Teh best ride ever, until...

[wesa]

Ok this isn't commuting related but this is the only forum area that I know.

The plan for today’s trip was a 45mile ride then meet up with the wife for a pub lunch and 25 miles home.
A few miles into the ride I have to go up Streatley hill, when I arrived there were loads of numbered riders, marshals and spectators. The riders were being released on a time basis, I set off about 20 sec after a numbered rider. I was cheered all the way up the hill, cow bells, cameras, it was fantastic. I didn't disgrace myself, yes the following rider came past me on the finish line but I was closer to the guy in front then when we started. I know they are probably riding the hill dozens of times today but it made me feel good. Talking to one of the marshals (after making it clear that he didn't want me on the 'course') I found out that was the Reading cycle club hill climb event, and there were some good riders taking part. I went on my way quite happy with my performance.

The sun was out there was no wind, I got the pub right on schedule. We had a nice meal and I headed home.

A few miles from home I was thinking that I had no had a single bad experience, every cyclist had nodded or said hello, all the cars were overtaking with stacks of room. I was thinking this is the best bike ride ever - Mistake.

A few minutes later a silver Audi came past so close I could have taken his wing mirror off without fully extending my arm (I was doing 25 in a 30). I screamed and grabbed the brakes. He stopped and started having a go at me 'I gave you stacks of room', 'F**k off onto the pavement where you belong', etc. Unfortunately I had been lured up the inside of him to his open passenger window, I saw his hand move on the steering wheel and instinctively grabbed the brakes hard, the back of his car missed me by inches and he nearly mounted the kerb. I was furious but I was having such a good ride I wanted to let it go, this guy drove slowly (<20mph) in front of me for about 1/2 mile, I dropped my speed to < 15mph and I lost sight of him.
A few hundred yards further on I was passing some parked cars and as I went the last car I realised that it was him, he accelerated away deliberately trying to force me into the oncoming car. Thank you to the oncoming driver who was paying attention and stopped; I took my escape into a drive on the right and got my phone out to call the Police.
While I was finding it I had a change of heart, I felt no anger to this guy just total and utter pity, how sad must his life be to get so worked up when a cyclist asks for more room. I hope this guy learns to calm down, learns to drive and stops trying to kill people.

All in all a cracking ride with just one minor glitch.

 

[rusky]

Glad you are OK, but you should have called 999 & reported him.

 

[magnatom]

You must report him. He may take that agression out on another cyclist. Anyone who uses a car like a weapon in that manner deserves to be locked up.

REPORT HIM!!

 

[yello]

That really ought be reported wesa.

We're not talking simple give-and-get verbal abuse here, he tried to kill you.

 

[Crankarm]

This incident would have totally ruined my ride and day. Sounds like he was deliberately targetting you and tried to kill you. If he was as close to you as you say he was my elbow would have made contact with his wing mirror. If it came off it would be down to his stupidly dangerous driving and easily viewed as him hitting you or you taking evasive action to avoid being knocked off by him as his proximity or contact with you was so close it has caused you to lose balance and wobble. I would have banged the side/roof of his vehicle or if he made contact with you causing you to wobble or lose balance, I would have unclipped and put a discrete long scratch along the side of his car or dent in the door, again, could be viewed as action taken to avoid being crushed and knocked down. There is no way you could have caused him any injury. He was harassing, intimidating and bullying you with his car. The fact that he then hid, waited for you to pass, then had another crack at you forcing you off the road shows that his intention was to do you serious harm. Were there any witnesses that stopped? There are always people who hold back and observe from a discrete distance.

The authorities do nothing so we now have to take affirmative action against these idiots who routinely through incompetence or malice injure or try to kill us. Since James Martin's idiotic comments I have had two drivers try to do this to me, not just the close pass which seldom happens to me anyway as I'm regularly looking behind, but deliberately driving at me. I gave them a FOAD look, just try it and put in a few well timed wobbles which forced them to swerve away but none tried for a 2nd attempt as in your case. Scary.

Correspondingly I give a little waive to thank courteous and patient drivers.

Did you get the vehicle's registration. If so call the police NOW.

 

[longers]

Yep, that needs reporting.

Just cos he didn't get you this time doesn't mean he won't get someone else next time.

 

[PBancroft]

Glad you are OK, but call the Police.

 

[thomas]

As other have said I would report him to the Police. He doesn't sound like someone I would like to meet on the roads, so report him now so I don't have to!

Make sure the Police do something - don't let them just fob you off.

 

[Crankarm]

No don't go putting a scratch down the side of this car, there is no point and the likely hood is that the driver will could run you down as a result.

As for the second bit in bold please don't listen to what Charles Bronson is saying.

I think you are getting confused Lee. Not driving today?

 

[BearPear]

I was just thinking that the original poster is being quite philosophical, but what if the target had been a child? Or a newbie woman rider like me with nowhere near as much confidence?

I think other road users are at risk of this arrogant aggresive p*llock so you should call the police.

 

[yello]

I don't see what my previous occupation has to do with the this thread Crankarm - seeing as you have mentioned this then maybe you can enlighten me?

Please don't. Or do it by PM.

Please don't turn this thread into your personal argument. Pretty please.

 

[purplepolly]

I screamed and grabbed the brakes. He stopped and started having a go at me 'I gave you stacks of room', 'F**k off onto the pavement where you belong', etc.

One thing that never ceases to amaze me about cycling is how motorists can react so angrily towards a terrified cyclist.

 

[ComedyPilot]

What an utter cock-jockey.

 

[eldudino]

Jeez. That got my pulse-rate up just reading it (up from my resting 56bpm nowadays - used to be a lot more when I was fatter! )

I'd report it too, if you've got the guy's number get him some shoot from the boys in blue. It'd be good to ask at your local copshop if there's a bobby that polices on a bike, he'd maybe be a bit more sympathetic to the situation and have a better understanding of the dangers these morons pose to cyclists.

 

[wesa]

Thanks for the comments, having slept on it I think I made the wrong decision in not reporting him, I could have stopped one of a few cars to be a witness. I did make a mental note of the number plate but as I didn't write it down at the time I have forgotten it. I will learn for next time.
The irony is that the guy I usualy cycle with is a serving Police Officer.