Riding broken

I just started using one of those cheapie cameras off eBay from that other thread. Things like this make me really think they could be useful for evidence. I'm impressed you got the registration and clear description, I'm rubbish at that.

This is going to become a serious issue.

Those of us riding in primary position are encountering a lot of abuse from drivers who do not understand that we have a right to position ourselves safely.

Festus (Multigrooves), myself and David (skydancer) have all been physically attacked simply for our road positioning.

The police are currently sampling DNA from a car passenger who attacked me 2 weeks ago with a view to a GBH prosecution. If anyone else has similar cases then use your membership of LCC etc to help leverage media coverage. The police are keen to make mine a priority because it looks good for them, they get to use hi tech shit to solve a low tech problem and it is an issue that is in the public eye at the moment.

I have already spoken with David, though I am shocked and appalled at what happened I am in no way surprised by this.

At times this does feel like a fairly militant battle, but fuck I am always up for a bit of a verbal scuffle and to fuck someones day up, so we need to report them to the police, steal their keys etc.

The next time you think "should i report what just happened" fucking make the call, it does not take long and could save someone else from being attacked/injured at a later date.

The number of drivers who feel they need 3 feet clearance from parked cars but then expect bikes to travel 6 inches away is very high. The drivers have no comprehension of what makes for safe practice for cyclists.

The way we can improve this is reporting all similar cases and going for media coverage too. In this way we both address the actual drivers themselves and also the public perception of where is safe to be on the road. The number of weak cyclists who say to me "I am a really good considerate cyclist, i always ride in the gutter" leaves me really concerned as to how much re-education is required.

If you tolerate crap from motorists they will learn that their behaviour is acceptable and tolerated. Fuck that shit, we may lose the odd skirmish but we will eventually win the battle.

Really sorry to hear that, James--perhaps it's true what they say, that the hot weather breeds more aggression. :(

On my way to see Giant Sand at the barbican (great gig) I was riding down petherton rd , a driver in a builders van hooted his horn as i approached the mini roundabout atop beresford road. I had stopped to give way to a woman driving on the roundabout.

David will be in a better position to say what it was, but to me it sounds that he was simply following the Highway Code, not doing anything particular about road positioning. The rules concerning mini-roundabouts seem among the least-known rules in the Highway Code, judging here purely from my observations of people's behaviour around mini-roundabouts--very few people get it right. (That said, mini-roundabouts are a fairly nonsensical traffic measure. They rarely make sense, so people's confusion is understandable to a certain extent. One thing that always causes complete chaos is if someone is doing a U-turn at one (as they are entitled to).)

Skydancer, GWS and crossing fingers for A&E report...

He was in the Whittington a couple of hours ago waiting for an x-ray.

I recently felt slightly orf. Carried on cycling everyday and thought nothing of it. Turns out I was riding with a broken appendix and intestine. My appendix grew an abscess which attached itself to my intestin and ripped it. Still not riding (only had surgery 3 weeks ago).

Poo

Thanks so much for all messages and posts. You forum folk are so amazing .

The good news is that my patella is 90% not broken. Another specialist will check the xrays over weekend just in case.The patella is raised probably due to blood build up so still unable to bend knee. Need to go back to hospital monday for check for tears on Monday.

Elbow swollen cut and bruised but thankfully unbroken

So its raised foot and ice for a few days and a certificate for 1 week off work (just as the tour comes to an end -timing fail:-) and need to get used to crutches for a while

Fuck that shit, we may lose the odd skirmish but we will eventually win the battle.

Thing is though, will we? Are the police actually going to make a difference? no.

How much should we really antagonize these people driving in 1-4 tonne death machines?

I give my share of verbal abuse and sign language and have had drivers stop and square up to me before.

In these situations though I have looked them in the eye and told them exactly what they have done wrong, and the fact that while they are risking a scratch on their car, for me, my life is at risk.

kind of puts it in perspective sucks the air out of their attack.

Obviously wouldn't have been any good in the situation above but would reccomend it rather than continuing to hurl abuse or get physical.

Any word about the police following up on this attack, or am I being naive?

Really sorry to hear that, James--perhaps it's true what they say, that the hot weather breeds more aggression. :(

David will be in a better position to say what it was, but to me it sounds that he was simply following the Highway Code, not doing anything particular about road positioning. The rules concerning mini-roundabouts seem among the least-known rules in the Highway Code, judging here purely from my observations of people's behaviour around mini-roundabouts--very few people get it right. (That said, mini-roundabouts are a fairly nonsensical traffic measure. They rarely make sense, so people's confusion is understandable to a certain extent. One thing that always causes complete chaos is if someone is doing a U-turn at one (as they are entitled to).)

Riding primary does piss some drivers off (especially if the rider isn't communicating back) mostly they beep or sometimes swear. I generally put this down to them having their expectations of where a cyclists should be not met. also drivers must get fustrated by the stop start jammed nature of that form of transport with no physical means of working off aggression.

In the case of may incident I hadn;t been riding with that driver behind me for more than a few metres and i stopped at the roundabout as oliver suggested just in line with the highway code to give way. It was the passenger who attacked me and from his look (sorry aboiut the stereotyping here) White skinhead in what could have been an england football kit ,it may have nothing to do with my cycling but could have been something else .

I'm about to call the police to report back about the medical infomation and let them know that according to 2 of the witnesses he threw a penny at my head from the car window before he jumped out. It missed me and landed in the middle of the roundabout. Ihave the coin and hope it may have fingerprints

Any word about the police following up on this attack, or am I being naive?

The police seem very keen to get him. Seems the number plates noted by 2 witnesses belong to a different car to the one involved

Wishing you all the luck with the cops getting the bastard.

Good news, given the circumstances, on the injury front. Likewise, I hope the police catch him. This sounds like a person who could have a criminal record.

Shit David, no! Really sorry to hear this. I hope they catch the b'stads.
And I supposed this means no polo for a day or too then ;)

WTF has the world come to.

Get well soon mate and keep us posted.

Good news, given the circumstances, on the injury front. Likewise, I hope the police catch him. This sounds like a person who could have a criminal record.

Hopefully he's about to have a criminal record.

I guess the injuries could have been a lot worse; as long as this doesn't turn in to the new Clive's Arse thread.
Never worry SkyDancer: I shall make sure the office is running smoothly in your absence.

David

Just seen this. Truly horrible. The thought of Will taking care of your office is wholely unimaginable.

Heal fully and quickly.

Shit David, no! Really sorry to hear this. I hope they catch the b'stads.
And I supposed this means no polo for a day or too then ;)

WTF has the world come to.

Get well soon mate and keep us posted.

Thanks Joni. Probably won't be tuesdays throw ins and by last weeks turn out i won't be missed. Thankfully i shouldn't be out of action for too long. You set up a great session and its so appreciated by us polo-noobs

I guess the injuries could have been a lot worse; as long as this doesn't turn in to the new Clive's Arse thread.
Never worry SkyDancer: I shall make sure the office is running smoothly in your absence.

David

Just seen this. Truly horrible. The thought of Will taking care of your office is wholely unimaginable.

Heal fully and quickly.

Cheers clive... Will is being kept busy training cyclists and couriering well away from our office.He's best working the streets;-]

I thought it was a euphamism?

by last weeks turn out i won't be missed.

You will be missed.
Hurry up and heal please.

Cheers clive... Will is being kept busy training cyclists and couriering well away from our office.He's best working the streets;-]

Er.........not from next Wednesday I am not. I am helping with bookings for three days a week for the next seven weeks or so. You might like to extend your sick leave :)

^Blimy i'm away for a day and the order of everything changes ?-)

Who do you think organised that little 'incident' last night?
Took me six hours to get that RADA student looking like an authentic skinhead. And he still can't call anyone a cunt with any conviction.

would you like some help? :)

^Blimy i'm away for a day and the order of everything changes ?-)

When the cat's away ... :)