Little warning re: bike muggings

[ohnovino]

I had some scally make a very half-arsed attempt at stealing my bike today.

Riding home from work down an empty street, and I spotted a guy stood at the end of an alleyway, with his back to the road, and he seemed to be watching me out of the corner of his eye; I assumed he was "having a comfort break". When I got close to him he turned around, shouted something like "Hey, that's our f***ing kid's bike" (imagine it in a heavy scouse accent for full effect) and moved towards me.

I moved out a bit and put on a little burst of speed to get clear, and when I glanced back he wasn't chasing, so I guess he was just trying it on (like people who test car door handles to see if they're unlocked). There's a part of me that wishes I'd turned round and said "if you want it, why don't you try and take it off me", but it's probably best I didn't.

Anyway, I thought I should post it just as a reminder for people to keep their eyes open and to be prepared if they see somebody eyeing them up.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Have had a few similar experiences. I find head down and hands off brakes seems to work just fine.

 

[Xiorell]

And then there's the opposite end of the scale I suppose where people don't seem to care at all


Yesterday I had stopped at tescos, got all my stuff and was just unlocking my bike and getting sorted to move on when the owner of the bike locked up next to mine come along... except it wasn't locked!

Just lent against the rack thing, it's wasn't a bad looking bike either! Nope, he just come along, wheeled it out and off he went.
It was there before my bike and I'd been in there longer than I intended so there'd been plenty of chance for it to get nicked.

 

[rusty bearing]

Few weeks back there was a guy had his mountain bike and backpack stolen at knife point while he was resting at a picnic spot overlooking Rivington in Lancashire. Seems we're going to have to go out in pairs or carry mace, tear gas or something. Very worrying!

 

[Xiorell]

Few weeks back there was a guy had his mountain bike and backpack stolen at knife point while he was resting at a picnic spot overlooking Rivington in Lancashire. Seems we're going to have to go out in pairs or carry mace, tear gas or something. Very worrying!

I'll get a trailer and take my Rottweiler everywhere

 

[david k]

I had some scally make a very half-arsed attempt at stealing my bike today.

Riding home from work down an empty street, and I spotted a guy stood at the end of an alleyway, with his back to the road, and he seemed to be watching me out of the corner of his eye; I assumed he was "having a comfort break". When I got close to him he turned around, shouted something like "Hey, that's our f***ing kid's bike" (imagine it in a heavy scouse accent for full effect) and moved towards me.

I moved out a bit and put on a little burst of speed to get clear, and when I glanced back he wasn't chasing, so I guess he was just trying it on (like people who test car door handles to see if they're unlocked). There's a part of me that wishes I'd turned round and said "if you want it, why don't you try and take it off me", but it's probably best I didn't.

Anyway, I thought I should post it just as a reminder for people to keep their eyes open and to be prepared if they see somebody eyeing them up.

thats worrying, were abouts in liverpool was it?

 

[ohnovino]

thats worrying, were abouts in liverpool was it?

One of the side roads off Edge Lane (just by the Halfords).

To be honest I didn't find the incident itself that worrying, it was more the fact that it took me by surprise. On days when I leave work early I ride home as the schools are closing, and I'm used to gangs of kids pretending to jump out in front of me. I usually know what's coming and put myself in a bit of space so there's never a problem. I just failed to anticipate this one.

 

[Chris.IOW]

One of the side roads off Edge Lane (just by the Halfords)

Maybe he was a member of staff and just wanted to see what a bike should look like when built properly?

 

[cyberknight]

Topeak road morph as a stick .....

On a more serious note i have had a few people try to get physical as i am only 5 foot 7 " ( on a good day ) but when it comes down to it i am prepared to kick their ass if i have to , a whole vibe thing comes across i guess.I would recommend some sort of self defense class to anyone who may be faced with these sort of situations , its not so much about having a lot of skill but the confidence it gives you .

 

[MontyVeda]

there was a series of incidents on the Lancaster-Morecambe cycle track a couple of years ago where cyclist were being mugged. the police did increase their presence on the track until the muggings ceased, but I'm always 'aware' when i use that stretch of track.

 

[Globalti]

Feck, we rode that track last year en famille, it goes through some really horrible sink estates.

 

[Garz]

Few weeks back there was a guy had his mountain bike and backpack stolen at knife point while he was resting at a picnic spot overlooking Rivington in Lancashire. Seems we're going to have to go out in pairs or carry mace, tear gas or something. Very worrying!

Your kidding?

I have passed through rivington into belmont doing some regular loops in the last fortnight! Where is this picnic spot so I can be more vigil?