Left lane Lurkers

dan71

very delicate matter.
two comments:
-- I usually happen to go faster than cars in front of me in the left lane, BUT: sometimes I also happened to find myself in the left lane, with no holes in the rigth one, and some big crazy car driver just glued to my back wheel, furiously flashing and dangerously pushing me on; not pleasant, believe me if you never tried it.
-- having experienced both roles, and considering me too young to say bye to my life, this is my rule:
1) first, keep a safe distance. maybe he didn't see me: wait for a while
2) then, keep a safe distance. maybe he thinks I'm using him as a wind shield: let him know I'm not by blinking the left turn signal
3) keep a safe distance, still. maybe he is at the phone, he is having words with his wife, he is singing, he is thinking to a revolutionary formula that will change the human kind destiny: let's try with the passing ligth
4) don't forget: keep a safe distance. maybe he is falling asleep, he has very dark glasses and cannot see my ligths, he or she is using the rear mirror to adjust his or her lipstick: one or two short honks may help
5) ok: he definitely understood from the very first time my intention, but he is touchy and didn't like the turn lights (nor the pass ones, say nothing of the horn!): wait for the next hole in the right lane and carefully pass him on the right. Ah, did I remind you to keep a safe distance when passing? he probably is considering that same hole a good one to change lane!

oprayboy

always been tempted to give the side panels a kick, or just pull up beside and give their mirror a wack with ye 'ol carbon fibre knuckles.

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Would be lost without my bike.

dunedain

I use Hypers method of the perpetual left signal. It tells everyone "Hey, here I am trying to pass in the passing lane but I can't because douche bag up here ahead of me cant get the concept of slower traffic to the right and the local police are too ignorant to enforce the law."

After a few minutes of them seeing you with your signal on, biding your time behind them, they will get guilty feelings and pull over or prove they are total assholes at which point they become fair game and get a full ear of double down shift redline roar as I go by letting them know they suck!

Conversely, for the tailgater I dont slow down or brake check them in my car I just drive with the four ways goin telling the world "here is a freakin wreck wating to happen" You'll be amazed at how many people will back off if you flip on the hazards!

No one tail gates me on a bike! heheheheheheheh


I only hand signal other bikers (wave) and chicks (blow kisses though my helmet)!!!!

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Sua Sponte!

ominousone

I used to get crazy, but have tried to calm down in my older age. Most left lane hogs are just stupid ass-holes and either don't know, don't care, or do it just to control others-"I'm going the speed limit so screw you!" I just pass when it is (nearly) safe to do so and give them the right blinker as I cut left in front of them and be on my way. A bird, thankfully, doesn't much space to get around. I have dropped a couple gears and split side by side cars when they won't move. I am through before they even know what happened.

Then there the assholes that speed up as you try to get around. Some people don't seem to want to go faster, but sure don't want you ahead of them. No match for the bike, but annoying in my car.

Really, just be wise and safe. If something happens, the bird is no match for a cager.

Ride fast but safe,
ominousone