How a Clipped-In Cyclist Served Up Petty Revenge in a Parking Lot Traffic Jam
Picture this: you’re on your bike, weaving through a slow-motion car ballet in a parking lot so congested, it’d make a sardine can blush. You’ve just enjoyed coffee with a friend, you’re feeling good, clipped into your pedals, ready to escape the chaos—when suddenly, a truck behind you decides to play “Fast and the Furious: Aggro Edition.” What could possibly go wrong?
Well, as one Redditor from r/PettyRevenge discovered, quite a lot. But as the story unfolded, it turned out that sometimes the best way to teach an impatient driver a lesson is to let gravity—and a little embarrassment—do the work.
Let’s set the scene: A shopping center parking lot, one side blocked by construction. There’s only one real exit, the kind that forces all traffic—cars and bikes alike—into a two-lane bottleneck at a traffic light. Our protagonist (u/bandrow) is a seasoned cyclist, choosing two wheels precisely because parking at this lot is “not saying improbability drive improbable, but fairly uncertain.” (Bonus points for the Douglas Adams reference, which, as u/newuser2250 gleefully noticed, got some nerd love in the comments.)
Navigating through the stopped cars, OP tries to be as considerate as possible—rolling along, aiming not to disrupt the four-wheeled masses. But that’s when our main character meets his antagonist: a guy in a truck, eager to turn right. The truck lunges forward, inching menacingly close to OP’s back wheel, “nudging” him in the universal language of hurry-up. Problem is, balance on a bike—especially when clipped into the pedals—depends on momentum. And when traffic in front is stationary, a little “nudge” from behind can turn a balancing act into a slapstick tumble.
And tumble OP did—right in front of the truck. Suddenly, the light is green, the other lane is flowing, but the truck is stuck behind a cyclist who’s now leisurely picking himself up, checking for rips in his pants, and, as the post says, “in absolutely no hurry to get back on my bike or to get out of his way.” Petty revenge, served slow and slightly bruised.
The comments section, as always, was a goldmine. “Well done mate, you showed that dumbarse in the truck some road etiquette!” cheered u/PrestigiousAd5745, echoing the collective joy of anyone who’s ever been bullied by a larger vehicle. And many agreed: sometimes the only way to teach patience is to give people no other choice.
But not everyone saw it as a clear-cut victory for Team Bike. A debate broke out over the use of clip-in pedals in heavy traffic. “Serious question, why did you clip into your bike?” asked u/Azzacura, suggesting that in such unpredictable stop-and-go conditions, being clipped in might be more trouble than it’s worth. Several commenters, notably u/knouqs, offered an expert breakdown: for many cyclists, especially those on racing or performance bikes, the pedals are designed to work best (or only) when clipped in. Unclipped, the metal-on-metal is “slippery,” and most cyclists are pros at clipping in and out—except when a “Captain Asshat” is threatening to make them a hood ornament. Stress slows reaction time, and a little intimidation goes a long way toward making a simple maneuver complicated.
OP chimed back in, noting that “clipping into my bike is easier than not doing it because I would need to clip in at some point or fall down for another reason; usually does not cause issues.” In other words, the system works—until someone decides to introduce a vehicular variable.
Of course, it wouldn’t be Reddit without someone taking the trucker’s side (or just stirring the pot). “Biker's fault,” claimed one commenter, but their voice was quickly drowned out by those pointing out that, legally and ethically, cyclists have just as much right to the road—and to the lane—when they feel endangered. “Most drivers do not know this because they don’t care,” said u/knouqs, in a moment of weary cyclist solidarity.
Then there were the comedians: “This story seems improbable,” winked u/SecretOscarOG, and “Sigh, it’s always a guy with a truck. Can we make those illegal already?!” joked u/Ohaibaipolar. Even the classic “42” made an appearance, because, well, that’s the answer to everything—especially in a story with a Douglas Adams Easter egg.
The thread also sparked a mini-lesson in cycling culture: not all bikes have clip-in pedals, and for many everyday riders, simple flat pedals and regular shoes suffice. But for those who do ride clipped in, it’s second nature—until adrenaline and fear conspire to turn a split-second decision into an accidental lesson for the impatient.
So, what’s the takeaway from this tale of minor mishap and maximum inconvenience? As OP so perfectly sums up: “Don’t freak out a biker in traffic or you will have to wait a very long time.” It’s a gentle reminder for drivers everywhere: a few seconds’ patience beats a few minutes of fuming. And for cyclists? Sometimes the best revenge is just picking yourself up, dusting yourself off, and making sure the guy behind you gets a masterclass in waiting his turn.
Have you ever served or received a bit of petty revenge on the road? Drop your stories in the comments below—just remember, we’re all trying to get home in one piece (with as few grass stains as possible). Ride safe, and may your improbability drive never jam at the exit.
Original Reddit Post: Freak me out while I bike? Ok guess I will fall over and now you have to wait