Not the expected outcome...

CyclingBantam

Cycled in to work this morning. About 100 - 150 meters ahead is a cross roads with the lights on red, therefore traffic queued up. A lorry comes past me quite close, then, a 4x4 (one of the smaller flash ones) fly's past me far to close and far too fast. I'm thinking, what is the point in that seeing as you can see you have to stop just ahead of me now. As I look in the car, what a surprise, on his mobile.

I pull out into the middle of the road to re-overtake him as there was no space on the left, he had had to slam on to stop behind the other cars, and get to the front in the ASL. As I go past him, I looked in his window and said "Get off your phone". I then continued to roll forward and cut in to the left hand side of the lane so I was at the front ready. As I am rolling along he shouts "Oi, What did you say" at the top of his voice (In an aggressive way). "I said, get off your phone you d1kc". (I shouldn't have used the profanity but I was a bit frustrated and am trying to be balanced here!)

"Oi Come here" (And the sound of a door opening)

Ah! Now at this point I had 2 options, one was to go there. Unsurprisingly this wasn't the favoured approach. A bit like when your parents say "come here whilst I smack you" you think, you have hardly sold it to me have you!

I took the second option. I jumped the red light :oops: (It is the 1st time I have ever jumped a light) to make a left turn at the cross roads. The cars were just starting to come through so I wasn't joining speeding traffic. I then pelted it down the hill whilst also hoping he hadn't jumped the lights as well.

Turns out he hadn't and I didn't see him again. What sort of mentalist would get out to potentially attack someone after being told to stop using their mobile whilst driving. He will be at home now giving the wife a good kicking!

The best bit was, I think he shet himself when I said stop using your phone and seemed to drop it (As he would have done knowing he shouldn't be on it!)

I feel bad because I am in little doubt he will take out his anger on the next cyclist he sees by cutting them up or worse. In future though what must I do? Just ignore it and let them carry on oblivious (in every sense of the word!)

Gazzaputt

If you can't back the words up...........

DonDaddyD

BenBlyth wrote:

Cycled in to work this morning. About 100 - 150 meters ahead is a cross roads with the lights on red, therefore traffic queued up. A lorry comes past me quite close, then, a 4x4 (one of the smaller flash ones) fly's past me far to close and far too fast. I'm thinking, what is the point in that seeing as you can see you have to stop just ahead of me now. As I look in the car, what a surprise, on his mobile.

I pull out into the middle of the road to re-overtake him as there was no space on the left, he had had to slam on to stop behind the other cars, and get to the front in the ASL. As I go past him, I looked in his window and said "Get off your phone". I then continued to roll forward and cut in to the left hand side of the lane so I was at the front ready. As I am rolling along he shouts "Oi, What did you say" at the top of his voice (In an aggressive way). "I said, get off your phone you d1kc". (I shouldn't have used the profanity but I was a bit frustrated and am trying to be balanced here!)

"Oi Come here" (And the sound of a door opening)

Ah! Now at this point I had 2 options, one was to go there. Unsurprisingly this wasn't the favoured approach. A bit like when your parents say "come here whilst I smack you" you think, you have hardly sold it to me have you!

I took the second option. I jumped the red light :oops: (It is the 1st time I have ever jumped a light) to make a left turn at the cross roads. The cars were just starting to come through so I wasn't joining speeding traffic. I then pelted it down the hill whilst also hoping he hadn't jumped the lights as well.

Turns out he hadn't and I didn't see him again. What sort of mentalist would get out to potentially attack someone after being told to stop using their mobile whilst driving. He will be at home now giving the wife a good kicking!

The best bit was, I think he shet himself when I said stop using your phone and seemed to drop it (As he would have done knowing he shouldn't be on it!)

I feel bad because I am in little doubt he will take out his anger on the next cyclist he sees by cutting them up or worse. In future though what must I do? Just ignore it and let them carry on oblivious (in every sense of the word!)

This is practically a Disney compared to the filth, snarl and vomit that spews out of my mouth at drivers (and sometimes cyclists) that endanger my life...

However, there has been, on occasion, times where I've backed down as I've encountered someone who is unhinged...

CyclingBantam

Gazzaputt wrote:

If you can't back the words up...........

What do you mean if I can't back up the words. I tell him to get off the phone not put his dukes up!

Les just get this right. You think the sane thing to do would be to stand in the street and fight a man whilst I am wearing cleats due to him being angry about being told to stop breaking the law?

Well done...

gtvlusso

Should back up what you start, hold your tongue........Or keep an eye on the lights/junction ahead so that you are not landing yourself in trouble if you are dis-inclined to a bit of shouty fisty cuffs.....Most people are all talk and no actual action.

But I am a prize idiot, and am working on my rag loss......

jeepie

He he. I agree fighting on cleats, which are slippery as ice when cleats are on concrete, would be extremely tricky! Good move to jump the light. I've never done it either and would feel very guilty about jumping red....

cee

BenBlyth wrote:

Gazzaputt wrote:

If you can't back the words up...........

What do you mean if I can't back up the words. I tell him to get off the phone not put his dukes up!

Les just get this right. You think the sane thing to do would be to stand in the street and fight a man whilst I am wearing cleats due to him being angry about being told to stop breaking the law?

Well done...

no...you called him a d1ck....and were unwilling to back that up...fair enough you do realise that it was a silly thing to say....

LDN-Flyer

HTFU,

Pointers, Ride clipless so you have some nice harden plastic / metal feet.
Take his number plate a repeat it back to him = Brain over braun
Or as the guys on FGSS would say, D-Lock the c*&nts window.

always_tyred

I am increasingly of the belief that helmet cameras will become a necessity.

If only there were ones small enough not to be an incumbance.

CyclingBantam

cee wrote:

BenBlyth wrote:

Gazzaputt wrote:

If you can't back the words up...........

What do you mean if I can't back up the words. I tell him to get off the phone not put his dukes up!

Les just get this right. You think the sane thing to do would be to stand in the street and fight a man whilst I am wearing cleats due to him being angry about being told to stop breaking the law?

Well done...

no...you called him a d1ck....and were unwilling to back that up...fair enough you do realise that it was a silly thing to say....

I shouldn't have called him a dick but that still doesn't really make the argument of "I should back up what I start. He could have killed me through driving with no attention. Does that mean I smash him in the face with a D lock "cos he should back up what he starts." I thought we are supposed to be adults.

Sorry not having a go. You say things you wouldn't normally though in the heat of the moment. I am always why someone thinks that means it is ok for someone to attack you though! Makes no sense to me.

P.s. Wish I had slapped him with a D Lock sometimes but ho hum!

mrchrispy

only mouth off if your willing to back it up. running made him feel better about himself and he's more likely to start on the next person that shows him 'disrespect'.

personally id have been up for a slanging match in the middle of the traffic.

Finbar Saunders

You probably reinforced his mistaken view that all cyclists are RLJers and don't deserve to be on the road. And perhaps....just perhaps....he was calling you over to thank you for pointing out the error of his ways and to give you a tenner for your troubles!

boneyjoe

I'd say well done! You got your point across, insulted the bastard, and showed him a clean pair of heals. What's all this stand and fight nonsense!?

boneyjoe

Oh, and well done for jumping the light in this situation. Personally, I always jump if its safe - its really no different to walking across the street if you ask me.

OldSkoolKona

boneyjoe wrote:

Personally, I always jump if its safe - its really no different to walking across the street if you ask me.

I'm not going to even start on how wrong you are :roll:

spen666

DonDaddyD wrote:

....
However, there has been, on occasion, times where I've backed down as I've encountered someone who is unhinged...

i didn't realise we had met

davmaggs

I know that you were going off the cuff so now all the hindsight comments won't help. My comments aren't so much at you, but a reminder to myself.

I think the point that others were making is that if you are going to tell random strangers how to behave then you need to think about how they are going to react. There are only a few outcomes and so apart from venting for a moment, what is the point of you shouting at people.

The options are simple a) a miracle occurs and this person is changed for life, b) they are scared witless by a bloke shouting at them * and temporarily comply until you go away or c) they aren't frightened by you and decide to test your mettle.

We can say that a) is unlikely so either you are going to intermidate people or b) they are going to be aggressive back.

I've had a couple of near misses and have had to prevent myself going postal when I realise that a small child in the back of a car is going to see me frightening his mum.

* I suspect that the idiot in question was so unaware they didn't collate you shouting at them with a near miss. They probably just responded aggressively to being told off, but not quite sure why as they were too dozy to watching the road.

Soul Boy

People just don't like being told what to do, and when he realised it was 'just' a cyclist, he was probably livid. That no phones law is really working well.

Now, when I was passing a bloke on the Grand Union canal a while, said "passing on your right", got sworn at for my troubles. I stopped to ask what the problem was (mistake!), he started f-ing and blinding, so I respond with a f-off only for him to pull a knife. Now THAT was an outcome I didn't expect :shock:

Managed to talk him down, then phoned the police. They were there pretty fast, but the toe rag had disappeared into an estate.

Oh and the time the BMW gangsta, driving in the bus lane, pointed his fingers at me, with a "bang, bang, its as easy as that". Ah London, gotta love it.

Gazzaputt

Well Mr BenBlyth as already said you call the guy a dick and I bet it wasn't in a friendly tone of voice.

Sorry but yes you should back it up.

DonDaddyD

Ben what you should have done as he approached you is:

Screamed like a girl....

And then when he looks away in disgust...

Kick him in the nuts...

Fireblade96

Monty Python wrote:

Brave Sir Robin ran away
Bravely, ran away...away...
When danger reared its ugly head
He bravely turned his tail and fled
Yes, brave Sir Robin turned about
And gallantly he chickened out
Bravely talking to his feet
He beat a very brave retreat
Bravest of the brave, Sir Robin

Actually, that's probably what I'd have done too !
My car-battling days are gone, now I just resort to the Sorry Shake of the Head (TM) or Waggy Finger of Disapproval (c).

CyclingBantam

Gazzaputt wrote:

Well Mr BenBlyth as already said you call the guy a dick and I bet it wasn't in a friendly tone of voice.

Sorry but yes you should back it up.

Well it was in a flippant 'I'm repeating what I just said' tone of voice. Almoast weary of having to point out that potentially killing me/a.n other because that phone call was just so important is not really on.

So you suggest I wait there to potentially get a smack in the chops to 'back up what I said'. My point was he souldn't be on the phone. I'm not fighting about it when I would also be strapped to a bike at the time. I shouldn't have called him a d1ck the 2nd time but I don't really think that was the straw that broke the cammels back. I will be more cautious next time however, as it wasn't premeditated I can't say I won't in future react to someone doing something dangerous.

I have previously followed some meathead to a supermarket carpark after they tried to run me off a road whilst driving too fast to point out why I couldn't 'get out of the effing way' so I am not averse to making my point. I'm just not willing to get a pasting whilst unable to defend myself for no good reason.

Like I say, shouldn't have called the guy but no chance I am scrapping in the street. Got by fine so far not looking for a fight so I won't start now.

Sewinman

Backing yourself gets you in trouble. I got a caution for pushing someone over who had just hit me in the face with his belt buckle and split my forehead open. He pulled the race card.

I learn't my lesson. It is never worth it.

Avoid conflict - you are not the police.

CyclingBantam

DonDaddyD wrote:

Ben what you should have done as he approached you is:

Screamed like a girl....

And then when he looks away in disgust...

Kick him in the nuts...

I did, I just didn't want to say that in my post.


... I also tried to throw sand in his eyes but my throwing arm isn't very strong so it blew back in my face... :oops:

robmanic1

But you RLJ'd so tut-tutting a driver on his phone is a bit pot-kettle isn't it?

I'd have done the same fwiw

DonDaddyD

In reality this is correct:

<<snip>> still doesn't really make the argument of "I should back up what I start. He could have killed me through driving with no attention. Does that mean I smash him in the face with a D lock "cos he should back up what he starts." I thought we are supposed to be adults.

All the people here jumping on the OP's back for not 'backing up' his insult/action are probably just mouthing off behind a PC.

I bet the vast majority would be setting sprint records if they were in the same situation. Especially if that situation happened somewhere like Thorton Heath, Croydon, Bexley, Camberwell, Peckhem where you're more likely to see a sign about murder than an actual Police Officer.

CyclingBantam

Fireblade96 wrote:

Monty Python wrote:

Brave Sir Robin ran away
Bravely, ran away...away...
When danger reared its ugly head
He bravely turned his tail and fled
Yes, brave Sir Robin turned about
And gallantly he chickened out
Bravely talking to his feet
He beat a very brave retreat
Bravest of the brave, Sir Robin

Actually, that's probably what I'd have done too !
My car-battling days are gone, now I just resort to the Sorry Shake of the Head (TM) or Waggy Finger of Disapproval (c).

I must admit, the situation didn't seem so cowardly at the time.

Gazzaputt

DonDaddyD wrote:

In reality this is correct:

<<snip>> still doesn't really make the argument of "I should back up what I start. He could have killed me through driving with no attention. Does that mean I smash him in the face with a D lock "cos he should back up what he starts." I thought we are supposed to be adults.

All the people here jumping on the OP's back for not 'backing up' his insult/action are probably just mouthing off behind a PC.

I bet the vast majority would be setting sprint records if they were in the same situation. Especially if that situation happened somewhere like Thorton Heath, Croydon, Bexley, Camberwell, Peckhem where you're more likely to see a sign about murder than an actual Police Officer.

Personally no i wouldn't and haven't in the past but that is me.

Luckily the only time it came to landing one the other fella came off worse.

Then again I'll only have a go if they nearly killed me as there are to many incidents to comment on when commuting to and from work.

Oh yea I live in Bexley and you cannot put it in the same bracket as Peckham and camberwell.

Fireblade96

I must admit, the situation didn't seem so cowardly at the time.

A couple of years back a yoof, with his mates, deliberately blocked the towpath as I rode towards them. I managed to push through the gap left, called him a c0ck - and he showed an alarming turn of speed in turning and chasing after me.

I was (a) alone, (b) on my bike, (c) on a remote bit of towpath.

I bravely bugger'd off. At speed

DonDaddyD

Gazzaputt wrote:

DonDaddyD wrote:

In reality this is correct:

<<snip>> still doesn't really make the argument of "I should back up what I start. He could have killed me through driving with no attention. Does that mean I smash him in the face with a D lock "cos he should back up what he starts." I thought we are supposed to be adults.

All the people here jumping on the OP's back for not 'backing up' his insult/action are probably just mouthing off behind a PC.

I bet the vast majority would be setting sprint records if they were in the same situation. Especially if that situation happened somewhere like Thorton Heath, Croydon, Bexley, Camberwell, Peckhem where you're more likely to see a sign about murder than an actual Police Officer.

Personally no i wouldn't and haven't in the past but that is me.

Luckily the only time it came to landing one the other fella came off worse.

Then again I'll only have a go if they nearly killed me as there are to many incidents to comment on when commuting to and from work.

Oh yea I live in Bexley and you cannot put it in the same bracket as Peckham and camberwell.

How's those gloves that protect your nuckles as they drag along the floor? Joke, it was a joke. Don't put a hit on me or come find me... I'll just cycle away.. in fact perhaps we can have a race :P

No offence but as a man that lived in Brixton, moved to Norbury went to school in South Norwood and now works in Camberwell. I have no real love for Bexley Heath or would feel safe there ever...

I'm beginning to see why you would have stood there and shouted/physically fought odds with the person... For me, in the past maybe. These day's where someone is more likely to stab you than tell you the time, I would rather walk away.

biondino

gtvlusso wrote:

Should back up what you start, hold your tongue........Or keep an eye on the lights/junction ahead so that you are not landing yourself in trouble if you are dis-inclined to a bit of shouty fisty cuffs.....Most people are all talk and no actual action.

But I am a prize idiot, and am working on my rag loss......

Of all the blokes waving their cocks about on this thread, gtvlusso is the only one I'd fancy to actually "back up" what he said (what does that even mean? The only way to follow calling someone a dick is to assault them?), and that's cos he's a grade A certified psycho :shock:

I imagine Ben feels a bit of an idiot for getting into a pointless argument with a stranger, but we all do it - 95% of the time both parties are delighted they're NOT going to actually have a scrap. This time, he got called. He'll probably change his response next time.