Courtesy....Would you move over..?

[funnymummy]

This evening riding along the seafront cycle path straight into a bloomin headwind, # 3 was in front little legs pumping for all they were worth, I was lagging about 10' behind towing#2, who had decided he couldn't possibly assist & pedal
Only way I could keep going was to zigzag, in fact I was zigging & zagging more then I do going up Box Hill on my Spesh!
#2's trailer has two wheels & is pretty wide - Anyways, lots of cyclist heading towards us all happily belting along with the wind pushing them from behind, all of them moved over into the pedestrian lane as they approached us, all gave a cheery smile or friendly comment, a couple shouted encouraging remarks to keep pedalling, all recieved a happy wave from #2 & a ting ting off his bell..
All but one, who chose to come hurtling straight at us, shouting something which to be totaly honest I couldn't hera over the wind blowing right at me, but I gathered from his expression & gesticulations it was something to do with move over, which I had to do sharpishly to avoid him clipping my handlebars, the left wheel of the trailer ended up in the shingle & #2 took a nasty tumble onto his handlebars.
I was furious, the chap made no attempt to even move an inch off his line but had a good 2' of cycle path to his left he could have gone into.

On the route home we were the ones with the wind behind us, as cyclist approached us we pulled over to allow them on their way, on several occasions we stopped as there were pedestrians on the path & we couldn't move over.
I don't expect automatic preferential treatment just because I tow my child on a trailer, But a little bit of common politeness is expected. I see another cyclist struggling into a headwind, or someone towing an obvioulsy heavy load, in my mind it's just common courtesy to allow them the space they need to keep moving, especilayy when you've the wind helping you along.
So what would you wonderful folk of thr CC forum do it if it had been you tonight..?

 

[rowan 46]

I would have moved over for a child on a trailer. you may not expect special treatment but you would get it from me, the guy was selfish. This maybe be overkill but I would suggest frame mounted stinger missiles for the next time you see him, get him in your sights then blast him out of existence. Seriously though the man was rude end of.

 

[cyberknight]

If i were you i would have stopped dead and made the other cyclist go around.

If i had seen you coming i would have made extra space for you and waved at mini !

It was an arrogant , ignorant tosser that you get in all walks of life and no matter what you do you will be in the wrong so do not worry about annoying them as they are more than likely in perma rage mode anyway.


If someone had tried it with me i am liable to have kneecapped him .....

 

[buddha]

I'd have bunny-hopped over you, turned around and scalped you whilst doing a wheelie

Seriously though, he should have been on the road. Plonker

 

[Piemaster]

lots of cyclist heading towards us all happily belting along with the wind pushing them from behind, all of them moved over into the pedestrian lane as they approached us, all gave a cheery smile or friendly comment, a couple shouted encouraging remarks to keep pedalling, all recieved a happy wave from #2 & a ting ting off his bell..

All but one,

Its not a cycling thing. Some people are just plain ignorant no matter what they are doing. Enjoy the pleasant interchanges with strangers that you did have.

(and I would have given you plenty of room)

 

[MacB]

Just another selfish arse I'm afraid, I had a similar incident a few years ago. This was before I got into cycling in a more serious manner and was out with the 3 boys, ages probably about 5,7&9 at the time. From home we can reach a nice wooded trail by using cyclepaths only, some of which are multi use pavements(didn't know this sort of stuff then). So, we're on our way home and I'm trying to marshall all 3 on the cyclepath that skirts a roundabout(the roundabout itself is two lanes and very quiet), in 12 years I've only seen pedestrians a couple of times and other cyclists are pretty rare. Being protective I'm trying to keep them to the right side of the path, away from the road, though they're kids so spilling around a bit, that's why we're not on the road. Anyway I see a cyclist approaching at speed, I had no idea then but now would describe him as a 'beared touring type on an old Galaxy with a Brooks saddle and a Carradice saddle bag', I'd also guess his speed at about 15mph. So I shepherded the boys over to the right and got them to stop while he went past. The guy kept heading straight at us, swerving at the very last moment(and I mean very last), scaring the boys and yelling at me that 'we keep left in England'!!!! Remember there is no-one else around, car/cyclist or pedestrian, as far as the eye can see. He has 80% of the cyclepath/pavement to himself as I'd already moved us well to the side.

I had a moment of red mist and began to turn to chase him down before sanity reasserted itself, partly as my youngest was visibly shaken and starting to tear up. I still have daydreams about gutting the guy with a blunt butter knife.

 

[funnymummy]

Thnak you, glad to hear chivalry isn't dead XX
And i'm pretty sure this little chap will say "Thanks" too when i read him the replies

 

[cyberknight]

Thnak you, glad to hear chivalry isn't dead XX
And i'm pretty sure this little chap will say "Thanks" too when i read him the replies

You want to stick some spikes like they had on roman chariots on them wheels , that would stop them


Hope little one is ok !

 

[NormanD]

Given the chance he would have finished the rest of his journey on a unicycle with the front end of his bike shoved up his **** if it had of happened to me.

Just one of them things you shake your head at and mumble "Tosser" at the same time

 

[Chilternrides]

Its not a cycling thing. Some people are just plain ignorant no matter what they are doing.

(and I would have given you plenty of room)

Spot on PieMaster - the same sort of twerp who feels obliged to brush against you when walking down the street regardless of how wide the path is, in some sort of Robin Hood / Little John testosterone driven willy-waving session. Pathetic, irritating and mannerless.

Funnymummy, next time it happens, just point and tell your kids "look at that man's little tiny willy showing through his clothes."

Er, unless it's me of course

 

[pepecat]

Some people are just a bit stupid...
I was coming along a cycle / pedestrian path along the river Rea in Brum a couple of weeks ago and i rounded a corner, and there were a woman and her partner coming in the opposite direction (on bikes). The woman was in the middle of the path, the bloke was on her right (my left). So stayed right, otherwise I'd have met the bloke head on, the woman had to move slightly to get out of my way (this path 'ain't quite wide enough for the three of us) and then she said loudly 'You're supposed to be on the left'.....

Yes, and I would be, except your partner is not on HIS left, therefore I'd have hit him if I'd stayed on my left. Eejit.

If I'd have met you and #2 on the seafront, I'd have moved over!

 

[MontyVeda]

Yep, sounds like you encountered a proper tosser there.

There used to be a running group who ran the ped/cycle track between lancaster and morecambe on a Wed night.

I met them every Wednesday on my way home from work and the 20-30 strong group filled both lanes, one or two of them would shout 'bike' well in advance, which I assumed was to tell everybody to move to one side... thing is they didn't.... every time i found myself stationary and the ignorant tossers carried on as normal.

After a while I just made my thoughts clear "This is shared use you f***ing idiot holes." and they'd give it "What's your problem?"

In retrospect I know what i should have done... pissed in a super soaker and mounted it on my bike.

 

[HLaB]

What a prat, and they will probably be the first person to shout complain if a driver treated them that way, pot, kettle, black.
If I come across any cyclist weaving or one that looks like they could, I drop off the pace and wait behind until they've saw me, occasionally they don't and I would never chastise anybody for that, I just wait for a safe gap, stand up on the pedals and shoot through.
FM & MV you want to learn how to fire snot rockets

 

[abo]

So what would you wonderful folk of thr CC forum do it if it had been you tonight..?

What a tit. Think I'd have clotheslined him as he came past...

 

[coffeejo]

I would have moved over as well, and would have slowed to say hello to you and #2 while I was at it.