Hit & Run van driver near Avebury Saturday 06.12.08

WillonaYeti
WillonaYeti Posts: 10
edited December 2008 in MTB general
How some b5&*ard spoilt a great ride on saturday.
Me and two mates were out riding the ridgeway on saturday, it was a lovely sunny day and we saw plenty of other riders out doing the same. We got as far as Avebury and decided to head back to Hackpen hill on the main A4361as it was quicker. We'd just gone past a layby and I noticed two vehicles, a Dark metallic grey van, similar size to a Transit connect, and a small silver 4x4 like a Toyota Rav 4. I noticed a group of lads out of the vehicles talking as we went by on the other side of the road, and didn't think anything more of it. About 100 yards later I looked round to check where my mates were, they were about 50 yards behind so decided to continue up the slight incline and stop at the top. About 30 seconds later from out of nowhere, the same van I had just seen struck me on the arm with the van door mirror and side of the veficle, and I was knocked into the verge and onto it. I was trying to prevent myself from going headlong into the ditch and reading his registration plate at the same time. He slowed slightly and started weaving about from side to side but carried on driving, and then as I checked my arm the other vehicle came past sounding his horn. My mates sdaid that they also tried to get as close to them as they possibly could without actually hitting them so my guess is this was a deliberate act. I just can't understand the mentality of someone like that, and I am counting myself very lucky that I did not get seriously injured.
When I reported the number I thought I had seen, the police said there was no number traced, so either it was slightly different or a false plate.
If anyone else is out riding in the North/ East Wilts area, please can you keep an eye out for these vehicles, as I am concerned they could easily do this again.

Comments

  • Danlube
    Danlube Posts: 454
    F***ing W*****rs, that really angered me reading that! You should invest in a helmet cam and record the f***ers, IF they do it again 'touch wood'

    Thats why i avoid major roads, i usually throw my rig into the bike rack and drive to my trails...the car also serves as a mobile bike surgery :D
    Kona Tanuki Deluxe
  • .blitz
    .blitz Posts: 6,197
    Sounds like you had a lucky escape Will, a bit closer and you could've been seriously injured. Gotta agree with Sharky tho, the main roads are not the best place to ride an MTB. Some nobber could have you off just to get your bike.
  • .blitz
    .blitz Posts: 6,197
    Sounds like you had a lucky escape Will, a bit closer and you could've been seriously injured. Gotta agree with Sharky tho, the main roads are not the best place to ride an MTB. Some nobber could have you off just to get your bike.
  • .blitz
    .blitz Posts: 6,197
    Sounds like you had a lucky escape Will, a bit closer and you could've been seriously injured. Gotta agree with Sharky tho, the main roads are not the best place to ride an MTB. Some nobber could have you off just to get your bike.
  • 4rse holes

    whats the registration you got at the time?
  • Agree with comments that the main roads are not the best place to ride, but we frequently ride between trails around here on the main roads, and never had a problem before. However, that particular road is very fast flowing as it's right out in the country so probably one to avoid. What annoyed me, was as soon as the police heard nobody was injured, they weren't interested. They said if you want to make a formal complaint, go to your local station. When I went in, the lady at the desk said they gets hundreds of these reports every day. Does that mean that things like this are happening all the time but nobody is being prosecuted?

    Tempestas, the reg I thought I saw was Y554 UHU but it could have been YS54.
    Anyway it was a dark metallic grey compact van. Keep your eyes peeled.
  • Willona, checking the Experian DVLA database, I can't find a match for either of those plates :? Could it have been anything else?
  • thebluefox,
    Thanks for checking. When I spoke to the police, they said they would try different combinations of what I told them, but said it was unlikely that they could trace the vehicle even if that was the correct number, as It didn't match any vehicle,as you state. Which makes me think it was false plates. Especially if you think someone is so cocky that they can go round threatening other road users lives, safe in the knowledge nobody will be able to trace them.
  • Danlube
    Danlube Posts: 454
    Go find the vehicle, and ride over it, with muddy tyres.
    Kona Tanuki Deluxe
  • thebluefox,
    Thanks for checking. When I spoke to the police, they said they would try different combinations of what I told them, but said it was unlikely that they could trace the vehicle even if that was the correct number, as It didn't match any vehicle,as you state. Which makes me think it was false plates. Especially if you think someone is so cocky that they can go round threatening other road users lives, safe in the knowledge nobody will be able to trace them.

    No problem, sorry I couldn't be of any more help. Is c*nts like this that never get caught until its too late and they've got somebody killed.