My family and I rode to the doughnut shop the other morning, and I have to say it was one of the most enjoyable rides I’ve had in a long time.The company helped, but I was struck by how infrequently I was, well, almost struck.Cars gave all of us a wide berth. Drivers let us go out of turn at traffic signals and smiled behind their windshields, gleefully waving us through stop signs and hanging back – way back – as they approached from behind.Later that same day, on my commute to work, one driver cut in front of me and turned right, forcing me to take evasive action to avoid becoming a smear. Later, another car turned left in front of me on Mass. Street, again eliciting an emergency squeeze of the brakes.At first I chalked up the difference to the “mood” of the traffic.I hate to stereotype, but it seems folks collectively drive differently at different times of the day.Drivers during the morning rush (like I see many of those) seem to me more laid-back – “Sorry, boss, I’m late, but I got behind a slow guy on a bike ” – than those during the evening drive time — “GET OUT OF MY WAY, BIKER BOY, I’VE GOT A DATE WITH A PIZZA AND ‘AMERICAN IDOL!”I’ve always considered Saturday overnight to be the time most likely to get hit, while Friday night/Saturday morning seems to be the time most likely to get hit by a projectile.Our doughnut run was a Sunday morning, and at first I just attributed our carefree jaunt around Planet Bikejoy to be a result of timing. All the Saturday partiers were still in bed, I reasoned, while folks filled with feel-good church vibes were showing their newfound fondness for their Almighty of choice with some goodwill toward men (and women and children).Then it dawned on me our idyllic ride was the result of the two ankle-biters we had in tow.That’s right, drivers were nice to all of us because my 10-year-old daughter Carlyn and 7-year-old son Brooks were along for the ride.Of course, I’m biased. I think my kids are awfully cute. But apparently something about Brooks wobbling along on his almost-too-big big-boy bike and Carlyn on her purple mountain bike with the Fourth of July streamers still in her spokes makes people drive friendly.Why that goodwill turns to outright rage in some drivers when they encounter a grown (or nearly grown) adult cyclist has me bewildered, but whatever. I guess I simply should enjoy my human shields while I can.Now if only I can find a way to have Brooks and Carlyn lead me out for my commutes to and from work …