Disturbing display on Cannon Street last night

Roastie

Note: Some RLJ content but my grief is NOT to do with RLJ.

Riding down Cannon Street last night, I hear this maniacal shouting behind me - I look back and see a dude on (what looked like) a red/white/black Spesh Tarmac barrelling down the road screaming blue f*&king murder at the wandering pedestrians. It wasn't directed at any person in particular, and is etched in my mind:

"Move! Cyclist coming! Move you f*&king c*nts! Cyclist coming! F&*king move! A&%^holes!" etc. You get the idea. And I am not exaggerating. Fair enough, that stretch can be particularly bad for wandering peds, but this display really wasn’t called for. Especially the language and shotgun obscenities.

When I rolled to a stop at the raised, paved ped crossing I looked back to see this performance rolling closer, including what appeared to be him swearing at a cabbie for just being there. He approaches the ped crossing RL fast, continues to intimidate people out of his way ("Hurry the f&*k up, c*nts!") as he continues straight through, literally and dangerously scattering peds. Some stumbling, bumping into each other. Most stunned.

At this point I lost my rag and shouted "Red light!", his response "F*&k off a&^%hole!" He didn't hand around to tell me that to my face. The poor peds on the crossing were so stunned by the entire incident that they stood frozen, shaking their heads.

I was quite riled and ready to get in his face, so chased as hard as I could - but he went straight where I turn left to take the slipway onto the exit of the underpass - and I decided to rather just chill than let this get out of control. Quite agitated, I gave it stick along Embankment and channelled the anger through to the pedals.

Stopped at a ped crossing on Vic Embankment, who should come flying through but … As soon as green came I chased again, and was gaining ground when (ironically) he slipped though the light at Big Ben on amber. I didn't think I'd see him again with the long wait at this light, but my with my subsequent SCR I'd gone fast enough to catch him at the Chelsea lights. He jumped those before I could confront him and again got away from the lights at Albert Bridge before I could have a word, something I sorely wanted to do.

Again, please this post is not about RLJ, please lets not go there. My issue with this twit is his general attitude to everyone else. There is no need to ride down a road spewing venom in the way that he was doing. It is not (in my book) socially acceptable to call people c*&ts just for being in your way - especially if they have right of way! By his attitude he honestly seemed to believe that he owned the road.

This dude is the cycling equivalent of the worst WVM or the stereotypical BMW driver who cuts you up and then has the gall to swear at you for it. I don't get enraged often, but this really did p1ss me off. Behaviour like this doesn't do the rest of us any good at all. These are the cyclists that non-cyclists remember.

I hope it wasn't a mistake to share this, and that it doesn't descend into a stupid, pointless debate - really just had to get it off my chest. I just cannot understand how some people can be so selfish, self-centred and unsocialised to behave like this. Perhaps it isn't or wasn't my place to even put my two words in. I can see the criticisms coming, so let me get this in: I battle to sit by while this sort of behaviour goes unchecked.

Cafewanda

Kudos to you for trying to get involved. I wouldn't have the balls (or whatever the - polite -female equivalent is).

Come to think of it, I don't have the speed anyway..................

UndercoverElephant

And some people say that London is an unfriendly place. :shock:

will3

Probably a cycle hating motorist out to give cyclists a bad name

Wallace1492

Its display's like that that fuel the hatred of people like James Martin, and many others who will see this.

What you also have to remember is that the people being shouted at, may well be company directors, infuential business men, bankers, the high and mighty of society.

Whereas, if I was to behave like that on Maryhill Road, i would only upset the occasional binman and prosser.

UndercoverElephant

Wallace1492 wrote:

Its display's like that that fuel the hatred of people like James Martin, and many others who will see this.

What you also have to remember is that the people being shouted at, may well be company directors, infuential business men, bankers, the high and mighty of society.

Whereas, if I was to behave like that on Maryhill Road, i would only upset the occasional binman and prosser.

If you were to behave like that on Maryhill Road, you'd have the schoolkids laughing at you for not knowing enough swear words.

Wallace1492

UndercoverElephant wrote:

Wallace1492 wrote:

Its display's like that that fuel the hatred of people like James Martin, and many others who will see this.

What you also have to remember is that the people being shouted at, may well be company directors, infuential business men, bankers, the high and mighty of society.

Whereas, if I was to behave like that on Maryhill Road, i would only upset the occasional binman and prosser.

If you were to behave like that on Maryhill Road, you'd have the schoolkids laughing at you for not knowing enough swear words.

True enough, plus they (the schoolkids) would have to be sober enough to hear the swearing too.

Sewinman

Sorry but that was quite funny! Obviously was not so in the flesh but the idea of it made me laugh.

Roastie

@ Wallace: Was kinda what I was thinking.

@ Sewinman: It probably helps to try see the funny side of it.

Greg T

Perhaps his bell was broken?

Honestly - they complain when you don't use your bell, they complain when you make your presence known with a volley of potty mouthed expletives.

Pedestrians - they should be taxed and insured.

James Martin should be hollowed out and used as a Skate park - to keep to yoofs off teh hyper-cider and knife play.

rich_e

To give the guy the benefit of doubt, maybe he had just had a fall or something as a result of pedestrians walking across when they shouldn't or a taxi knocking him off.

Otherwise, like you say he is a total douche.

suzyb

That reminds me of the incident where the cyclist was accused of knocking down the pedestrian.

jedster

To give the guy the benefit of doubt, maybe he had just had a fall or something as a result of pedestrians walking across when they shouldn't or a taxi knocking him off.

Yeah, but even that would be no kind of excuse.

What a pathetic little pr1ck.

il_principe

Interesting. I had a similar sweary episode on Edgeware rod last night. I'm sat in primary at lights. The lane I'm in goes straight ahead (buses only) into a buslane, or left. Car behind me starts beeping and carries on beeping. I look round and the driver and his mate are motioning for me to move over (and shouting), they're not indicating to turn left so are in the wrong lane. I ignore them. Lights go green and they pass me very very close, using the bus lane to undertake, passenger leaning out of the window and swearing at me, his arms are out and it looked as if he'd been aiming to push me off. They get the finger. I watch them weave in and out of the buslane as they shoot off up the road. They're heading for Kilburn, it's rush hour and experience says I'll catch them. I do, 2 lights later, by which stage I'm shaking with rage. They're in a long queue of cars. I pull up next to them, poke my head through the window, and basically lose control, a slanging match ensues, with them screaming about me being in the middle of the road, calling me a d1ckhead etc (they're a couple of Asian rudeboy wanna be gangsters, looked about 20). I scream back for a second, then it dawns on me that the driver has a lit spliff in his hand. I point it out, he denies it's dope - but I've noticed the smell now. I mention that I've made a note of his plate and indicate that I may well call the rozzers. Another verbal onslaught ensues. I've had enough at this point and traffic is starting to move, so I politely inform them that they are a bunch of retarded c*nts and (in a moment of what felt like genius) give the mouthy passenger a full blast with my bidon before scarpering away up the bikelane, safe in the knowledge that they won't catch me.

Ok so it was neither big nor clever, but the look on the tw@ts face when I unleashed the bidon was fcuking priceless!

rich_e

Did you ring the Police?
Even if they don't have enough to warrant an arrest, a description of them, along with bad and drugged driving (which apparently they take as serious as drink driving) would mean they would have enough reason to stop them if there are any traffic police around.

I've always figured if somebody enraged me that much, and I caught up with them that I might unload my water bottle through their window. It's never got to that yet though.

Porgy

Wallace1492 wrote:

Its display's like that that fuel the hatred of people like James Martin, and many others who will see this.

What you also have to remember is that the people being shouted at, may well be company directors, infuential business men, bankers, the high and mighty of society.

Whereas, if I was to behave like that on Maryhill Road, i would only upset the occasional binman and prosser.

And we must always bow to the mighty ones :roll:

If I knew someone was a high-flying banker then I would harldy be able to control myself from spewing a torrent of filthy language to be honest.

And as for binmen and prossers - both clear up the effluent from different pressure valves of human society - I'd give them more respect than a f*cking banker!! :evil:

il_principe

Rich_E wrote:

Did you ring the Police?
Even if they don't have enough to warrant an arrest, a description of them, along with bad and drugged driving (which apparently they take as serious as drink driving) would mean they would have enough reason to stop them if there are any traffic police around.

I've always figured if somebody enraged me that much, and I caught up with them that I might unload my water bottle through their window. It's never got to that yet though.

I didn't as I forgot their numberplate and didn't have time to take a pic. I like to think they'll worry for a few days. TBH if they make a habit of driving like pr1cks in rush hour whilst smoking weed, they're hopefully heading for a date with the law.

Still smiling about the impromptu bidon justice.

Porgy

Roastie wrote:

Note: Some RLJ content but my grief is NOT to do with RLJ.

Riding down Cannon Street last night, I hear this maniacal shouting behind me - I look back and see a dude on (what looked like) a red/white/black Spesh Tarmac barrelling down the road screaming blue f*&king murder at the wandering pedestrians. It wasn't directed at any person in particular, and is etched in my mind:

"Move! Cyclist coming! Move you f*&king c*nts! Cyclist coming! F&*king move! A&%^holes!" etc. You get the idea. And I am not exaggerating. Fair enough, that stretch can be particularly bad for wandering peds, but this display really wasn’t called for. Especially the language and shotgun obscenities.

London can drive you to madness sometimes. I reckon the poor guy just needed someone to talk to. As for calling the police - what would that achieve?

lost_in_thought

IP - you should have gone for the spliff with your water bottle. Or the stereo. :twisted:

TommyEss

Hmm - well I've shouted the odd "Heads up" to people who are about to wander aimlessly into my path - but I do it in a firm but fair voice, not a banshee scream, and only if they're stepping out - it's the vocal equivalent of a horn - I use it to alert others of my presence.

This guy, however, sounds like he's a prize cock whatever social situation you put him into...

Headhuunter

I heard the same sort of thing from a car driver this morning as I waiting at a set of lights. One car pulled across the lights but ended up stopping and blocking a yellow box junction, the guy behind in a BMW pulled into the box behind him and began screaming and swearing but he was encased in his car with the window only slightly open, so only I, at the front of the junction, waiting at the lights, heard him screaming blue murder from within the car.

I must admit to losing it myself a few times, as I cycled near East Dulwich a few weeks back someone woman in a beaten up Vauxhall Nova seemed to be trying to edge me into the curb so that she could squeeze her battered car past me on a narrow, bendy stretch of road, on which cars were parked at various points, so to stop her doing this, I took primary. She didn't blow her horn, but as we came up to a set of lights and the road widened and we stopped she opened the door to get out to call me a w@nker, so I'm afraid I lost it and screamed back at her until she shut up and got back in the car. Felt good at the time, but I feel a bit ashamed to have drawn attention to myself like that....

Wallace1492

Porgy wrote:

Wallace1492 wrote:

Its display's like that that fuel the hatred of people like James Martin, and many others who will see this.

What you also have to remember is that the people being shouted at, may well be company directors, infuential business men, bankers, the high and mighty of society.

Whereas, if I was to behave like that on Maryhill Road, i would only upset the occasional binman and prosser.

If I knew someone was a high-flying banker then I would harldy be able to control myself from spewing a torrent of filthy language to be honest.

Much in the same way that James Martin disses cyclists i would presume.....

Being someone that works in the industry, I do take exception to that. It is very few who have led us to the place we are now, and countless thousands merely work as wage slaves, including quite a few that could be described as high flying, they are working within the constraints that have been set up, it is the popel that set them up and monitored then that you should vent your spleen at, not those that do an honest days work.

il_principe

lost_in_thought wrote:

IP - you should have gone for the spliff with your water bottle. Or the stereo. :twisted:

I know, I did consider D Locking the wing mirror but decided against causing any damage. Next time though. Makes me wish I used a head cam, would have made top youtubage.

lost_in_thought

Back to the OP - What an eejit - not you, the other bloke. Talk about giving cyclists a bad name. There's just no call for that sort of language in 95% of circumstances, this being one of them. What's wrong with a bell or a call of 'excuse me' or something?

Headhuunter

Porgy wrote:

Wallace1492 wrote:

Its display's like that that fuel the hatred of people like James Martin, and many others who will see this.

What you also have to remember is that the people being shouted at, may well be company directors, infuential business men, bankers, the high and mighty of society.

Whereas, if I was to behave like that on Maryhill Road, i would only upset the occasional binman and prosser.

And we must always bow to the mighty ones :roll:

If I knew someone was a high-flying banker then I would harldy be able to control myself from spewing a torrent of filthy language to be honest.

And as for binmen and prossers - both clear up the effluent from different pressure valves of human society - I'd give them more respect than a f*cking banker!! :evil:

Poor old bankers. That's a bit of a generalisation, they're not all complete b*stards! Some of them even cycle and not all of them are responsible for the near downfall of society.

il_principe

Headhuunter wrote:

I'm afraid I lost it and screamed back at her until she shut up and got back in the car. Felt good at the time, but I feel a bit ashamed to have drawn attention to myself like that....

Heh heh, it's only afterwards that you realise peds, other motorists etc have stopped for a gawk. I did use the C word several times and at volume, but to be fair, they were cvnts and deserved a bollocking. Times like that I wish I was old bill, pulling a warrant card and arresting them would have been sooooo satisfying*

*strokes chin thoughtfully, heads to ebay.

Porgy

Wallace1492 wrote:

Porgy wrote:

Wallace1492 wrote:

Its display's like that that fuel the hatred of people like James Martin, and many others who will see this.

What you also have to remember is that the people being shouted at, may well be company directors, infuential business men, bankers, the high and mighty of society.

Whereas, if I was to behave like that on Maryhill Road, i would only upset the occasional binman and prosser.

If I knew someone was a high-flying banker then I would harldy be able to control myself from spewing a torrent of filthy language to be honest.

Much in the same way that James Martin disses cyclists i would presume.....

Being someone that works in the industry, I do take exception to that. It is very few who have led us to the place we are now, and countless thousands merely work as wage slaves, including quite a few that could be described as high flying, they are working within the constraints that have been set up, it is the popel that set them up and monitored then that you should vent your spleen at, not those that do an honest days work.

I did use the word "high-flyer" - for a banker - you're not too hot on the detail :P

I took exception to the poor attitiude towards binmen and sex workers - the post i was answering made bankers sound like godheads - not god - but the head bit is right.

Anyway so far postmen and tubeworkers have been slagged off in the most appalling manner on different threads - so this is in aid of a bit of balance.

Up the workers

ride_whenever

just ignore everyone on the road...

in fact don't do that, you'll get killed, just ignore the behavior of idiots unless they are expressly trying to kill you.

Porgy

Headhuunter wrote:

Porgy wrote:

Wallace1492 wrote:

Its display's like that that fuel the hatred of people like James Martin, and many others who will see this.

What you also have to remember is that the people being shouted at, may well be company directors, infuential business men, bankers, the high and mighty of society.

Whereas, if I was to behave like that on Maryhill Road, i would only upset the occasional binman and prosser.

And we must always bow to the mighty ones :roll:

If I knew someone was a high-flying banker then I would harldy be able to control myself from spewing a torrent of filthy language to be honest.

And as for binmen and prossers - both clear up the effluent from different pressure valves of human society - I'd give them more respect than a f*cking banker!! :evil:

Poor old bankers. That's a bit of a generalisation, they're not all complete b*stards! Some of them even cycle and not all of them are responsible for the near downfall of society.

I'm sure they don't care what I say - I'm just a f*cking tubeworker!

Wallace1492

Porgy wrote:

Wallace1492 wrote:

Porgy wrote:

Wallace1492 wrote:

Its display's like that that fuel the hatred of people like James Martin, and many others who will see this.

What you also have to remember is that the people being shouted at, may well be company directors, infuential business men, bankers, the high and mighty of society.

Whereas, if I was to behave like that on Maryhill Road, i would only upset the occasional binman and prosser.

If I knew someone was a high-flying banker then I would harldy be able to control myself from spewing a torrent of filthy language to be honest.

Much in the same way that James Martin disses cyclists i would presume.....

Being someone that works in the industry, I do take exception to that. It is very few who have led us to the place we are now, and countless thousands merely work as wage slaves, including quite a few that could be described as high flying, they are working within the constraints that have been set up, it is the popel that set them up and monitored then that you should vent your spleen at, not those that do an honest days work.

I did use the word "high-flyer" - for a banker - you're not too hot on the detail :P

I took exception to the poor attitiude towards binmen and sex workers - the post i was answering made bankers sound like godheads - not god - but the head bit is right.

Anyway so far postmen and tubeworkers have been slagged off in the most appalling manner on different threads - so this is in aid of a bit of balance.

Up the workers

It was not a poor attitude to binmen and prossers, I in no way slagged them off if you read my post. I was merely pointing out the differences in pedestrians in the City and on Maryhill Road. All contribute to society and pay taxes.

Only a few Bankers took us down, and I would happily give them some abuse, as would hundreds of thousands of other bankers.

I agree - up the workers!!

fatherted

I think you've glossed this story up a bit. He jumps red lights and has tourettes. Big deal , life goes on.