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Had to run down to Phoenix airport today to make the last FedEx drop off. I took the BMW K12LT as I had barely enough time and didn’t want to deal with traffic. Made it just in time and was headed back home. On the north bound hwy 51/101 exchange, traffic comes to a near stand still as the two lane overpass merges to one lane before dropping down and merging with the connecting freeway. We were all moving at about 4 mph and everyone was moving into position for the one lane merge. I placed myself in line just like everyone else so that every other car merged together. However, seems the 30 something lady next to me decided she wasn’t going to let me over. Being a bit stubborn I decided I was going to merge anyways and began to slowly move over to let her know I was coming to take my “rightful” spot in line. She was now about 12″ off the bumper of the car in front of her and at that point I was just about to pull the clutch in and let her go when she suddenly (if you can call moving/turning at 4mph sudden) turned into me broadside. She made contact with her front fender on my side and began pushing me off to the right. I had to dab my foot a couple times to keep it upright and just before she had pushed me all the way into the concrete wall (remember, we are still a good 30ft up over the other roadway) she straightens out then stops. I instantly gun the bike and pull in front of her blocking her. She hits the gas and stops inches from me blaring her horn continuously. In an instant I’m off the bike and headed her way. My blood was boiling as I got off the bike.

My first thoughts are pull her out of the car and throw her over the side. Must be my mature age because as I made my way around to her window I decided I’m just going to irritate her like nothing else. Wearing a black Aerostich, dark shield and standing 6′3″ I saw the hint of “oh shit” as I charged up to her side window. She was blocked and no where to go. I spent the next several minutes calmly describing what I thought of her then stated that she must be really in a hurry. By this time I think she realized I wasn’t going to pull her out of the car and toss her over the edge and she just let loose with the profanities towards me. In between breaths I informed her that I was not in a hurry to be anywhere and that I had her so boxed in the only way out was to run the bike over and frankly I’d like her to do so as there are a couple new models I was interested in getting. You should have heard the screaming at that point. I simply stepped back and leaned against the concrete wall and waited. Then waited, waited and then waited some more. She yelled for a good 5 minutes before finally growing weary. I continued to sit there in silence watching the cars behind us squeeze past. She wasn’t going anywhere and neither was I.

After a good 12-15 minutes I got up and walked over to the bike. I knew she was thinking I was getting back on and finally leaving but I simply turned on the stereo, cranked up the volume and went back to sit on the wall. It was a good 2-3 minutes before the profanities began to die down once again. A few minutes later she began holding the horn down and screaming at the passing cars that I was attacking her and holding her hostage. I never moved other than tapping my hand on my thigh to the music.

I don’t know how long we actually sat there but lets just say the only reason I got on the bike was due to the traffic buildup behind was was nearly gone and giving her a way out. I walked up to her car again and she let out another onslaught of verbal abuse. I told her to back her car up so that I could get back on the bike and hoped that she had enjoyed the time we had together as much as I did. She layed on the horn and screamed once again but did back up and I went about my merry way….ride safe out there everyone!!