On my commute, I mingle with runners, walkers and dog owners.
There are two mutually exclusive encounters.
1. See other path user, as I approach I slow down, ring bell (if approaching from behind), we give each other space, both parties smile, I say thanks, we all carry on with our lives having not been assholes.
2. See other path user (in this case almost always a dog owner), as I approach I slow down, ring bell (if approaching from behind), path user stands in my way, I ring bell again / say “excuse me”, path user now stands aside with a face like a slapped backside (if dog owner, dog stands aside at other side of the path, ready to run across path as I pass), I smile and say thanks, path user glares at me as if I am tresspassing on their path, I lose my good humour and say “cheer up, a smile won’t kill you” and we carry on with at least one of us having been an asshole.
Sounds like your wife was a number 1 and in no way deserved to be shouted at by the asshole MTBer. Idiots in all walks of life, eh?