[tw: fat hate, verbal abuse, threats of violence]

This happened just earlier today and I’m honestly still shook up over it.

First, a bit of background. I live in a city that calls itself “bicycle-friendly” and as a result there are cyclists all over the place, many of whom tend to be thin, wealthy, white men. They seem to be a okay with taking liberties as far as the laws of the road go.

I was carpooling home from work today with some co-workers, driving them home. As we were headed back, I noticed a cyclist occupying what I felt was an unreasonable amount of space in the road. He was essentially taking up ½ of the lane.

I honked my horn and he immediately turned around and flipped me the bird! I was really upset by this, and the narrow roads were not helping this situation at all. After a while I was able to get around him, by having to go completely into the other lane and as I got around, I saw him middle finger raise up once more in my rear-view mirror. I’m also think I heard him yell some obscenities at me.

I thought this was over, but then I was caught at a red light and full-on saw him sprinting on his bike to catch me at the intersection. He then rolled up right next to my window and banged on it aggressively. I couldn’t believe how nasty he was as I rolled down my window, filled with fear and shock.

What he said to me next is undoubtedly going to trigger some of you, as it still does me.

“We got a problem, fatass? No, seriously? Do we? Apparently you think it’s cool to harass people who try to keep themselves fit, eh? Easy to act tough when you’re hiding in your @#$!ing car, isn’t it! Not so easy now!”

I tried to say something, but he talked over me and told me that he’d “pull me out of the car and teach me some manners” if I weren’t so heavy.

My co-workers, all of whom are quite “fit” (thin), were silent throughout this whole exchange.

The light finally turned green and the cyclist “gave me permission” to go, but not before throwing in a few more oh-so-clever quips about my weight.

Finally clear of him, I made a comment to my co-workers about how nasty the cyclist was, and here’s what hurt me the most.

They told me that I was in the wrong in this whole exchange and even went so far as to suggest that I had no idea how hard it is to be a cyclist in the city.

I know for a fact that they never would have said that to me had I not been fat.

To hell with those jerks, from now on?

They can ride their bikes to work since they loved that cyclist so much.

Maybe they can all ride together.