Almost bottled in Elephant & Castle

This does bring up a serious consideration for the inner city cyclist though. Do you arm yourself with more than a clumsy D-Lock that you might be able to lay your hand on. A baseball bat may be a bit big for your everyday cycle bag but something with a bit of reach and some weight could do.

Yes escalating any situation always resolves it peacefully.

Anyone got a link for that "I ride with a loaded glock" thread, maybe it was bikeforums or bikeradar... ridiculous.
But that's in the USA where they all have semi automatic pocket bazooka flamethrowers or something like that. Not here.

Get yourself out of harm's way. Then call the cops.