Can someone please explain!

It's been an interesting week on the bike for me. I have survived firecrackers, bottle rockets, and road rage. I had two incidents on the 4th involving fireworks. A young "gentleman", I use the term loosely, threw a pack of lit firecrackers my way as I proceeded through a stoplight with him and his buddies. Luckily, his aim was off and it passed by. It did scare the crap out of me. The second incident occurred about 45 minutes later the same evening. I had two bottle rockets sent my way from a yard as I rode by. This one passed closer and exploded in front of me. Again, code brown check had to be taken. I don't understand??? Why is it fun to throw anything at anyone that could potentially cause harm?

The last incident occurred this evening as I was finishing my ride. A "polite and courteous" driver came up behind me as I was preparing for a left hand turn, laid on his horn, and passed within six inches of my right side and turned left. As I was passing his house, he yelled obscenities at me as I drove by...in front of his daughter. I stopped. I know I shouldn't. But, I just can't let a person say those things to me. I politely....yes, politely and calmly, informed him that I have the same right as a motor vehicle and must abide the same laws that apply to motor vehicles. I also informed him of the new Utah law that gives cyclists 3 feet. All, he could say was... "whatever (with the eye roll) I'm a long time bike rider and you F%#$'* don't what the F%# you're talking about. You have no F*^#'@ right to that F%#$'* lane and you were in it for F%#$'* 1/4 of a mile. Just wait until you're a F%#$'* road bump because I didn't F%#$'* see you until I was F%#$'*"right behind you". Does anyone else see the slip up in his story?

I just don't get it. As a father why would you say those type of derogatory words about women in front of his daughter and, eventually, his wife? If he was a long time biker, why would he treat a fellow cyclist like that? If he was a long time cyclist, why would not know the rules of the road. I just don't get it. Thanks for letting me rant.