Depressing - cycling not fixed related

This thread has reminded me of something from about 6-7 years ago. riding down a wide footpath in stepney, on the mobile, towards E14 and there was a group of about 6 lads. i just got a bad feeling and stuck the phone in my gob so i could get both hands on the bars and immediately one of them tried to grab me, but i got past.

I'd love to know to what extent I read the situation, and to what extent I caused it by apearing worried.
Best thing to do, is not not acknowledge them at all, pretend like they wern't even there. If your feeling safe(ish) give an "evenin' lads" and nothing else.