The Joys Of Cycling: Catching Them At The Red Light

This is yet another installment of my continuing series, the joys of cycling. In which I try to chronicle some of the hidden gems of cycling.

Its not often in life that you are lucky enough to have what I like to think of as instant karmic retribution. If you are unfamiliar with the concept ask any mother who has told their child “don’t touch the stove, its hot” only to have JR. instantly reach up to burn their hand. BOOM instant Karmic retribution. As one of those dumb little children I can tell you I never touched that stove again.

I don’t plan on raising children but I have experienced the same deep satisfaction of knowing I am right many times. It happens to all of us, and it is highly gratifying, catching them at the red light.

Nothing screams “I AM A DOUCHE ROCKET!” harder than honking at a cyclist as they slow down…to stop at the red light…directly in front of them. You don’t even have to say anything just give them a nice big smile as they pull up next to you. They know what they have done, and the shame burns.

I have speculated on why people do this, perhaps they didn’t see the red, perhaps they have been trained by a life time of being stuffed into a little metal cage to only look directly in front of them, perhaps they really are douche rockets. Whatever the reason, nothing gets a good case of schadenfreude worked up faster than seeing the look on their face when the full impact of their own stupidity comes crashing down on them.

Have you experienced this joy of cycling? Share your experiences in the comments.

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