Fair or am I just an A hole

My response: "Eh."

Could have been better response from both sides, but once you get to that point I've always been a fan of just "turn the other cheek" kind of choices for most circumstances. It could also have been worse. People get angry at each other, it happens.

I VERY much appreciate a quick on your left announcement, as even though I have a mirror on my left side, I have a tendency to get lost in my thoughts on long rides, and get startled when suddenly someone is right next to me.

Other than saying bless you, I probably would have been right there with you on the aggressive nature of your response. 

And yes you do get more impatient and mouthy as you age.  What is going to happen, they gonna beat up a 60 year old guy?

If this was a road race, then your comments could be taken as a little A hole-ish.  No reason for the guy to drop the F bomb on you, but if you asked me to say "on your left" during a road race, I'd probably just ignore you.  It's just how road races are.  People expect you to be able to hold your line and ride in close proximity to others without freaking out.  Granted, I wasn't there, and am only trying to "imagine" the scenario in my head...but unless he was trying to impead your line, there is no reason for him to say anything. 

If this was a training ride, then the guy is a d-bag, and the use of his F bomb probably deserved your response...which I found pretty witty.

In hindsight there are always better ways to handle things but honestly I would have more than likely said something similar.  Don't sweat it, today's a new day!

There have been times though when I have had to pass on the right.  I always anounce it, but I won't cross the solid yellow line to pass another bike.  If you are going to ride slowly, ride to the right.  I have seen slow riders hug that center line and not let anyone pass on the left.

You're not wrong that some alert would be in order, but I'm going to say that you were wrong for not just stooping to his level, but elevating hostilities.

There's a big difference in my world between "F*** off" and a verbal threat.  Call me all the names you want and I'll let it roll off - life to short to let one stranger harsh my mellow - but, make any threat or posture that indicates there is a possibility of physical violence, and I go into guard dog mode.  I start assessing the threat and the best way to diffuse the situation.  I'll try to avoid violence, but It's not the 50's where things end with a punch to the nose...the scuffle ends when one of us is incapacitated.  Maybe it's just that I from Detroit...but do NOT give me reasonable cause to think you may intend to harm me. 

Hey some times you can never satisfy everyone, I got cursed at from one girl last year because I did called out passing on your left because it startled her because she didn't hear me comming up behind her, I was a good 8 feet back of her when I made the call as well.

Unfortunately I typically have the same responce as you and return ruddness and vulgarity in spades, I don't tend to do Calm well.

Sounds like its just one of those thing that tends to happen out there some days, he didn't really think about it and you reacted to his inapropriate comment s off the cuff so to speak.

In my opinion, during the ride is never as time to discuss something like this.  Especially if safety is your main concern.

If someones riding style is bothering you, get away from them (even if it means stopping) and if you have to address it at a later date, do so.

Hey you're not in San Antonio are you?  I know you're not, but this is funny to me because almost this exact scenario happened to me this weekend, only I was the guy who made the pass without calling "on your left" and the guy I passed got pissed and screamed at me when he caught up to me at the next stoplight for not saying anything when I passed.  I got pretty agitated because he was screaming at me and made some not so kind remarks back to him because of it.  But we weren't on a group ride or anything, and I gave him plenty of room when I passed.

I won't go into the whole story or anything, in hindsight I probably should have said something.  But it does go to show that there are always two sides to every story.  I'm sure that guy is on the interwebs somewhere saying the same thing to his buddies.

For me, I always get a kick out of someone being mad because something did or didn't happen that MIGHT have caused an accident. 

Nothing bad happened, and you still felt the need to correct the guy? 

I don't think that necessarily makes you an A hole....but if you're going to correct someone for not doing something you think they should have done, when nothing bad happened from what they didn't do to begin with, you might as well expect to get told to f-off.  That's not necessarily the right response either.....but it's certainly one way to respond.

I'm of the don't draft anyone you don't know rule.  Certainly don't draft if you don't announce you are back there.  Just not  smart.

I think I'm with you. Assuming you said all this stuff politely like you said, then this guy is an ahole. I do the same thing if I'm passing a solo rider. And I like when I'm alone to know if I'm about to get passed by a cyclist.  I probably would've reacted the same way as you to his attitude of you asking for basic cycling etiquette.

So you prefer to wait until an accident actually does happen to correct dangerous behavior?  That's the whole point is that telling the guy that "on your left" would be cool could prevent an accident. That's like saying the police shouldn't ticket someone for dangerous driving if it didn't actually cause an accident.  

Yeah, prevention and preventative measures are worthless.

Of course I see your point.....but you're still going to be told to f-off plenty of times.  If you want to be the "corrector", then expect to be told to f-off...it comes with the territory.

As for the part about "prevent an accident".....maybe, maybe not.  There are plenty of folks who break all kinds of rules and laws and never get involved in an accident.  The fact is, most accidents have absolutely nothing to do with "dangerous behavior"....they're just.....accidents.

I've been over the handle bars one time.....clipped the back wheel of a guy passing me when I looked back to see where my kid was and didn't hold my line very well.  He didn't say anything as he passed and I didn't hold my line.  We had a good laugh over it.