In your cage- how do you merge with a pack of 40 bikes?

[tonyj311]

So I was in my car the other day. I took the off ramp from the freeway onto a 4 lane divided highway. There were about 40-50 Harleys riding on the inside lane so I could at least merge onto the highway. Problem is that I needed to get into the left lane to take the turn about 1/4 mile up the road.

I signaled- made sure the guys next to me were out of the way, looked again to make sure no one sped up and merged over. No finger gestures from the guys around me, or angry passing.

I got into the turn lane without cutting anyone off, but some douche on a trike pulls up next to me and started reading me the riot act. Throwing the effen heimer around like it was nothing- while my two kids were sitting there listening to all of this.

I dont think I did anything wrong, and I am guessing he was just at the back of the pack and didnt see how much room there actually was.

Was I supposed to stop and let them all go by before merging over? I thought the way I did it was the safest way possible...I'm curious what the consensus is on this..

[erkishhorde]

Large groups should expect to be split periodically. It's just not practical to keep groups of more than 6-8 unsplit because then you're taking up the space of a bus and obstructing traffic. Ideally they would be courteous and observant enough to make an opening for a merging car that is signaling but a lot of them aren't and rage away like that guy because they think that being in a large group gives them the right to ignore traffic laws an common courtesy.

I think you had every right to split the group if you had due cause like you did. It's safer and less cumbersome to split the group and then jump into the left turn than stop in the right hand lane and wait for them to pass an then try to cut off any cars that are likely behind them to make your left.

[cyrus buelton]

I'd of made fun of him purely for the fact the pussy was riding a trike..................

[tonyj311]

I'd of made fun of him purely for the fact the pussy was riding a trike..................

I bit my tongue. I was going to say "cute trike- my 4 year old has one too."

[Slide Panda]

Spending some time around DC huh?

Technically you didn't do anything wrong. As far as I know at least... There's no rules that I'm aware of that say a car can't merge with a column of bikes. OF course one needs to be safe about it - but I'm guessing with two kids in the auto, you were not doing your best Stig impression.

Now, the trike guys sense or moral indignation doesn't have anything to do with laws.. just his perceived set of 'the rules'. Yeah, it sucks when a car that doesn't need to pushes it's way into a little (5-6) group of bikes. Really, that's just a bit assey.  But 50 bikes, as said, they are going to have to expect that other motorists will need to interact with them some how, and unless they are under police escort it will happen.

As long as you did your merge in a safe fashion, and it was the only realistic option.. then he just had a case of the ass and needs to mellow his 99%'er ass out.

[RAT900]

When you said 40-50 Harley's statistically the percentages said this story would involve an asshole encounter

[cyrus buelton]

When you said 40-50 Harley's statistically the percentages said this story would involve an asshole encounter

and also the potential for a lot of alcohol in their system..............


at least that is how the big groups ride around here.


Bar to Bar to Bar for 8 hours.

[Popeye the Sailor]

I do a rolling burnout all the way through. The smoke slows 'em down and make a gap. It's a safety move.

[RAT900]

We may need to call CCEMN1 back in for a consult on this one...

he would know the manly approach

[Popeye the Sailor]

We may need to call CCEMN1 back in for a consult on this one...

he would know the manly approach

He'd whup his own ass on principle, because you don't mess with the brotherhood of bikers!

[cyrus buelton]

I do a rolling burnout all the way through. The smoke slows 'em down and make a gap. It's a safety move.

Can hybrids do burnouts?

[Pip]

He'd whup his own ass on principle, because you don't mess with the brotherhood of bikers!

I'm sure there'd be some assplay involved on his part, but I seriously doubt any of it would be in anger.   

[PhoenixS4R]

I put that on, and aggressively move into your lane purposely doing half your speed.



amidoinitrite?

[Bigbore4]

I'd of made fun of him purely for the fact the pussy was riding a trike..................

+1

Hey Tony, email these guys:  http://mydouchecard.com/index.html

They are in town here and likely will mail you a couple.  Next time just hand one out the window.

[rgramjet]

Wouldnt that be brotherhood of trikers?