What to do?

[Accy cyclist]

Buy some dog biscuits, stop and give them to him as a peace offering and see what happens - escalation never helps

He might be offended by being offered dog biscuits! Maybe some custard creams, bourbons or chocolate digestives would be better?

 

[fossyant]

Grab the hook, but he will be on his ass, and might break something.

Get a T6 burn your eyes out bike light, and switch to strobe just before you pass. He won't be able to see.

 

[GuyBoden]

Politely get off your bike, slowly walk past him and bid him good day....................

Doffing of your hat (or headwear) is optional...........

 

[classic33]

Based on the OP, the dogs sound under full control. There's a difference between being under control and being on a lead. A well trained dog shouldn't need a lead.

And maybe the dogs aren't used to bikes. I've walked past dogs that have only had a glance in my direction, before putting their head back down whilst I was walking past them. Going past them with a bike, that was different. Bike kept between me and them at all times.

 

[snorri]

I'm not saying that he should not be walking on the road, my point was more of a common sense approach, why put yourself at risk when there is a much safer area to walk on? And to stand still so far out from the verge when oncoming traffic is approaching is nothing more than being plain stubborn IMHO, again, why put yourself at risk?

It rather looks as if it's your own selfish behaviour that has raised the ire of this elderly gentleman, your reason for failing to comply with the Highway Code because you didn't want to lose momentum is pathetic.
You reap what you sow.

 

[AlanW]

Politely get off your bike, slowly walk past him and bid him good day....................

After the very first encounter, albeit a good few days later after I had calmed down, I tried to look at the situation from both angles, so weighing up the pros and the cons from all aspects. And as already been suggested I actually did start nodding my head at him, and in fact one night I even slowed right down to say something to him, but as I approached he raised his crook ready for action. I', sure he thought that I was going to stop and thump him, but I simply said to him as I passed by, "its turned out quite nice now hasnt it?".

The look on his face was priceless, the silly old twat certainly didnt expect that.......

For a number of nights after that I contined to nod my head as I passed him, but it was a one way correspondance and I think he thought I was taking the p*ss. Which oOkay......I'll fess up, yes I was.....

Then he dissappeared and I didnt see him again for ages, but then as if by magic he is back again. Then over time the nodding stopped and I now just blank him as much as I can. Although I seem to recall he did shout something at me one night that contained a some foul mouthed comment but I was out of ear shot and only caught the "key" words?

And after the other night we are now back where we started......hey ho.

 

[AlanW]

It rather looks as if it's your own selfish behaviour that has raised the ire of this elderly gentleman, your reason for failing to comply with the Highway Code because you didn't want to lose momentum is pathetic.
You reap what you sow.

Yep....all my fault, I do so humbly apologise

 

[fossyant]

Burn him..... Me, potsy and Wanda can lend you some lumens...

 

[AlanW]

Burn him..... Me, potsy and Wanda can lend you some lumens...

Petrol would be better?

 

[snorri]

Yep....all my fault, I do so humbly apologise

Sarcasm doesn't help your argument, you just don't get it.
How do you feel about road users who fail to give way to you even although you have priority when driving, cycling or walking?

 

[jonny jeez]

Next time you see ...stop, tell him that you think his dogs are really well trained, ask him how long it took him to get them that way, ask for a couple of hints in training dogs and offer to buy him a pint in return for his advice.

Friends are.much easier to talk to then strangers.

If all that fails, lamp the #ucker

 

[AlanW]

And just to complete the scene, here is the lane in question looking at it from the direction in which I travel. It is usual that I meet said old git towards the top as he is walking down the hill opposite the farm entrance on the right hand side.

 

[sight-pin]

He replied that I should not be “speeding up and down this lane

Maybe he thought you come a little to close for comfort, but as for he's statement above....does he not realise that the road carries a 40mph speed limit.

 

[NorthernDave]

To be fair, looking at those verges, I'd probably walk in the road - especially if I was a bit unsteady on my feet as he may well be?

You've tried being reasonable, you've tried ignoring him, but from what you've said he's having none of it.
Have you considered buying a bell (Poundland do them if you don't want to spend a lot) and giving him a quick ring and a cheery "evening" as you pass? You'll also have the added benefit of knowing an incandescent rage is almost certainly eating him up from inside.

 

[rideswithmoobs]

say your sorry, ask him to apologise for his language and part in it all. And move on. If he won't then wrap the crook round his head and hoof the dogs in the nuts. (Joking)