Whilst riding along the canal towpath I suddenly came across a group of 8-9 gentlemen riding saurons and sauron clones all wearing balaclavas.... I was going quite a pace and I don't think they could turn around quickly enough to come back after me as they were all facing towards me.
Not quite sure anyone would be wearing a balaclava in this heat, genuinely thought I was about to see a machete.
Maybe a path to avoid at that time of day in the future?
Maybe a path to avoid at that time of day in the future?
Indeed, you used to it being light into the evening I hadn't realized what time it was... What's weird is that this part of the canal is pretty much in the town whereas the last 15 kilometers I'd been cycling along was a lot more remote
There's a few gents who go out near me on their surround with a similar dress code.
Got chatting to a couple at the top of the local trails - they just like getting out and riding their bikes. Never going to stop them riding public trails, so asked them to ease off the power going up the lips. Seemed pretty receptive, they genuinely didn't realise the damage their bikes caused. Didn't broach the subject of the safety bally... don't think I could keep a straight face asking that question.
Yep, they absolutely have a reputation which is based on the number of crims legging it on surron types, but a big group all on their own bikes are generally nothing to worry about. If when you see a couple of bikes running two up that you want to worry, they have the means to jump off and pull you off your bike.
If when you see a couple of bikes running two up that you want to worry,
That there’s never a scaffold pole handy when you need it… 🤔
Not quite sure anyone would be wearing a balaclava in this heat,
It stops them being identified and not wearing a helmet means the Police rarely try to chase/catch/follow them
Whilst riding along the canal towpath I suddenly came across a group of 8-9 gentlemen riding saurons and sauron clones all wearing balaclavas.... I was going quite a pace and I don't think they could turn around quickly enough to come back after me as they were all facing towards me.
I had the same on a local towpath a few weeks ago, 6 of them coming towards me quite fast. I thought the same as the OP, that I was going to end up in the canal and minus my e-bike but they just blasted past.
Once they'd gone past, I rode on and saw a few pedestrians along there, one with a dog and she was still absolutely terrified.
She saw me and I think initially thought it was another Surron Scumbag, she was cowering into the verge holding her dog close. They must have buzzed her doing 30+ mph.
It stops them being identified and not wearing a helmet means the Police rarely try to chase/catch/follow them
Wait, so if you're wearing a helmet the police consider the risks suitably mitigated and take off in pursuit?
That sounds like they are putting too much faith in the magical protective quality of helmets.
According to a mate of mine who is a serving copper the no helmet = no chase theory is rubbish. There’s been quite a few videos posted on Facebook by various police forces of tactical contact on scallies wearing safety balaclavas.
What's weird is that this part of the canal is pretty much in the town
Those are generally seen as the more risky areas. Quiet enough not too many witnesses but busy enough there will be some victims.
Plus dont have to go 15k with a stolen bike.
Not quite sure anyone would be wearing a balaclava in this heat,
It stops them being identified and not wearing a helmet means the Police rarely try to chase/catch/follow them
No longer true - seen several recent Police videos of them "tactically stopping" Surron riders.
*I probably should have read a couple more posts.
Certainly I've had sensible and safe encounters with these kids, but their reputation proceeds them.
My worry is the speed they do on the shared paths - only barely in control. Had a group blast past me a couple of years ago - one shat himself when he came round the corner and I was there on the bike. Did get an attempted mugging by four youths on normal MTB's a couple of years ago. Warm evening, 5pm, rush hour on The Fallowfield Loop - got swerved into and a bike thrown in my path. Good old 90's MTB with panniers just barged through.
It stops them being identified and not wearing a helmet means the Police rarely try to chase/catch/follow them
Speaking to cops recently at a surgery they held at my local library, they're only allowed to chase them if they're trained intercept officers. Otherwise regular cops can only arrest them if the bikes are stationary, despite the fact that the bike riders are often drug mules, i don't think anyone wants the death of a teenager on their conscious. They told me quite plainly that it pisses them off equally. Their advice is don't interact with them (they often carry knives), call the non-emergency line and report it. Locally to me (Manchester) they at least have a dedicated off-road team to try to reduce the impact these bikes/riders have on the rest of us.
I've
No longer true - seen several recent Police videos of them "tactically stopping" Surron riders.
I would be delighted to see a video end in the officer whipping the safety bally* off a perp and identifying them like the last scene in a Scooby Doo cartoon...
.
.
.
*Phrase noted, with mirth, for future use.
I've had a couple of encounters recently on my late night canal path commute home, where certain types don't seem to be aware you pass on the left. One e-moto ****er with his hood up during the heatwave, no lights, rode straight at me (hi-vis, multiple lights) clearly expecting me to get out of his way. Nah. Drove him into the undergrowth, had a few words. He came to see my point of view.
