Had an ace ride today. Time is very limited for me atm to get out and ride, so I really want to enjoy every ride. Headed out this morning from Horwich, over Winter Hill, down a super-sketchy cheeky trail off the masts, then headed across the Rivi-Belmont road, rode up to Great Hill (riding really well), then dropped all the way down to White Coppice which was in A1 conditions (I don't ride here unless I'm happy it'll be dry)
Chilling out at the very bottom of the White Coppice descent, getting my breath back, and this bloke comes through the gate from the cricket pitch and starts mouthing off at me, telling me 'You shouldn't be here' etc etc. Over and over. He had two young boys with him, probably his grandsons. I was pretty taken aback, and was unable to respond other than telling him that it was silly that I was not able to ride here, he was a sad little man for berating me, and there were surely other, bigger issues to be chasing. He kept on baiting me, saying 'but, you shouldn't be here!'
Afterwards, riding back home, I was kicking myself for not having some better patter off-pat. The evolution of the human race, and the absurdity of the PROW network in England and Wales were some of the items that sprung to mind.
So, what's your best comeback at a 'holier than thou footpath user'?
