Sittingduck
Legendary Member
- Location
- Somewhere flat
Hi
Not sure who is in the wrong here and I don't normally vent at other cyclists. Infact this is the first time I have got into any kind of proper altercation with another cyclist. Do you think I am in the wrong here and overreacted?
This afternoon coming home I am in the ASL at the south side of Vauxhall Bridge, coming from Millbank and going straight across to Grosvenor Road. It's a red light but our turn next. Guy comes past me on the inside (I was middle of the left side lane, so it wasn't close to me) and goes over the red which changes within maybe 3 seconds to a green and off I go. There is a headwind along Grosvenor Road which is pretty exposed, being next to the river. Sure enough I pass him within about 15 - 20 seconds and carry on. Check over my shoulder a few seconds later and he is right there on my back wheel. I keep going, not really busting a gut - just cruising along but it's hard work into the headwind. Check a few seconds later and he is there about 2 inches off my wheel. This carries on for maybe 1 minute and I confess to having slowed down a little bit to see if he would maintain his speed and go past me but he didn't. So I turn and say "You are 2 inches off my wheel". To which he replies "I know, I'm getting a tow". I reply "you don't know me, why are you so close?". He says, "It's windy and I'm getting a free ride now off you go, carry on", or something very similar. We exchange verbals while still moving along, all be it very slowly now. He is pretty argumentative and asks why it is annoying me and gloats that I am annoyed. I told him that I don't want to have to worry about somebody so close to my wheel and that it is bad manners. I pretty much slow to a crawl and eventually he goes past, still mouthing off something. I couldn't make out what, due to the headwind and we soon head off in different directions (I turn left at Chelsea Bridge and Mr RLJ Drafter goes straight and down Chelsea Embankment).
So, should I have not said anything and just been content to sit there slogging away while this guy sat in behind so close? He seemed like a right wind up merchant who was almost delighted to think he has got my back up. I don't normally rant like this and get into these scenarios but part of me wanted to push him off the bike and throw it into the river when he told me to "go on, off you go". Your thoughts??
Not sure who is in the wrong here and I don't normally vent at other cyclists. Infact this is the first time I have got into any kind of proper altercation with another cyclist. Do you think I am in the wrong here and overreacted?
This afternoon coming home I am in the ASL at the south side of Vauxhall Bridge, coming from Millbank and going straight across to Grosvenor Road. It's a red light but our turn next. Guy comes past me on the inside (I was middle of the left side lane, so it wasn't close to me) and goes over the red which changes within maybe 3 seconds to a green and off I go. There is a headwind along Grosvenor Road which is pretty exposed, being next to the river. Sure enough I pass him within about 15 - 20 seconds and carry on. Check over my shoulder a few seconds later and he is right there on my back wheel. I keep going, not really busting a gut - just cruising along but it's hard work into the headwind. Check a few seconds later and he is there about 2 inches off my wheel. This carries on for maybe 1 minute and I confess to having slowed down a little bit to see if he would maintain his speed and go past me but he didn't. So I turn and say "You are 2 inches off my wheel". To which he replies "I know, I'm getting a tow". I reply "you don't know me, why are you so close?". He says, "It's windy and I'm getting a free ride now off you go, carry on", or something very similar. We exchange verbals while still moving along, all be it very slowly now. He is pretty argumentative and asks why it is annoying me and gloats that I am annoyed. I told him that I don't want to have to worry about somebody so close to my wheel and that it is bad manners. I pretty much slow to a crawl and eventually he goes past, still mouthing off something. I couldn't make out what, due to the headwind and we soon head off in different directions (I turn left at Chelsea Bridge and Mr RLJ Drafter goes straight and down Chelsea Embankment).
So, should I have not said anything and just been content to sit there slogging away while this guy sat in behind so close? He seemed like a right wind up merchant who was almost delighted to think he has got my back up. I don't normally rant like this and get into these scenarios but part of me wanted to push him off the bike and throw it into the river when he told me to "go on, off you go". Your thoughts??
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