wvm nearly gets taken out by a wvm

Do you ever see him under normal circumstances? Just slip it into the conversation that you've gone native and that you now really understand all road users' points of view. Stress how much fun cycling is and if he bites, offer to help him get started. Other than that, I wouldn't make any kind of aggressive or reproachful, erm, approach, as he'd just get defensive (unless you catch a really good opportunity for mentioning it), and you would be very unlikely to contribute to him stopping being inattentive.

Last time I actually spoke to the guy was probably 10+ years ago so chances of speaking to him in the immediate future are pretty slim and tbh I'm just chalking this one up, with the (many) others, to experience. BUT IF HE EVER DOES IT TO ME AGAIN........

Whilst we would have collided if I hadn't stopped and I expect I would have hit the side of him rather than him hit me, I was actually fully stationary right before the crossroads and with my hands up in the air in a WTF gesture as he rolled past - I'm pretty sure he spotted me at that point. I think I actually knew he was going to 'go for it' before even he did.

I hate riding along the Welling High Street. I am always on alert there. Too many cars parking up and pulling out again, after collecting takeaways and not looking out for bikes.

If by Welling High Street you mean Bellegrove Road, I quite enjoy that stretch but know exactly what you mean about the parked cars. I prefer it when there's a bit of traffic and I can ride in the traffic rather than alone or close to the parked cars. Not had any near misses there yet but saying that's probably cocked the trigger on an already loaded gun.

Couple of fine gentlemen were driving down Kennington road in a blue toyota celica yesterday at around 6:20, beeping there horn at any cyclist that in any way tried to use more of the road than the gutter.

I caught up with them and pointed out that they were c*nts, and what the f*ck did they think they were doing?

The chap in the passenger seat pointed out that "bikes are thin" and that therefore "they should stay out the way blud".

I pointed out that he was an even more stupid c*nt than I had previously thought, and then added that he was a c*nt.

At this point he started trying to open the door to "knock you the f*ck out blud", luckily he had forgotten where the door handle was actually located in his vehicle, and so I pedalled off into the distance whilst he tried to work out how to get out into the road.

I'm just chalking this one up, with the (many) others, to experience.

Best way to take that.

We've often, in our heads, gone through the whole conversation that you'd like to have with the driver who just pissed you off, but you really shouldn't have THAT conversation. The one that takes place after you've calmed down, that's the one to have. It doesn't always happen that way, hey, we're all human.

with my hands up in the air in a WTF gesture as he rolled past

I love that guesture. I do it mostly for the benefit of the drivers behind who are thinking of pulling the same shit.

Congrats to you for some good head's up riding. Ironic ways of getting injured are lame.

Last time I actually spoke to the guy was probably 10+ years ago so chances of speaking to him in the immediate future are pretty slim and tbh I'm just chalking this one up, with the (many) others, to experience. BUT IF HE EVER DOES IT TO ME AGAIN........

Time, then, to open the conversation with a friendly 'renewing acquaintance' sort of spiel. 'Hi, haven't seen you for ages ...'. The implication 'and then you nearly knock me down' is automatic and doesn't need to be spelled out. He'd get the point--it could be someone he knows--without you having to say anything else. Win-win.

Couple of fine gentlemen were driving down Kennington road in a blue toyota celica yesterday at around 6:20, beeping there horn at any cyclist that in any way tried to use more of the road than the gutter.

I caught up with them and pointed out that they were c*nts, and what the f*ck did they think they were doing?

The chap in the passenger seat pointed out that "bikes are thin" and that therefore "they should stay out the way blud".

I pointed out that he was an even more stupid c*nt than I had previously thought, and then added that he was a c*nt.

At this point he started trying to open the door to "knock you the f*ck out blud", luckily he had forgotten where the door handle was actually located in his vehicle, and so I pedalled off into the distance whilst he tried to work out how to get out into the road.

:)

I hate riding along the Welling High Street. I am always on alert there. Too many cars parking up and pulling out again, after collecting takeaways and not looking out for bikes.

If by Welling High Street you mean Bellegrove Road, I quite enjoy that stretch but know exactly what you mean about the parked cars. I prefer it when there's a bit of traffic and I can ride in the traffic rather than alone or close to the parked cars. Not had any near misses there yet but saying that's probably cocked the trigger on an already loaded gun.

Me and my big mouth - people carrier full of Poles pulled out across Bellegrove Road from RHS straight in front of me to head in same direction as I'm travelling. Hefty braking and shouting from me and a waved apology from the front seat passenger. Got a sorry from the driver too when I got alongside them at the lights further up so didn't bother questioning his parentage.
They did have takeaway pizza on their laps too.

Couple of fine gentlemen were driving down Kennington road in a blue toyota celica yesterday at around 6:20, beeping there horn at any cyclist that in any way tried to use more of the road than the gutter.

Weird when you find people on a mission. There was an irritating little adolescent riding up Portland Street this evening, saying "awright princess!" to every female cyclist he passed. God knows what was going on in his head.

Weird when you find people on a mission. There was an irritating little adolescent riding up Portland Street this evening, saying "awright princess!" to every female cyclist he passed. God knows what was going on in his head.

That's quite sweet in a bizarre way. He just wants a friend :(

Weird when you find people on a mission. There was an irritating little adolescent riding up Portland Street this evening, saying "awright princess!" to every female cyclist he passed. God knows what was going on in his head.

There used to be a guy standing near the entrance to the Southbound Blackwall Tunnel happily waving at the traffic in the evening rush hour. I've not seen him in a while.....