A nutter jumps out deliberately in front, so as to obstruct the path of a rider. If nutter gets knocked down or hurt, who's fault is it?
I had one this morning, 4 Metre wide empty hardpack on the flat. MOD land, used by walkers, MTB'ers and regular races. Me spinning along nicely going to work just enjoying it. A single bloke on his own (definitely no dog with this one) going the other way sees me 100M off and starts waving his hands and saying "slow down". His manner says no reason other than "I'm a nutter who hates cyclists". No dog, no kids, no emergency anything. He's prancing about from one side to the other about trying to block me as I change sides about three times.
In the end I gave up and rode straight at him fast. He swore at me when he dodged at the last moment, and continued to his "slow down" rant as I continued on the empty track.
I do slow down for nice people, normal people, kids, and the responsible dog owners (those ones who care to look and manage a smile). I don't slow down for nutters who deliberately obstruct me on an empty and very wide track.
I'll be on the lookout for him tomorrow, but should I ride straight at him again or should I stop? If I'd hit him, who'd be liable if injuries caused an issue?
