Hairy Moment

[Watt-O]

I was tootling along at around 20-22 mph on the old bone shaker, down Westferry Road, Isle of Dogs when I hear a horn being blow vigorously from behind. I was in the middle in the road, wary of potential doors opening up from a long line of parked cars on a sweeping, tightish and narrow left hand bend. I duly turned and gave the drive the one finger salute, assured in the knowledge that I didn't have any obligation to hug the line of parked cars. As soon as the driver had the chance he over took me, and slammed his brakes on, causing me to slam on my anchors to avoid going into the back of him. Turned out to be flash blue Jag, the modern imitation of the Morse classic. The driver was a middle-aged hairy, bearded, pony tailed cockney yob, and was now level with me, wound his window down and yelled something like "you f@cking c@nt. I'll f@cking smash you off the f@cking road, you c@nt etc.". Clearly, a very angry and violent psycho. Luckily, my brain was engaged and I just looked at him blankly and said nothing. He sped off and turned left not far ahead. I have to admit, it made the old sphincter twitch!

 

[Tynan]

giving a lot of blokes the finger is an invitation to violence

 

[hackbike 666]

giving a lot of blokes the finger is an invitation to violence

Or some sort of road rage incident............

 

[Sh4rkyBloke]

giving a bloke who's clearly a deranged knobhead the finger is an invitation to act like you'd expect of such low life scum

FTFY

 

[Watt-O]

giving a lot of blokes the finger is an invitation to violence

Really? A "spin on this" is inviting someone to run you down? The driver's petulant use of the horn was pompted me to use of the single digit salute. Threatening to mow you you down is criminal behaviour.

 

[As Easy As Riding A Bike]

I don't think Tynan was condoning it - just pointing out that's the way some people think.

 

[DrSquirrel]

Really? A "spin on this" is inviting someone to run you down? The driver's petulant use of the horn was pompted me to use of the single digit salute. Threatening to mow you you down is criminal behaviour.

Well it does invite a return of such gestures - hand or verbal.

Report this to the Police... and see what they say about it, don't leave out the part that you waved your digit around in the air - let us know the outcome.

 

[brokenbetty]

I got chased by a RLJer yelling "I'll cut you up bitch" because I called him a self-gratification artist.

Mind, it probably didn't help that the angrier he got the funnier I found it

 

[Vikeonabike]

Really? A "spin on this" is inviting someone to run you down? The driver's petulant use of the horn was pompted me to use of the single digit salute. Threatening to mow you you down is criminal behaviour.

Hate to be pedantic, but a single digit salute / Spin on this is also Criminal Behaviour...comes under section 5 of the public order act! It is generally accepted a person mabe harrassed, alarmed or distressed by witnessing this sign and thereforeit may cause some people to react to the percieved provocation it invites!

Next time you should think about inviting him to discuss your road positioning over a cup of coffee. Easily achieved by using international sign language for "What sort of coffe beans do you prefer?"

 

[Roadrunner78]

I think the majority of us have had one of those moments. Doesn't stop me tho. We we're issued with a middle finger for such people.

 

[rustychisel]

I too use the finger but point out in the spirit of good fun that many of those morons can also be wound up by you just turning around in the saddle and giving them a long 'look' then continuing on as you were. They want you to move out of their way, if you look then carry on you've committed no such offense and they get wound up anyway.

 

[Keith Oates]

I too use the finger but point out in the spirit of good fun that many of those morons can also be wound up by you just turning around in the saddle and giving them a long 'look' then continuing on as you were. They want you to move out of their way, if you look then carry on you've committed no such offense and they get wound up anyway.

Not too long I hope RC, otherwise you may banjo a car door!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[darth vadar]

I can't help thinking what sort of a place is London where both cyclists and drivers feel the need to be aggressive towards each other at any opportunity?

My experience from this site is that some cyclists appear to think that they own the road and cycle far too fast and dangerously for the prevailing driving conditions - and drivers do exactly the same. Neither do, so why such aggresive behaviour towards each other? Its a recipe for disaster.

If that was a typical days commute for me, then I don't think I would bother.

 

[BSRU]

My experience from this site is that some cyclists appear to think that they own the road and cycle far too fast and dangerously for the prevailing driving conditions - and drivers do exactly the same. Neither do, so why such aggresive behaviour towards each other? Its a recipe for disaster.

There are always some cyclists doing something, good and bad.

 

[Watt-O]

Hate to be pedantic, but a single digit salute / Spin on this is also Criminal Behaviour...comes under section 5 of the public order act! It is generally accepted a person mabe harrassed, alarmed or distressed by witnessing this sign and thereforeit may cause some people to react to the percieved provocation it invites!

Next time you should think about inviting him to discuss your road positioning over a cup of coffee. Easily achieved by using international sign language for "What sort of coffe beans do you prefer?"

Agreed. A rude gesture is a hanging offence in some parts. Still, the driver overracted somewhat. I have never threatened anyone with violence, well maybe the ex-wife in the of heat of the momemnt!