Bicycle Intimidation

Every morning as I stroll to work I notice this or that, something new at a persons home or yard, that the owner put up more Christmas lights, or that the street sweepers had been by. I always notice the die hard bicyclists because they have gear beyond gear. It has been very beautiful (but chilly) this past week and I have seen more and more cyclist with more and more clothes. But this is not a story about bicycle clothes or gear it is about one lone cyclist.
I had just walked past SE Stephens and was approaching SE Harrison. Harrison is a very busy bike street because it is pretty much downhill from Mt. Tabor to downtown. I have learned to do what was taught to me in 3rd grade - STOP/LOOK/LISTEN. I can hear the cars coming from either direction but bicycles are stealth. I have stepped off the curb a couple of times to notice a bike flying in front of my face - it only took a couple of times to learn that I might want to slow down and not get RAN DOWN by a cyclist.
This particular walk to work I will never forget. As I approached Harrison, I looked up the hill and saw no one zooming down. I still didn't trust that look and when I got to the curb I stopped again and looked left. There - all of a sudden - was this guy on his bike with his bright yellow jacket and those funny bug yellow wrap around glasses slamming on his brakes to the point of a loud shrill and the back tire popping up. He came to a dead stop from a 40 mile an hour downhill - to give me the dirtiest look I have ever seen. I want to remind you I had not stepped off the curb. So, I smiled (the best I could) and said, "go ahead sir." Without a word or facial movement, he just stared me down until I was so intimidated that I ran across the street in front of him. As I looked back to try and give him a dirty look, he was four blocks down the hill with his messanger bag basically giving me the finger.