Attacks on Audax riders

zoomcp · May 2007

There have been an increasing number of attacks on riders participating on Audax rides across the country and mostly in the South East; just a few examples in the last few weekends;

A rider being pushed off by a car passenger on the Hailsham 400 on the A272; this rider was injured and abandoned the ride alone in the middle of the night.

Gravel and a cigarette butt thrown out of a window at a rider on the Hailsham 600 near Dungeness

An apple being thrown at another rider on the Hailsham 600

A rider being pushed off by the passenger in a van on the Hailsham 600 on the A272 between Midhurst and Petersfield; the rider was not badly injured but has decided to abandon his dream of riding PBP

A rider who was riding over from Gatwick on a B road to stay at my house prior to a ride the next day had his hair interfered with by a car passenger, when he complained the car driver turned the car around and drove towards him on the wrong side of the road

If anyone has any similar experiences (on any ride for that matter)

will they please put them up here? we are currently considering how best to bring this spate of attacks to the attention of the media

thanks

Martin

Fnaar · May 2007

I wouldn't have thought that the drivers/passengers have any idea that the riders are participating in Audaxes, so it's attacks on cyclists, though the fact that some attacks happen at night is obviously relevant. Sorry, that doesn't particularly help, but ...

More tea, vicar? [:D]

Unknown · May 2007

"considering how best to bring this spate of attacks to the attention of the media"

Bit double-edged that surely? Won't deter the existing scum (in fact publicity will probably just encourage them), might give the idea to more of 'em?

d.j.
"Like a true nature's child,
We were born,
Born to drink mild"

Cannock Chase · May 2007

Agreed. The fact it was an Audax event is probably irrelevant but nasty anyway.
This unfortunately is something cyclists in this country will have to put up with until such a time cycling is once again accepted as a sensible way to exercise or travel.
My worst experience was when a car drove slowly past me and a rear seat passenger leant right out and attempted to drop a lighted cigarette end down the back of my neck.

I'm not getting old...I'm just getting more stupid...

zoomcp · May 2007

Yes it's not an exclusively Audax problem; just that all the events I listed happened on two rides (or connected with them) and were circulated around other riders, I'm sure there have been as many incidents against other cyclists peacefully going about their business which have gone unreported.

Joe Sacco · May 2007

Unless it is just an Audax related problem, not helped by those who Audax looking so weird and beardy. Are they bringing it on themselves maybe?

Archcp · May 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Joe Sacco

Unless it is just an Audax related problem, not helped by those who Audax looking so weird and beardy. Are they bringing it on themselves maybe?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Oh, come on Joe, that's a bit Bonjy for you. Like blaming pedestrians for getting knocked over...

I've never done an Audax, but I know people who do, and not one of them has a beard.

If I had a baby elephant, it could help me clean the car. If I had a car.

Unknown · May 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Joe Sacco

Unless it is just an Audax related problem, not helped by those who Audax looking so weird and beardy. Are they bringing it on themselves maybe?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

So, if they shaved off their beards and removed their mudguards, they'd be ok?

Tourist Tony · May 2007

It's my area, as Martin knows, and it does have a real problem with attacks on cyclists. I don't think it's anything to do with Audax, just that someone on a longer ride event is much more likely to be around at "nutter time". It will be interesting to see what happens on Friday's Night Ride.

If I had a stalker, I would hug it and kiss it and call it George...or Dick

trustysteed · May 2007

don't ride in Hailsham, it's well dodgy by the sounds of it!

today's baby elephants are tomorrow's circus heroes

Tourist Tony · May 2007

It is a town of....varying areas.

If I had a stalker, I would hug it and kiss it and call it George...or Dick

Unknown · May 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Tourist Tony

It is a town of....varying areas.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Gulp......and when's "nutter time?" [:0]

Asterixcp · May 2007

Sounds quite localised. Could the problem be due to the same small number of degenerates?

Pour vivre heureux, vivons le v‚lo..

Joe Sacco · May 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Patrick Stevens

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Joe Sacco

Unless it is just an Audax related problem, not helped by those who Audax looking so weird and beardy. Are they bringing it on themselves maybe?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

So, if they shaved off their beards and removed their mudguards, they'd be ok?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Possibly, worth trying to see if it helps surely. Nothing to lose anyway as we all know beards and mudguards are for losers...

maybrick · May 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Joe Sacco
Posted -

Possibly, worth trying to see if it helps surely. Nothing to lose anyway as we all know beards and mudguards are for losers...
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

overdone with the vodka on your cornflakes this morning luv?

_______________

baby elephants!!? i love 'em, what do you think my jacket's made from?

Gavin Gilbert · May 2007

There was a spate of attacks which resulted a serious injury to a eldery cyclist last summer around the Princes Risborough area.

I recall Peter Turnball being pushed into a ditch during one of the Invicata events by chavs, and I had a bottle thrown at me from a speeding car whilst 'north of Slough' last week. It's not an Audax specific problem, and it has gotten worse since the Clarkson tirades. Whilst some here may argue that Clarkson is ironic, it passes over the heads of the muppets that watch him.

<hr noshade size="1">I'll have an organic decaff skinny goats milk cappuccino with fairtrade chocolate in a recycled cup to go please

Joe Sacco · May 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by maybrick

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Joe Sacco
Posted -

Possibly, worth trying to see if it helps surely. Nothing to lose anyway as we all know beards and mudguards are for losers...
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

overdone with the vodka on your cornflakes this morning luv?

_______________

baby elephants!!? i love 'em, what do you think my jacket's made from?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Nope, the usual small glass of Absolut was applied. Why?

zoomcp · May 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Asterix

Sounds quite localised. Could the problem be due to the same small number of degenerates?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

naah they couldn't negotiate the A272 for more than 20k without getting lost.

gordonbennett · June 2007

Reminds me of why I emigrated from England - thank goodness!

Black Keith · June 2007

yeah that really helps

__________________________

geoffnelder · June 2007

I live not far from Patrick and often cycle Chester to Llangollen and the region. Only twice in the last 6 years have I been afflicted by passing vehicles - both by white van passengers. One while puffing up the hill in Denbeigh town centre when a passenger thought it amusing to yell in my ear. Another near Ruabon when a white minibus full of kids passed and one threw an apple hard at my head - missed.

I always carry a camera with the intention of adding to my collection of interesting views. I wonder though if I stopped and snapped the disappearing vehicle and so recorded registration plate and description would that lead to them doing a U-turn and...

Geoff

Hilarious dangerous bike ride in my book Escaping Reality. Check it out at http://geoffnelder.com/ERinfo.htm

bonk man · June 2007

I had a lolly pop thrown at me from a chav mobile on our hilly time trial , maybe he thought I looked in need of refreshment[:(!]....
Its not a new phenomena one of my club mates [and forum member] was deliberately run down by a car driver some years ago.
If you can get the number do so and report it, even better if you have a witness as the police will take these incidents seriously [usually].
I wouldn't recommend taking any one on in fisticuffs unless you are good a the sport, but if you do get your punches in quick and nick the car keys , ride a safe distance away then report the driver for assaulting you..... if only .. just once...[:)]

Club rides are for sheep

Unknown · June 2007

its not just road bikers, there is a van drives round near me that honked and the passenger shouted in my friends ear, he was on his mountain bik and for some reason has mountain biking gloves with carbon nuckles, his instinctive reaction was to shove with his right hand, breaking the van's side window, they shouted again, and he left a dint in the side of the van (still there)

he had the benefit of it being in the city center so he dived down into the subway under the main road so he couldnt be followed.

ankev1 · June 2007

Seems to me that the only thing which all cyclist can do is to try and condition themselves to getting the number of the offending vehicle. Maybe you could train yourself into this by getting into the habit of noting all car numbers as they pass and then when one of them does get out of order it might become a bit more of an instinct to take note of it as opposed to being completely preoccupied with the difficulty caused. Easy said, I know, but surely worth a thought.

Unknown · June 2007

so was this during the night? over weekends? then I'd guess not even really cycling related but the usual 'friday' night late antics for some, if it wasn't cyclists it might be some lone ped walking by etc.

On the 8th day God made a bicycle, and he saw that it was good. (actually personally he thought it was his best invention yet)

Unknown · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by ankev1

Seems to me that the only thing which all cyclist can do is to try and condition themselves to getting the number of the offending vehicle. Maybe you could train yourself into this by getting into the habit of noting all car numbers as they pass and then when one of them does get out of order it might become a bit more of an instinct to take note of it as opposed to being completely preoccupied with the difficulty caused. Easy said, I know, but surely worth a thought.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

i cant remember my pin number for my card nor my own numberplate!

bianchi 1 · June 2007

Some lads hung out of a car window as they passed me in a TT once, waving a open porno mag at me. quite threw me off my rhythm.
On a more serious note I often cycle home after work which can be 10:30pm to 1:30 am. I learnt very quickly never to be on my bike at 11:30 ( pub Kicking out time )
as this was the most dangerous time. It has improved with the advent of later drinking hours, except i now go out after work instead of going home!

cougie · June 2007

Nowt to do with Audax, but we were hassled in Wales yesterday - not holding up traffic or anything - nice fast wide A road, and some tw@t does the beeping thing, pulls alongside to gesture and scream incomprehensible words at us, then tears off after swerving in front.

For some reason I wanna have words with him and knowing theres a junction at the bottom of the hill I drop it a few gears and take after him - then he flashes his Warning lights at me ? Whats that about ?

Anyway - phoned North Wales Police tonight to report it and I feel a lot happier about it. Hope he gets a visit. Absolutely pointless.

CometGirl · June 2007

Two of the riders I was with on the Invicta 400 were pushed by a group of yobs in a car just outside Maidstone. They were holding the passenger out of the car window by his ankles so he could get a good swipe at each of us - he missed me but got two others, who fortunately didn't fall off but it's still unpleasant. I only wish his mates had dropped him [:(!]

And Joe? I ride audax and I don't have a beard. [;)]

Joe Sacco · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by CometGirl

Two of the riders I was with on the Invicta 400 were pushed by a group of yobs in a car just outside Maidstone. They were holding the passenger out of the car window by his ankles so he could get a good swipe at each of us - he missed me but got two others, who fortunately didn't fall off but it's still unpleasant. I only wish his mates had dropped him [:(!]

And Joe? I ride audax and I don't have a beard. [;)]
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I don't wish to know about your shaving habits. On second thoughts.

CometGirl · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Joe Sacco

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by CometGirl

Two of the riders I was with on the Invicta 400 were pushed by a group of yobs in a car just outside Maidstone. They were holding the passenger out of the car window by his ankles so he could get a good swipe at each of us - he missed me but got two others, who fortunately didn't fall off but it's still unpleasant. I only wish his mates had dropped him [:(!]

And Joe? I ride audax and I don't have a beard. [;)]
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I don't wish to know about your shaving habits. On second thoughts.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

[:D]

I think we all look pretty normal here....

Attacks on Audax riders

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