Bullied by Trucker-request help for future

[Danelzka]

I was a newbie, and last Fall I finally got up the nerve for my first interstate ride. It was delightful. My c50 at 60 to 80 mph had no vibrations. Then, as I was going speed limit....a pick-up truck w/ 2 guys were tail gating me a bit too close for comfort. I speeded up, so did they. I slowed down, hoping they'd pass, they kept on my #&%. I put on my emergency flashers and slowed down more. I knew it was trouble when they copied my emergency flashers. (Where are the cops when u need them) I stayed in center of my lane, ignored them they then drive into passing lane and stayed level with me. They wld copy my speed patterns. They were laughing and I got mad and scared. An exit was coming up, I thought about taking it, but this is Vermont, very rural. I'd rather stay on as public road as poss..... when I passed the exit and stayed on interstate, they sped up and then pulled in front of me and hit their brakes. Somehow I had thot they wld do this and was prepared. I slowed way down, hoping for some traffic to show. the truck finally burned rubber and took off. I illegally crossed the median strip and headed back home. Was shaken, relieved, and in about 5 minutes happily cruising again. ANY TIPS if this happens again or to others who might read this? I am female, older (age 54) but in riding gear you cannot tell my age. Is gender the reason for the harrassment?

[Clint]

Originally Posted by Danelzka

Is gender the reason for the harrassment?

Heavens, no. Mental retardation and imbreeding is.

I'm really sorry that you had to deal with that. I'd be surprised if it ever happened again, though. Try not to worry about it. I don't have a woman's perspective, but I think we all feel about the same when threatened like that.

[stp1971]

Were you riding in Alabama? Just kidding. I agree with Rowdy. Inbreeding. Yep. That's it. Seen it before, first hand while traveling through Alabama. Just kidding folks.

Seriously,, just some jerks and you will probably never see them again. Just be aware and ride safely.

[tallannie]

Soooo glad you are ok! what a thing to happen on your first interstate ride!! Also, interesting because I am also female (age 57) and just posted here about a truck trying to drive ME off the road !...but I digress.

I think this happens to both men and women...but can I ask if you wear clothing that marks you as female ? or are you very small? You only say they cannot tell your age...but can they tell your gender from your color choices or styles or your body shape?

If you can be identified as female then I would think this behavior could also come partially from typical young male harassment of females.

Annie

Originally Posted by Danelzka

I was a newbie, and last Fall I finally got up the nerve for my first interstate ride. It was delightful. My c50 at 60 to 80 mph had no vibrations. Then, as I was going speed limit....a pick-up truck w/ 2 guys were tail gating me a bit too close for comfort. I speeded up, so did they. I slowed down, hoping they'd pass, they kept on my #&%. I put on my emergency flashers and slowed down more. I knew it was trouble when they copied my emergency flashers. (Where are the cops when u need them) I stayed in center of my lane, ignored them they then drive into passing lane and stayed level with me. They wld copy my speed patterns. They were laughing and I got mad and scared. An exit was coming up, I thought about taking it, but this is Vermont, very rural. I'd rather stay on as public road as poss..... when I passed the exit and stayed on interstate, they sped up and then pulled in front of me and hit their brakes. Somehow I had thot they wld do this and was prepared. I slowed way down, hoping for some traffic to show. the truck finally burned rubber and took off. I illegally crossed the median strip and headed back home. Was shaken, relieved, and in about 5 minutes happily cruising again. ANY TIPS if this happens again or to others who might read this? I am female, older (age 54) but in riding gear you cannot tell my age. Is gender the reason for the harrassment?

[tricker]

Inbreeding does a lot of crazy stuff to people's genetics.. such as what happened to you. Its unfortunate that it happened. People are stupid and all you can do is prepare for it.

[Kodatech]

I had this happen to a friend of mine....a couple of hillbillies in a pickup truck. He didnt know them and had never seen them before. They did exactly what you describe only they were throwing beer bottles at him too.

I would guess in your case they were likely drunk as well. He pulled into a well lit shopping mall and dialed 911 WHILE RIDING. Not the best of choices, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.

Personally, I carry a .45 wherever I go. If that option isn't for you, I would suggest doing what my buddy did, and riding to a well lit area and dialing 911, or do exactly what you did this time.

Keep your distance and stay safe. But dont worry about it....like everyone said, it will probably not happen again. And karma will take care of them.

[NateHarris]

next time they get in front of you, get their license plate and post here. Then we will track them down and make their already miserable, beer stained failure of a life an utter h.e.l.l.

[geoffsimpson]

We used to carry big ol' ball bearings in our pockets for situations just like this. Wait for 'em to get right on your butt and toss a couple over your shoulder...but we don't ride like that anymore. Thankfully

I agree with the others, the chance of it happening again are slim. That being said, be aware, always watch your six.

It's a lesson for all of us.

[texrider]

It's a moron sport. Dumb, yet dangerous. Get away from them quickly, and get a plate number and description for the cops when you call them!

[diamond_jim]

Originally Posted by stp1971

Were you riding in Alabama? Just kidding. I agree with Rowdy. Inbreeding. Yep. That's it. Seen it before, first hand while traveling through Alabama.

Well just hold on a minute there! What were you doing here anyways? I thought Uncle Jesse done told you and Luke not to drive the General through Bama country. We don't need no Hazzard County 'shine here. We gots our own.

[MikeHump]

I have a sportbike, so when people mess with me, they usually see my tail light for a couple seconds and then they don't see me anymore. I'll slow down once they're long gone, but I hate dealing with those kinds of people so usually I just do whatever I can to avoid them at all costs, even it it means speeding away from them. It's probably....actually definitely....not the smartest way to deal with this kind of a problem, but I'm a non-confrontational kinda guy, so just getting up and leaving usually solves the problem for me.

Glad to hear you're okay. Hopefully it won't happen again. I agree with texrider, just somehow try to get their license plate number and report them to the police. It probably won't do too much in the long run, but it's about all you can really do.

[JmalB]

Originally Posted by tallannie

I think this happens to both men and women...Annie

This is why my dad has a CCL. I'm looking into getting mine very soon.

I too am glad you're ok.

[Kooter]

Just because you may carry a gun does not make you invincible...

[JmalB]

Srsly?

[busa-boy33]

my answer...

yes I'm the monkey.. sheesh..




__________________________________________________ _____________

Ok.. maybe not.. but yeah, those situations do exist where someone wants to give you grief for being on a bike or passing them. I see it all too often while I am riding my busa. I have had people actually pull over in front of me to keep me from passing them. One guy even flipped me off. Its the dark side of owning a motorcycle.. still though.. the gun isn't a far fetched idea..

[KD57]

Originally Posted by MikeHump

I have a sportbike, so when people mess with me, they usually see my tail light for a couple seconds and then they don't see me anymore. I'll slow down once they're long gone, but I hate dealing with those kinds of people so usually I just do whatever I can to avoid them at all costs, even it it means speeding away from them. It's probably....actually definitely....not the smartest way to deal with this kind of a problem, but I'm a non-confrontational kinda guy, so just getting up and leaving usually solves the problem for me.

Glad to hear you're okay. Hopefully it won't happen again. I agree with texrider, just somehow try to get their license plate number and report them to the police. It probably won't do too much in the long run, but it's about all you can really do.

Glad you are OK, trucks and bikes don't mix very well, should they decide to run you off the road. You need to get out of the situation as quickly as possible before it escalates, and always get a plate number and description of the vehicle.

[CaptCrashIdaho]

Once they're in front of you the option is take the next turn off. Don't signal, just turn off abruptly. Remember you can generally outbrake a car so as long as you don't signal your intentions until it's too late for them to turn you should be able to shave yourself off the back. Doing the illegal median thing probably wasn't a bad call either.

Thier intent was to frighten you. It's sad and pathetic that the most power filled moment of thier puny lives was using a vehicle as a weapon. I always feel bad that they probably went home and tied firecrackers to cats for fun. It's still a frightening experience! Don't let them drive you from the sport!

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by geoffsimpson

We used to carry big ol' ball bearings in our pockets for situations just like this.

I've been wanting to throw this out for a while now; seems to fit here:

A LONG time ago, someone suggested I carry a can/box of black pepper with me on the bike, for use like the above bearings. The idea was that anybody tailgating you would get a good snoot full when you opened the box and threw it over your shoulder.....maybe even if the windows were closed......but people farther back wouldn't be affected.

That sounded like a good idea to me except for 2 things:
1) How do I get the box open without peppering ME ?
2) I had that happen once.....about 15 years ago. Is it worth carrying anything in prep. for something like that which will probably never happen again?

[inspiron]

Stupidity and immaturity knows no borders or limits. Sadly.

A few years back, my girlfriend and I were driving up the Autobahn. We came into a construction zone with an 80 kmh / 50 mph speed limit. I was driving at the limit (knowing that they often set up radar in this area). I had an idiot tailgating me, flashing his high beams, and basically acting like a total asshat. The idiot finally passed me, then pulled in front of me and slammed on his brakes. In the middle of a construction zone on the German Autobahn. I, too, was prepared and was able to avoid an accident (although, thinking back, it would have been somewhat satisfying to shove the grill of my VW up the ass of that BMW). There was no logical reason for his behavior, it was simply macho stupidity.

When you're on a bike, you have a few options. If traffic allows, do what you can to put other vehicles between you and the troublemaker. Bikes are agile - we can accelerate faster than a car or truck, and we can (even if it's not legal) split lanes and slip between two other vehicles. If I have to make a choice between a ticket and getting run off the road, I'll risk the ticket, no questions asked.

If you're pretty much alone and have an idiot on your tail, the best strategy I've found is the "surprise attack". Just close the throttle and let the bike slowly decelerate down to a crawl. If they don't pass you, this is a warning sign. At that moment, you need to have a clean straightaway ahead of you for you to punch the throttle wide open and hightail it out of there. Bikes can accelerate much faster than a heavy pickup, so you'll have a good headstart before they can catch you (and if you're lucky, you have passed another vehicle, putting more buffer between you and the idiots). Again, choosing between a speeding ticket and risk of physical harm by some idiot - the speeding ticket is the lesser of two evils.

[intimid8er]

If I remember S.O.P. in this sort of instance is to pull to the shoulder and allow them to go by.

If I read this right though, the person on the bike was in fear for her safety because there were no other cars on the road?