustrating.......it's unacceptable.

And I'm guessing you handled it perfectly. You've got a calm way about you. I wish I could remain calm a bit more often than I do.

[Rikao4]

Joe, I'm kidding..
the proper thing to do..
slice his tires..



reality..I would wish them a nice day..
and laugh about it..

Rika

[scottmandue]

I agree that he was being more of a hazard by driving under the limit.

I sometimes lurk at LEO BBS just to see what is going on in their world... some lady posted about how she blocks traffic to slow down those evil speeders expecting to get a pat on the back from the LEO's... they all reamed her and told her she was a danger to herself and others.

FWIW I used to get counseling from an elderly minister... it was like talking to my dad but I could say anything I wanted... he rode a Yamaha sport bike.

[Por_sha911]

Scott: would you please post the link to the LEO BBS?

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by Rikao4

Joe, I'm kidding..
the proper thing to do..
slice his tires..

That would be my second choice or, maybe slash the tires while they are reading the scripture: Kill 2 birds with one stone!