"Letting it go" Sometimes I just can't do it.

I apologize ahead of time for the long rambling post, but I need to get this one off my mind.

Two days in a row I had a moving altercation with cages while on an extremely heavily traveled stretch of freeway. I found myself unable to be passive and “let it go” I put myself into a few dangerous situations that could have been ugly. I also acted in a way that give us MC's a bad name.

Friday –
As usual I creep up between the cars to the stop light at the on ramp.
Guy in a newer Jeep SUV is not happy with this so he starts to creep up before the light changes.
I ignore him and take off quickly (as usual) when the light changes. He charges up behind me and starts tailgating me.
I decide to tap the break brakes to warn him off and then I slow way down just to piss him off.
Once up on the overpass heading to the 101 he makes big maneuvers to get around me and cuts me off. Okay, I back off now and just let him go on ahead. Traffic is heavy and I don’t want to die today.

Up ahead on the merge to 101 the traffic backs up like it always does so I start sharing lanes through the thick stuff like I always do, and guess who is right up ahead? That’s right it’s the Jeep SUV. He spots me coming and quickly turns into the lane divider to cut me off and block me, and almost nails me in the process. (My blood is boiling as I type this) I had to make an evasive move to avoid getting squished. I should have just “let it go”. Instead, I force myself between him and the other car and blast him with my Stebel air horn as I squeeze through. At this point he decides to back off, and I never see him again on the ride to work. Lucky me.

Saturday –
Same area on 101 at Hospital Curve (for those who know the area). I’m already on the freeway having just merged onto it and trying to get over to the fast lane away from the slower drivers. I find myself stuck behind a big slow truck hauling rubbish.
I check my mirror and a quick look over my shoulder to see if I can get around him. It has to happen now or I’ll be stuck there for a while because there are a lot of cars coming up on the left and right.
I throw on the turn signal and decide to get over to the left. I see the line of cars coming but there is just enough room to make the move safely. I’ll admit it was barely enough room, and I notice the guy in the left speeding up so I can’t get in. (I hate it when people do this)
He jams up behind me and tailgates me while we are doing 60+ mph in dense traffic while honking his horn. I decide to be an idiot again and tap my brakes. I have a strobe type brake light that flashes. It get’s his attention and then I slow way down to mess with him. Why can’t I just “let it go”?
The traffic clears up a little and I move on, but guess who is making all sorts of big maneuver’s to get up beside me? It’s the old man in the Civic. He rolls down his window and gives me “the finger” Shouting something and honking his puny little horn so I give him a blast of the Stebel. Then he swerves into my lane, cuts me off, and jams on his brakes. I have to make an evasive maneuver to avoid stacking up on him while going 60+ mph. Fine. I just motor on ahead and get away from him.
I move out of the fast late because the traffic has opened up a little and it’s now flowing at 75+ mph.
My blood is still boiling from the whole incident and then here he comes again on my left in the fast lane. So I just let him go on ahead right? Nope. I’m a idiot and have lost my mind at this point. So I throw on the turn signal like I’m going to change into his lane.
He of course speeds up to block me. I actually had no intention of moving into his lane. I was just messing with him. I was already going over 70mph and was happy enough.
But…. I decide to split the lane and cut him off. I ride right up beside him and give him the bird and then get into his lane for a few seconds before speeding off and heading over to my exit.
I was behaving like a total Alpha Hotel! (a** hole)
Why couldn’t I just let it go?

I need to remind myself that when I’m riding I am representing all motorcyclists need to be an ambassador for the MC community and set a good example. Instead I was perpetuating the negative aspects that give us all a bad name. I apologize for that.

I’m going to drive my car to work this week and take a break…

Hey, I for one appreciate you telling this tale in its entirety (most wouldn't) and actually relating that you took these actions even when in the back of your mind you knew you probably shouldn't.

There may be those who claim they've never done anything they shouldn't have when faced with these situations, but even though this (to me, anyway) forum group seems like a laid-back, good-natured bunch of guys with a hell of a lot of riding experience, haven't we all faced this? Did we always do the "right thing?" I'll freely admit I've succumbed to "road rage" on a couple of occasions. Not to say what you did classifies as "road rage," but you know what I mean: just getting really pissed off at stupid drivers around us.

I don't operate in the same riding environment you do, but I definitely get your thoughts and actions on this.

I found your post a good, first-hand reminder to all of us and I thank you for that.

I'd do exactly what you're going to do. Switch to the car for a week and take a break.

+1 on the drive the car for a week or so. We all are faced with the agressive driver who tries to intimidate the cyclist from time to time. It doesn't take much for brief contact of the two vehicles and we lose! It's not worth getting f___ed up for life due to a guy driving an SUV who had a fight with the wife before work. Be safe!

Sounds like a good plan. Any unused vacation available? Not hard to get stressed out in this day and age.

Michael, proud to know you brother. I've been there and you are making the right decision after making a few bad decisions you got lucky on. I catch myself feeling that way sometimes (when I was younger I did some stupid things like you did). Nowadays, I remember what my wife always says. They are assholes. You can't "teach them a lesson". They can kill you in a second. It's lose, lose dude.

For those who aren't observant, Cabrito and I ride in the same club. I have a club decal on my gas tank right between my legs. Looks nice there, but it is also a good reminder as you said. When I am stopped at a stoplight, I look down there and think, every ride I take, I represent the club. And in a larger sense, the MC community at large. My being aggro could get me killed or it could get one of you killed.

It's hard, but the car wins. Always. Except in that series with Ewan McGregor I've been watching while laid up. I'm convinced he is magic though (got rear ended and didn't poop it).

Good on ya little goat.

Sometimes you just have to do what the voices in your head tell you! If anyone says they've never experienced rage when drivers do stupidly blatant things, they are either liars or don't get out much (or have really good medication). Thanks for sharing Cabrito.

Gotta respectfully disagree. We all DO get road rage, but you DON'T have to listen to the voices. They will get you hurt.

Yeah, I used to do this type of stuff when I was younger. A lot younger... I've been riding for 29 years..

There is nothing wrong with a brake tap (not actually slowing down) to let a driver know they are too close for your safety. When you get to the point of provoking a cager is where you start to endanger yourself. It makes me think of the old fighting analogy "never bring a knife to a gunfight." Well we have chosen the knife and if someone on four wheels chooses to assert themselves you will loose every time. It's best to use that aggression you feel to put some distance between you and the idiot that would like to kill you. In most cases in heavy traffic it is very easy to move over to the far side of the next lane and continue on your way. Live to ride, ride to live. Nothing wrong with taking a break and reassessing your mindset.

I think you're onto something there. I was at the end of seven days straight of work with one day off the week before that. Every day I was coming home and talking about what a crappy day it was. Long days too.

Funny how on the way home it never happened. It was on the way into work when I was pissed about going to work and in a hurry to get there.
The ride home is usually therapeutic.

I'm going to take Friday off...