I'm disappointed with the OP; I can only assume he did not have a full bladder, and/ or the walkers did not have any shoes.
Bike Forum
Angry/Violent walker incident. What would you have done?
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Posted 6 months ago #
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Re heading 'downhill' I don't think we've ever had a quiet walker on the way up- they've all been 'wow, your mad' or 'rather you than me'! etc.
Posted 6 months ago # -
I don't think self defense covers punching someone if you are pushed. Remember if you lamp someone, they could go down hard and really do themselves in, which is then your responsibility. Not worth it.
Shared paths are problematic IMHO if you expect to be zipping about. Remember what it feels like being a cyclist in fast traffic? That is what it feels like being a walker with fast bikes.
I am somewhat of the opinion that walkers should be treated like horses. Slow down or even stop, make sure they know you are there, say a gentle hello, give them a wide berth and a 'good-day', then continue on your way. If you are cycling somewhere it is busy with a lot of walkers, expect to slow down or even stop and walk, and try to pick a better place next time.
Regarding idiots - I was at the pool last Saturday, and whilst I was putting on my shoes at the pool entrance (can see the whole pool), I see the following: 2 person lane (slow lane, room just for two people to pass swimming), guy swimming up the lane, and this 'bear' of a guy just standing smack bang in the middle of the lane, 2 meters from the end of the lane, just looking at the chap swimming, making no attempt to get out his way! The chap swimming just swims round him, then the bear goes up to him and asks 'did you see me?' in a confrontational manner. Swimmer says yes, bear says something I can't hear, obviously some threat or the like. Unbelievable! Small minded passive-aggressive twazzocks, really. They are everywhere. In order to prevent spoiling ones day, avoiding them seems the best option.
Posted 6 months ago # -
7hz I went to our local pool and I 'didn't realise' that some locals are there every day at the sametime day in day out and have their set routines.
I found out when one just ploughed into me very roughly and carried on and aimed at me again coming back. Mental. He was a retired chap. I tried to have a word but he stoned-faced me and carried on so I had a word with the Pool manager who said 'you think thats bad, hes sworn at the female staff a number of times'. Why not ban him then?!!!!
Posted 6 months ago # -
I must just be lucky but I don't seem to get these sorts of problems with walkers etc. Yes, there might be the odd militant group of ramblers who pretty much block the trail but I don't recall ever getting into a near fisticuffs moment with any one when out of the bike.
Never had problems with horse riders either. They all seem appreciative of slowing down and a hello.
I have shouted at dog walkers previously though whose dogs are running completely out of control.
Posted 6 months ago # -
The only time I've ever wanted to lamp someone when out on the trail it was a MTBer
Me too actually.
It was on one of the Evans "Ride It" events. We'd started off and there was a couple of walkers (old couple and their dog IIRC) on the trail. "Walkers" I called out for those behind who couldn't see them, "Get over to the left". Everyone slowed and moved over, except this tall *delete swear word* on a Trek, who obviously thought it was a race.
He went barging by everyone, nearly ran over the dog, old folk had to get out of his way. "Or just barge through!" I said.
Trektwat stops at the top of the bit of trail, turns and mouths "Effing prick" (or something) at me! Not out loud, of course.
"You what?" I say, out loud of course... and off he sprints before I get to the spot where he stopped!
I wonder if it was someone on here. I've never forgotten that Trektwat.Posted 6 months ago # -
A***holes will usually find a justification to be a***holes somehow. As a previous poster has said, the best option is to learn to spot the body language from a distance and give them a wide berth. If confronted, stay calm and reasonable.
Just after moving down our was I was stopped by a woman in her early fifties who parked her Corsa on a bridleway and jumped out specially to chase after me on foot and enquire as to where exactly I intended to ride my bike. I replied that it was none of her business and that I'd ride my bike as I saw fit - within the letter of the law - and left it at that. I've ridden those same bridleways dozens of times since and I haven't seen her again. I can only assume that she's not local.
I did once get confronted by a guy on a footpath who told me that it "wasn't for bikes". I was in full agreement, for I was walking with my bike at the time, but that didn't seem to placate him.
Posted 6 months ago # -
@speshpaul
I've always lived local to the Wrekin and used it for recreation for years.
But recently (last couple of years) the walkers/ramblers have become vitriolic!
The main path up/down is 20-30 ft wide so I'm sure there's plenty of room for everyone. But even this is a route I avoid. I'm not sure many cyclists worth their salt want to just whizz back down the main path, there's plenty more to enjoy. But they seem intent on "spoiling" these tracks and confronting every cyclist that encounter. My cycling their is normally night riding, I try to avoid the masses but still get the "friends around the wrekin" not being very friendly.Posted 5 months ago # -
just pepper spray the bastard and ride off!
Posted 5 months ago # -
I've ridden up the wrekin twice in my life and both times got unfriendly narky comments from walkers - including one rude cahnt on Christmas day FFS. Would have liked to respond but it's hard to dish out the witty rejoinders when you're breathing out your aris winching up that climb.
Posted 5 months ago # -
Never had problems with horse riders either. They all seem appreciative of slowing down and a hello.
Same here, I've never had a problem with any horse-riders round my local area and in fact they have all been pretty much universally cheery and polite whenever I've passed them or met them.
Posted 5 months ago # -
I am somewhat of the opinion that walkers should be treated like horses
Whip them and them make them into glue?Posted 5 months ago # -
Great restraint, not sure I could do the same. I'd be pulling up my buff into a ninja style headress and be owning them with my mini-pump pulled from my camelback like a samuri sword.
Posted 5 months ago # -
justatheory - Member
I really wish I could say that I would've reacted as you did, but I reckon I would've gone feral on him.I would put myself in this camp. Obstruction, verbal abuse etc all well and good, but if someone gets physical and assaults me then it would be a different game.
I am not saying two wrongs make a right etc but if you push someone off their bike then you should not be too surprised to find that some people will not take very kindly to it.
I guess I am in the some people camp. It does not make me a bad person, just human.
Posted 5 months ago # -
+1 gjp
Posted 5 months ago # -
convert
You on a mild down slope but about go up a steep one so presume you were carrying max potential speed to carry you up the oncoming hill. Path is "only" 5ft wide and you were going through a stream for max splash potential. Put yourself in their shoes - could your actions have seemed intimidating or at least a bit presumptuous that they should be stepping off the path or slowing down to give you room?I know how that sounds, and I know you're only playing devils advocate, but that's not how it played out. We were cruising, jogging speed or less. My mate, when he crossed the stream (on his single speed) was almost static on the uphill until he got some power down...by this stage they had deviated from their own path to obstruct his. When this didn't work, they very obviously, and very deliberately turned their attention to me.
Where the down meets stream, and continues uphill there is also a gentle corner bearing right. The walker who shoved me rightly anticipated the natural line I would need to take to clear the stream (or I would have hit it off camber). He literally stood at the edge of the stream facing me and side stepped into my way. It was like he was getting ready to tackle someone in rugby etc. Him getting splashed was more a result of him stopping me in the stream, than me stopping in a manner so as to splash him (that was just a bonus). It was also the thing that set him off it seems.I can honestly say I am glad I didn't raise a fist and now feel like the bigger man (even though he was literally the bigger man). As I said, I always thought I would be the one to kick off in that sort of situation but I am glad I didn't, not out of fear of conflict (because I definately would have emptied both of them), but more from a moral high ground aspect.
Posted 5 months ago # -
You on a mild down slope but about go up a steep one so presume you were carrying max potential speed to carry you up the oncoming hill. Path is "only" 5ft wide and you were going through a stream for max splash potential. Put yourself in their shoes - could your actions have seemed intimidating or at least a bit presumptuous that they should be stepping off the path or slowing down to give you room?
How many times have walkers walking up a slope observed riders coming down barely in control? Yes sir you have 6inch disc rotors but the way you descend looks like you have poor body position, screeching brakes and your riding face looks a wee bit scared.
Now you see this and someone comes close to you so abit further along you think its going to happen again......
We all seem to think we are descending gods but how many times have we been close to coming off descending or feeling 'abit sketchy'. Walkers see this.
Empathy folks.
Posted 5 months ago #
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