“Jesus, that was close.”
“Woah, this driver is crazy.”
“What an absolute prick…”
“Guys, please, back off and leave them be…”
“We’re not going to win this argument.”
“I know it’s dangerous, but this isn’t the time to have the debate.”
“Let’s just stay safe.”
A Scenic Descent Turns Sour
It was the end of August, and we were out in the Dolomites riding some of the spectacular passes around Corvara and the Alta Badia region. Descending the Passo Pordoi, we had a very nasty encounter with a driver who was clearly frustrated by the slow progress of the local bus in front, and by the fact that several cyclists were also descending at the same time.
As you’ll know, there aren’t many overtaking spots on mountain descents, and we all—drivers, motorcyclists, and cyclists alike—have to go slower than we’d like. And while it’s easy to get frustrated, patience really is the only safe option.
The Flashpoint
In this case, the tension built as a cyclist repeatedly leapfrogged a car, unable to pass the bus. The real flashpoint came when the cyclist tried to undertake the driver on a right-hand hairpin—a reckless move that was both shocking and dangerous.
There was a lot of beeping and gesticulating, but the cyclist managed to nip past the bus and disappear, leaving our group as the nearest targets for the driver’s anger.
A Dangerous Dance
As the road wound down the mountain, we found ourselves caught in a cycle: the bus would slow at each tight bend, allowing us to edge forward, only for the car to overtake us again when the road straightened. Each overtake became closer, more aggressive—until the driver began brake-checking us.
At that point, I told our group to back off. There was nothing to be gained by continuing this dangerous dance. Unfortunately, one of our riders, understandably upset, tried to communicate his frustration with gestures—only making things worse. The driver and passengers responded in kind, and the situation escalated to the point where I was genuinely worried for our safety.
Keeping Perspective
The truth is simple: no matter who’s in the right, a cyclist in Lycra will never win an argument with a driver surrounded by a tonne of metal. Thankfully, we reached the bottom of the descent without incident, but those few minutes were frightening and left me feeling powerless.
I know incidents like this are common, not just on mountain roads. But I’d urge everyone to keep their cool—because we’re all vulnerable out there. I’ve yet to hear of anyone who managed to de-escalate a road rage situation by shouting or waving their arms.
Staying Safe and Staying Smart
The only time we can make our point safely is when we’re stopped, calm, and off the bike. It’s easy to say from a café seat, but in the heat of the moment it takes real composure to step back.
When these situations happen—and they will—the best thing to do is to back off, stay calm, and prioritise safety. If you later catch up with the driver while stationary, you might politely explain that their behaviour was frightening. That’s far more likely to make a difference than trading abuse mid-descent.
I’m not saying we should hug the gutter or disappear into the verge—just that sometimes the safer option is to diffuse rather than escalate.
So please, ride safe, and take care, we’re never going to win against over a tonne of metal.
