So today on a local xc spin with my friend we had a little “encounter” with two walkers. I’ve read many such accounts on here and often thought ” I would’ve done this, or that” well today it was my turn.
We were riding along a (mixed use) gravel trail, the section of trail had a gentle downhill, at the bottom a small stream then a steep uphill. The trail/path was about 5ft wide at this point with no obstructions or verges on either side. Out of the corner of my eye I saw two walkers, in single file walking towards the stream. When my mate crossed the stream the walkers split up and one stepped directly in front of him. He squeezed between them, despite the walkers making a pretty obvious and deliberate attempt to stop him in his tracks.
As I approached the stream crossing I saw the closer of the two walkers side stepping along the width of the trail, trying to place himself directly in my way. So I splashed through the stream, and stopped dead, right in front of him, which was obviously his intention. He got some water on him, which he hadn’t anticipated. That’s when it all went a bit pear shaped. The first walker grabbed me and tried to shove me off the bike. Due to my surprise at this, he almost succeeded. But then I ditched the bike and stepped up to confront him, at this point I could see in his eyes he had realised he had just done a potentially very stupid thing.
I informed him that he had just assaulted me, and asked him if he thought I should reciprocate the gesture. I got up in his face as it were. He denied assaulting me, and accused me of splashing him, and claimed my friend had almost run him over. I informed the two walkers (they were both involved now) that they had deliberately obstructed us, and were out to cause trouble. I told them that they were lucky I was in control of my temper, and that someone else may well have killed them. It was obvious nothing constructive was going to come out of the conversation so I walked on, and the guy who shoved me shouted back ” you know what it is, you are just b*stards”.
I thought it was amusing and surreal that they had so completely lost the plot. So, I think by and large I did the right thing by not making the situation worse. Right?