Saving it for the other guy

On my return this morning from a nice weekend autumn ride, I had a strange incident. Less than 3 miles from my home, riding north on Broadway, I caught up to a cyclist. Without sprinting, I passed by him. After about 10 seconds he zoomed right past me and yelled something.

I was listening to my iPod so I didn’t quite catch what he said, but he shook his head after pulling ahead of me. Whatever. I made nothing of it, and just assumed he was pissed at something else, like one of the gazillion town cars in this part of town.

At the next red light I pulled right next to him and turned off the iPod. I wanted to extend some courtesy to a fellow rider, ask him about his ride. He just gave me a cold stare.

I asked him, “What’s up?”

“Sometimes you gotta save it for the other guy,” he retorted.

Finally grokking that he’s completely pissed at me and suspecting it had something to do with me passing him in the first place, I asked, “Why, what happened?”

Without letting me finish the question, he replies in an elevated voice, “You know what happened!” and then rides up 15 feet, ending our exchange.

Apparently, he got really mad at me and no longer wished to continue our acquaintance. I wanted to plead, to try to salvage what little is left of our shared experience, see if we have a chance. But I knew the wound is fresh, and this was not the right time.

Despite his arguing that I know what I did, I don’t. But I nevertheless felt remorseful for whatever it is that I might have done. I kept on his wheel for the next half-mile or so, giving him enough space to think things over, maybe reconsider his decision. But then I had to peel off. And he continued on his angry way.

And now I’m left, once again, rehashing my actions, his reactions, and how things could have been different. Should I have not passed him? Should I have used different words? Should I have tried harder to win him back? Really, he needs to know that I’m a nice guy and a courteous cyclist. In this world of lawlessness and town cars, I’m on his side. I’m a team player. I would save it for the other guy, if given a chance. I just don’t know what it is, or who the other guy is.

And so, I’d like to apologize to anonymous cyclists and other guys I may have passed and pissed, both in the past and in the future. And if you’re the guy from this morning, can we at least still be friends?