Are there any multi-use paths around your house. They can be a good way to get out there and not have to worry about traffic.

Also, it might help to remember that the world is full of morons. The other day, some total moron was cleaning his paint spraying machine near my car, and sprayed my entire dark-blue car white. I found who it was, and confronted him, and he was a total douche bag about the whole thing. And, through all of this, I had to keep reminding myself that God has forced me to share the planet with so many freaking stupid people, and I just have to accept it.

When it comes down to it, there are plenty of drivers out there who will yell at cyclists because they're idiots. But there are very few who would run you off the road intentionally. They're the same idiots who would hold up a liquor store or beat up their girlfriend though, so (hopefully) they're few and far between. Accidents happen, but they're rare.

Try to find some slow roads with big shoulders until you feel comfortable riding your normal routes. Oh, and I'm sorry that you had an experience like that. I hate feeling afraid to do the things I love because of jerks. Hopefully you'll be able to get back out there.

The best thing to do is ignore them. If it becomes a real problem try to get the license plate and report them to the police. I have been hit three times (one a hit and run), I have had bottles (glass) thrown at me and yelled and beeped so many times I can't remember and I live in a suburb. So I say get on your bike and don't be intimidated by them because they will always be out there and if your not out there riding than they win.

I've had a person in a big truck yell something at me before, even when I was riding well within a big shoulder. I was mad and right away wanted to flip them off or show my anger some other way. But I've heard that actions like that only fuel people's rage towards cyclists. You could always give them a happy wave and confuse them :)

find a group to ride with to get your riding mojo back

you have a place out there on the road
go enjoy it

Keep your wits about you if it happens again. Get a license number. Meanwhile look into your local laws on this kind of thing. Here in Maryland, that's considered assault.
Try to get out with a local group or find some riding partners...find a multi-use trail like the wise ChunkyB suggested. Don't let this get you down...You have a right to be there.
Like swimmer52...I wave and say "Thanks!"

If you don't get back on...they win.
If you do get back on...you win.
Don't let them win. They're idiots.

I was tempted to start this same thread a few weeks back--I was riding my usual route in a rural part of Minnesota. The few neighbors around there are used to seeing me, and most smile and wave. But as I neared my own home two jack asses pulled slowly out of their driveway a few hundred feet ahead of me. I smelled trouble. I kept my head down and passed them as they waited and something hit the ground behind me (aimed in my direction of course). I didn't turn around, but then they squealed out, passed me making a very obscene hand gesture no girl cares for, and sped off. Thing was, that was pretty close to home, where I usually feel quite safe.

Unfortunately, this was not my first run-in with jerks on the road. I've heard a lot of dirty words out there, and I've always stuck to bicycle routes and/or huge shoulders. So what I was wondering is if anyone of you has gotten involved with your local city council or something to try to be even more proactive about teaching drivers to share the road. I ask because I currently live in a town that just isn't that used to seeing a lot of cyclists. Some people just respond negatively to new or uncommon things. So I was wondering what sorts of programs people have undertaken/recommend/dream of to encourage mutual driver/cyclist safety. On the typical city budget of nill, of course.

+1 on the waving. I used to get pissed and flip people off, but then I figured it probably pisses them off more if I wave and smile. Plus, I don't spike my heart rate getting myself all worked up over nothing. Plus, when you flip people off, you get idiots like a guy I ran across a couple of years back who actually pulled over and started doing his best Yosemite Sam impression in the middle of 4 lane highway (yes, he had his hat in his hand and he was yelling as he jumped up and down in the middle of the road). Pretty funny in hind sight, but I was happy there was enough road for me to steer clear of him.

Like many other said above, don't let the idiots win. Get back out there and do what you love. Stay strong.

Braden

Yeah, now that school is out for the summer around here. It seems the number of kids blaring their horns when they get right beside me has gone way up.
So hard to stay ready for it the entire ride.
I don't wave, I don't flip em. I visualize their car exploding

that's just me tho' :-)

Freedom isn't free!