Bike mugging in Bermondsey

Hodder23

Had an nasty experience last night in Bermondsey. Heading home from a ride after work I see three hoodies riding around in circles on mountain bikes in the middle of the road outside my flat. As I head towards them, I move left to go around them, they move to block me, so I move right and they block me again. Thinking they are just messing around, I start laughing but then realise when they have blocked me on either side, that they are after my bike. Hoodie number one tells me to give him the bike, hoodie number two grabs the bike and starts trying to pull me off it. Hoodie number three hits me in the head. Thankfully I am wearing a helmet, so it hurts him more than me. ( I knew it would come in useful one day... )

I also discover that Ksyriums are stronger than I thought as I repeatedly bash my back wheel against the bloke who is trying to pull me off the bike. Hasn't even bent a spoke.

Eventually after some pushing and shoving and a lot of shouting from me, they decide it's not worth it and bu**er off somewhere else. Perhaps they finally realised that a 61cm De Rosa is not much use to a 14 year old boy...

I know a lot of cyclists ride around the area so please everyone take care and watch out. Not a pleasant experience and I would hate to find out that the same thing happens to someone else.

Not sure what to do next time. Maybe head down and ride fast towards them???

chriskempton

Have you reported them to the police?

Hodder23

Yes - the police were really good last night. Two 6 foot plus plain clothes officers turned up, which made my girlfriend's evening. They think they know who it is, apparently other people have been targeted, although I was the first cyclist.

Harry B

This doesn't surprise me. With the increase in cyclists on the road there are now some very nice (and expensive) pieces of kit out there. Its only a matter of time before these scum realise this. I guess they only need to knock you off your bike at traffic lights and they could be off down some alley with it before you're back on your feet. Imagine trying to chase them in cleats :?

Slow Downcp

I try to stick to country lanes etc nowadays - too many chav related incidents around towns make it less enjoyable to go out. I need to start commuting by bike again though to help get the miles up, although I'll probably build up my old Raleigh again for that.

Soul Boy

Good on you fella. Sounds like you were lucky.

It has occured to me that riding around on an expensive bike would attract unwanted attention, luckily mostly the scroats don't know what they're looking at. Have cycled past some youts that complemented my ride, a quick thanks and getting the hammer down was my response.

Stuff like this makes me mad :evil:

chriskempton

Should have said well done for seeing them off - good work for sticking it up 'em.

dilemna

Sorry to read of your attack. It sounds pretty terrifying actually. Glad they gave up and you weren't stabbed......... Maybe you should invest in a helmet cam? It does worry me being a lone cyclist out on the road with an obviously nice bike even my Brompton seems to attract chav scum from time to time. Anytime I'm heading for home and getting nearer and nearer to my door and I don't like what I see ie scummies, hoodies, pykies, chav scum or drivers who have just intimidated you or tried to drive you off the road and you reach the road or turning you should turn off to "your" road, I just keep on riding. No way I'm leading scum to my home.

NWLondoner

Thats shocking!!!! :shock:


Glad you fought them off though 8)

The other week i was riding up scrubs lane towards Harlesden after dark and thinking "this is the LAST place i want to get a puncture"