My first run in with chav scum

[Cab]

What was it that kept you in primary for over half a minute?

In that situation, its generally the @r$€h01€ threatening a close, dangerous overtake behind me that keeps me in primary.

 

[Cab]

I do know what you mean, some cyclists ride out too far where not necessary and hold up traffic

So I'm told... But its his/her choice to do so. Not mine. And when it is appropriate to surrender primary position is a judgement call thats dangerous to second guess.

 

[fossyant]

In mtb shoes you have half a chance, road shoes......none.

Been there also.....the chavs tried to off me by grabbing....missed..

I was shocked. ...nothing like that had ever happened before.

All I would say is report the reg to the cops. They will log it. Next time it's collar felt

 

[yenrod]

Today on my way back to school I was stopped at some lights (In Primary), the car behind me beeped, so I looked behind, then they kept beeping their horn, after the lights turned green I stayed in primary to stop them overtaking, and they continued to keep beeping (by now they must have beeped at least 20 times, in the space of about 30 seconds), there was a gap in the traffic and they overtook, and some chav lad was sitting in the passenger seat waved or pointed or something, I can't remember, I had the red mist

I was tempted to gob on his window but decided to not bother reacting. I think the only reason people do pointless stuff like this is so they can try and show off to their friends, and have some sort of story to tell. If you don't react they have nothing.

"I beeped a cyclist 20 times"
"What did they do?"
"Nothing"

I've noticed something though, it's nearly always people in crap cars, or BMW's, who drive and act like retards.

I know this isn't an interesting story, because I didn't let it escalate into anything.

I understand Sam; it can get to you: sadly they shouldnt be on the road !

 

[slowmotion]

I know this isn't an interesting story, because I didn't let it escalate into anything.

Well done Sam. IMVHO, it is usually best to ignore this kind of crap, and forget one's own pride. BTW, I don't always stick to my own advice, but increasingly I try to.

Respect.

 

[ttcycle]

well done Sam for keeping your cool

 

[tdr1nka]

So I'm told... But its his/her choice to do so. Not mine. And when it is appropriate to surrender primary position is a judgement call thats dangerous to second guess.

A choice, yes but sometimes not a particularly aware or courteous one.
I encounter cyclists that are listening to headphones and who don't look behind them and so have little or no idea of the effect they are having upon the following traffic, motorised or otherwise.

The reasoned choice to hold back traffic for the purpose of your own safety at any partiular time is, of course, paramount.

 

[mr_hippo]

I think the only reason people do pointless stuff like this is so they can try and show off to their friends, and have some sort of story to tell. If you don't react they have nothing.

But you did react, didn’t you? You let the whole incident burn its way into your brain, pondered about it for hours and then decided to put it on the internet – to what end? Most of us would have forget about it about 15 seconds after the last beep – I wouldn’t have given it that long! So why have you posted on here? Are you in need of tea & sympathy? Tea – make it yourself, sympathy – you’ll find it in a dictionary between ‘sex’ and ‘syphilis’!

I know this isn't an interesting story...

Please post when you do have something of interest! I was involved in a ‘hit and run’ last October, did i post on here? No because it was not a major thing; knocked off the bike by an unknown vehicle. I was helped to a bus shelter where I dressed my wounds, phoned my wife who said ‘Take a taxi home if you want to.’ I then rode to my regular coffee shop where I was greeted with “Morning, Hippo, short ride today? Cappuccino?”. After the coffee, I rode home. No damage to bike but needed new top, shorts, helmet & specs – cost about £300. The following morning, I was back on the bike. Do not let these non-incidents affect you - concentrate on the positive side of cycling and enjoy it!

I've noticed something though, it's nearly always people in crap cars, or BMW's, who drive and act like retards.

Wow. I love generalised statements. Will you, Sam Kennedy, stop jumping red lights and don’t tell me that you do not – you are a cyclist and all cyclists jump red lights!

 

[Panter]

I was involved in a ‘hit and run’ last October, did i post on here? No because it was not a major thing; knocked off the bike by an unknown vehicle. I was helped to a bus shelter where I dressed my wounds, phoned my wife who said ‘Take a taxi home if you want to.’ I then rode to my regular coffee shop where I was greeted with “Morning, Hippo, short ride today? Cappuccino?”. After the coffee, I rode home. No damage to bike but needed new top, shorts, helmet & specs – cost about £300. The following morning, I was back on the bike. Do not let these non-incidents affect you - concentrate on the positive side of cycling and enjoy it!

Er...

 

[PBancroft]

Please post when you do have something of interest!

I found it interesting. Your post, on the other hand...

 

[summerdays]

I found it interesting. Your post, on the other hand...

+1

Sam is a relatively new young cyclist, who has come on this board and asked for advice, listened and obviously seems to be doing well that he was thinking about his position and didn't react to the provocation. If you really don't like a thread then you don't bother reading it.

 

[tightwad]

But you did react, didn’t you? You let the whole incident burn its way into your brain, pondered about it for hours and then decided to put it on the internet – to what end? Most of us would have forget about it about 15 seconds after the last beep – I wouldn’t have given it that long! So why have you posted on here? Are you in need of tea & sympathy? Tea – make it yourself, sympathy – you’ll find it in a dictionary between ‘sex’ and ‘syphilis’!

Please post when you do have something of interest! I was involved in a ‘hit and run’ last October, did i post on here? No because it was not a major thing; knocked off the bike by an unknown vehicle. I was helped to a bus shelter where I dressed my wounds, phoned my wife who said ‘Take a taxi home if you want to.’ I then rode to my regular coffee shop where I was greeted with “Morning, Hippo, short ride today? Cappuccino?”. After the coffee, I rode home. No damage to bike but needed new top, shorts, helmet & specs – cost about £300. The following morning, I was back on the bike. Do not let these non-incidents affect you - concentrate on the positive side of cycling and enjoy it!

Wow. I love generalised statements. Will you, Sam Kennedy, stop jumping red lights and don’t tell me that you do not – you are a cyclist and all cyclists jump red lights!

Can I play, can I play. In the playground I reached the 20th course of bricks, beat that.

 

[theboytaylor]

+1

Sam is a relatively new young cyclist, who has come on this board and asked for advice, listened and obviously seems to be doing well that he was thinking about his position and didn't react to the provocation. If you really don't like a thread then you don't bother reading it.

+1.

Also, when you experience some sort of aggression or hassle, it is natural to reflect on it, maybe ask yourself if you were in the wrong or could have done anything better or differently to avoid the situation.

It depends on your personality if you can just shrug it off after 30 seconds. I've been in minor encounters with other road users (a bit of beeping / shouting, etc) and have gone over and over it all day trying to think if I was wrong or should have done anything differently. I've sometimes thought about posting an incident on here but in the process of writing it down I've got it out of my system, so I just delete it and go back to lurking.

It can be especially disconcerting to experience abuse if, as Sam's posts suggests, you are completely blameless.

 

[tdr1nka]

If I had had the support of other cyclists when I had my worst agressive drivers years ago I might not have stopped riding for five years because I lost my motivation and had few friends who could sympathise let alone understand how demoralising urban cycling can be from time to time.

When I came back to cycling I found CC.
Even as an experienced cyclist, I saw there was a lot to be learned and with the help of many here I regained my confidence to use the bike as my primary form of transport and after a long spell of unemployment to go on to become a cycling instructor.

Can I remind you that CC is a friendly place and also offers support those new or returning to cycling.

You Mr. Hippo, offer very little of this.

 

[Arch]

You Mr. Hippo, offer very little of this.

Hear, hear.

Well done for keeping calm Sam. I tend to temper too quickly, and never have the confidence to do the thing that would truly repel most chavs - blow a kiss at them....

With regard to primary, I've noticed myself getting a bit less confident in the last few weeks - on my commute there are three pinch points where I should take primary to absolutely stop anyone pushing past, and I'm failing to. Don't know why. Maybe my winter bike being heavier (and my bottle dynamo creating quite a drag), and my back hurting a bit means I don't feel I can put full power on to keep the speed up. I've been pretty cautious because of the snow, ice and slush, maybe that's making me more timorous? I do make sure I glance back very frequently as I approach the points, and that often has the effect of holding someone back, but I need to be firm about moving out.