Out on my bike on Monday afternoon, on a Sustrans route. Saw a guy with an alsatian coming the other way. Never seen him or his dog before.
Dog was chasing an old football around, so I stopped to let them past. Basically I was unsure what the dog would do. Man runs up to said football and kicks it; not away from me to distract the dog, but full on into my face. Next moment he's wrestling me to the ground muttering jibberish, kicking me in the head, and jabbing me with his rolled umbrella. I managed to roll away, but man keeps chasing me with his umbrella, and tried to set the dog on me. (In fairness the dog was more interested in his ball). I was somewhat shocked, but suddenly had a hunch that man must have got to where he was by car, so I followed him, at a safe distance, saw his car and memorised the number.
Went to the polis who have really pulled the stops out. Man has been traced and charged with Actual Bodily Harm. Kicking my head, and using a weapon - his umbrella - are not thought well of.
As for me; broken helmet visor, hole in my Paramo, gouge out of winter boot, torn tights, bent mudguard, wrenched knee ligaments, sore chest where the umbrella was hitting me.
Only downside is that I contacted CTC who just couldn't care less. Strange.
Only problem now is that there will be a court case, and I'll be the only witness. Can I stand up to all that?
