If you were the MTBer in Leigh woods this morning who had an altercation with two guys and a dog walking down the trail, just want to check you're ok now you've calmed down a bit?
Lots of people and their dogs on the trail today and it's getting worse. To be honest, those guys were asking for it the moment they asked you wtf you were going to do about it and I think they learned a lesson today. Don't pick a fight with someone unless you are willing to go through with it and don't pick on someone clearly bigger than you!
Adrenaline does some crazy things. At least you didn't strangle them.
None of that sounds good...
OK, I've fallen for the trailer, now give us the full story please....
OK, I’ve fallen for the trailer, now give us the full story please….
Yeah, this.
and the video off your phone...
Had the dog shat in the washing machine before realising it was hammering sausages into a non existent lawn?
Yep, pics or it didn’t happen…
looking forward to this. seen too many stories on road.cc where cyclists get battered by angry Brads in Range Rovers. It's time we got John Wick CC yo
Would be nice to have a general description of the doggers involved. I ride there lots and would like avoid this type of thing!
More info OP
I was there early today. There were loads of spuds walking on the trails. Even a couple of mtber's heading the wrong way up the quarry trail.
Be nice, say hi, politely inform them they are on a bike trail and it's a risky place to walk. Mtb does not come off well from people getting agro about it. Depending on who owns the land they are potentially legally allowed to be there (the case around here on council land for example).
steveh
Full MemberBe nice, say hi, politely inform them they are on a bike trail and it’s a risky place to walk. Mtb does not come off well from people getting agro about it. Depending on who owns the land they are potentially legally allowed to be there (the case around here on council land for example
Massive assumption that the rider didn’t try that first
Today was particularly bad for walkers on cycle trails, dogs with no leads on cycle trails and big groups of ebikers not knowing where to ride. Might start carrying popcorn round with me for when I get to see the next ruckus between confused ebiker and angry dog walker, any luck they will fall into someone’s T5 and scratch some paint 😂
Massive assumption that the rider didn’t try that first
Massive assumption to draw any conclusions at all from the info provided so far
Yikes!
They shouldn't have pushed him.
I missed the very beginning of it but was drawn to it because there was some pretty crazy shouting.
When it all finished I followed the MTBer to see if he was ok. He wasn't, he was pretty shaken up and very regretful that he let his anger get to him.
He told me two guys had a dog off lead were walking along the bike trail, he said to them that they were on a bike trail. One of the guys said 'what the fk are you going to do about it?', he said he started to ride off then one of them went said something along the lines of 'go on fk off'.
MTBer said he just snapped. Got off his bike and grabbed one and threw him to the ground, the other basically crapped himself. He had hold of one of them and was basically shouting in his face, then said he realised what he was doing, picked the guy up and apologised and walked away with his bike which was where I stepped in to see if he was ok.
Can't really say I got a look at either of the guys with the dog. I just saw a huge 20st 6'3" guy who looked like he could snap trees in half in his current state. He had a nice bike, Whyte t129 with fox kashima forks.
Got off his bike and grabbed one and threw him to the ground, the other basically crapped himself. He had hold of one of them and was basically shouting in his face, then said he realised what he was doing, picked the guy up and apologised and walked away
Not that violence is the answer, but I'd say the dog walkers have probably learnt a lesson!
Haha good on him!!! Serves the gobby shites right! They're lucky he didn't give them both a proper kicking!
There's a world of arseholes out there, maybe next time they'll think twice about giving it Larry Large.
Sounds a decent enough guy, and all 3 of them will think a bit more next time.
Sounds like Larry Large is a b it of an arsehole too...
Where was this? Doesn't sound like a place I'd happily frequent...
Ha ha, I like the fact that you can't really describe the dog walkers but know what bike and forks the 20 stoner had
Was it a trail dog?
The fact he was so shaken suggest he's by nature more of a gentle giant who snapped rather than an arsehole thug.
As someone not far from that size I used to get people trying to goad me when I was on a night out, you can't win, don't react and they're all 'brave' for going at a big lad, if you flatten them you're a big bully.
They’re lucky he didn’t give them both a proper kicking!
Yea, that would've solved the conflict between users of the woods wouldn't it 🙄
Yea, that would’ve solved the conflict between users of the woods wouldn’t it
Yes, that’s why he said it was lucky.
Edit: actually, you probably judged the tone of that post better than me on first read! Argh whatever chill out.
As someone not far from that size I used to get people trying to goad me when I was on a night out, you can’t win, don’t react and they’re all ‘brave’ for going at a big lad, if you flatten them you’re a big bully.
Yeah I knew someone who was an anchor for a tug o’ war team, he was known as Alex the Viking. He was huge and hated it because all he ever got was people trying to match up against him, week in, week out.
I've met a few dog walkers and families with young kids on various trails around the Surrey Hills and normally we acknowledge each other and are on our way. Often I'll point out that they're on a (unofficial) MTB trail, and they need to i) keep an eye on their dog(s) and ii) keep a look out for bikers.
A bit of mutual respect is all it takes with most people. OTOH a grown adult who retorts with "WTF are you gonna do about it" is an arsehole, plain and simple. No need for that. We're all there to enjoy the trails, not act like self-entitled Billy Big Bo11ock5. Keep behaving like that and one day they'll say it to the wrong person.
To be clear to those unfamiar with the place, these trails are official and dedicated one-way singletrack. The speeds you can get up to would really mess up both the rider and dog/pedestrian.
@goldfish24 yup, @rOcKeTdOg got COMPLETELY the wrong end of the stick there.
What is an (unofficial) bike trail ,a path ?
God, here we go.
To be clear to those unfamiar with the place, these trails are official and dedicated one-way singletrack. The speeds you can get up to would really mess up both the rider and dog/pedestrian.
That was my assumption. I'm guessing those two guys were the straw that broke the camel's back and pushed him a stage too far.
I often think I would do the same, then I remember I'm an overweight middle aged guy who is likely to end being mashed to a pulp. It all goes so much better in my head.
As CSB said, it’s very much a good place to ride and I have never had any sort of issue like this. Very little conflict, just the odd person or group walking on the bike trails. Generally people who are lost!
I ride there a lot and you do see people on the trails occasionally. Tbh I'm surprised there aren't more. It's not that obvious it's a bike trail, there aren't many signs where the trail crosses the paths. It was more noticeable over lockdown as there was a lot of pressure on public spaces.
The way I see it, doesn't matter who's a walker and who's on a bike etc. Boils down to, some 'brave' mouthy p*ick got a wake up call and wont be such an ar*ehole next time. Was probably lucky not to get a few slaps.
As someone not far from that size I used to get people trying to goad me when I was on a night out, you can’t win, don’t react and they’re all ‘brave’ for going at a big lad, if you flatten them you’re a big bully.
John Amaechi talks about that with great and fascinating insight.
Sounds like someone got a shove they didn't need on a bad day. It happens.
A twenty stone gentle giant "just snapped" after advising a dog walker that they were walking on a bike trail and by returns got told to **** off, came close to (probably justifiably) battering the miserable shitehawk and his mate, then felt guilty and went for a bit of a cry?
I'm wholly on Andre's side on the face of it, but I think there's an amount here that needs further explanation (or anger management counselling). "Excuse me sir, are you aware that you're walking on a bike track and you might get hurt" ➡ "What the **** are you going to do about it" ➡ "hospitalise you," I fear we've leaped a few intermediate steps here.
[well, that escalated quickly .gif]
You never know what kind of day someone is having or what they may be dealing with. No intermediate steps required on the wrong day.
“Excuse me sir, are you aware that you’re walking on a bike track and you might get hurt” ➡ “What the * are you going to do about it” ➡ “hospitalise you,” I fear we’ve leaped a few intermediate steps here.
I think you’re being a bit dismissive to “What the * are you going to do about it” which often translates to, “you are a c**t and a coward and I’m happy for violence to occur, c**t”. It’s one of the few retorts specifically designed to bypass intermediate steps and go straight to fight or flight.
Not that violence is the answer, but I’d say the dog walkers have probably learnt a lesson!
Yes, they probably now won't ask "what the **** are you going to do about it" next time. Saying that is pretty much an invitation to a fight isn't it so what did they expect.
As a 6'4" (and closer to twenty stone than I'm entirely happy with) mostly gentle giant, I have a theory that I shall call the "Oh sugar, I'm not in the pub and have no back up" moment of realisation. Always when commuting. Usually after they've exited the car and suddenly realised it's a wet Monday morning, I'm not going anywhere and there's probably a few people filming their aggression already. They just slink back into their cars.
Thing is it's all precipitated by foul mouthed abuse until they have that moment of clarity..
Two v one intimidation fail, wish I'd been there to see it, good on him I say, apart from the apologising bit.
I've had too many ice cream runs at Rivington ruined by dog walkers, most with dogs off their leads, one silly cow had a st bernard and alsation loose.
Is ice cream run a one way bike trail? I thought it was a byway?
Icr is actually a green lane.
And actually one of the few legal trails in rivington.
But I mean what sort of selfish ****er thinks it's there just for their own fun....
Oh.....
I'd have stopped to say hello to the St Bernard.
Had someone try to start a fight with me up Rivington a few months ago actually, using the same kind of challenge as in the OP.
That was for the sin of riding up the footpath from Wilderswood to the mast road.
Also, noticing an increase in properly miserable looking (and bloody ignorant!) dog walkers out and about, can only assume the cliched lockdown puppy joy is wearing off. The actual walking a dog would be the one upside of ownership for me, but a hell of a lot of them look as if it's the last place they'd rather be!.
This is where you tell me all about how locals rule...
..and yuppie insects like me shouldn't be surfing your break, right?
Some one recently grabbed me on a narrow part of the TPT because I'd asked ( not overly politely, it has to be said) to keep his 3 labs under some sort of control. I'd slowed up as I could see them darting about and lunging at other dogs and each other, and it was odds on that as soon as I decided on a direction one of the daft things would've aimed for my wheels...As I came near to him, he just grabbed at me in an attempt to do...who knows what really? He was an older fella, and I think he was just angry that he'd been challenged about his dogs. Once he made a grab for me he just had this daft look on his face when I think he realised he had no other plan of what to do next. So he just let go, (he'd reached at my arms and had a fist full of jersey) and started to shout about his rights to walk his dogs where he wanted and bicycle without bells (I've got a bell) and whatever. I just rode away before I did something stupid in retaliation
People can get really defensive, and see their actions as some-one else's to deal with. I don't know what to do about it, other than try to limit my engagement with them.
I’d have stopped to say hello to the St Bernard.
Possibly if the barrel of brandy was present. 🙂
To be honest I would have likely reacted to the little scrotes in the same way, as I'm an ex-bouncer with a bit of a low threshold for c****. Hopefully they'll consider being a bit more considerate of other people next time, as this is the only way people like that learn.
As others have said they're cheapshotting Pub bullies when their mates are around but when they don't have 8 mates with them they are all mouth. Just be careful they aren't carrying something sharp and point as sort of person have a tendency to.
Also, noticing an increase in properly miserable looking (and bloody ignorant!) dog walkers out and about, can only assume the cliched lockdown puppy joy is wearing off. The actual walking a dog would be the one upside of ownership for me, but a hell of a lot of them look as if it’s the last place they’d rather be!.
Very much this!
I’d have stopped to say hello to the St Bernard.
Possibly if the barrel of brandy was present.
I suspect it was actually a Bernese mountain dog, as I've seen a lady with a couple at Rivington in the past.
Dunno if they carry any liquor.
I once had an altercation with a guy that grabbed hold of Mrsstu and tried to pull her off her bike.
He was most surprised when I dived off my bike and grabbed him by the neck until he let go of her.
I was most surprised when his false teeth flew out as I let go so he could breath again. 😮
Saw him a few times after that and he was a bit more polite. Just mumbled under his breath instead of getting all grabby towards a female that was smaller than him.
I know violence isn't the answer and looking back I bet my face was a picture with the shock of his false teeth just flying towards me.
I know violence isn’t the answer and looking back I bet my face was a picture with the shock of his false teeth just flying towards me.
Don't underplay it Stu, you knocked his teeth out 🙂
I suspect it was actually a Bernese mountain dog, as I’ve seen a lady with a couple at Rivington in the past.
Dunno if they carry any liquor.
Used for pulling Cheese carts, used to have one. (a Bernese, not a cheese cart)
Used for pulling Cheese carts, used to have one. (a Bernese, not a cheese cart)
You missed a trick there then, eh?
When you've spent the majority of the last 18 months gobbing off on social media/internet, it can be a bit of surprise when you forget this and do it in person and the outcome isn't something you planned for considered.
And as others have said, that phrase is very often at most a shortcut to violence, or at least a piss poor attempt at dominating a situation.
I guess that couple of gentlemen didn't count on someone being more than happy and capable of 'doing something about it'.
There's a lesson there for sure.
chakaping
Full Member
You missed a trick there then, eh?
Sure did; I'm a Vegan, we don't have cheese.
Going to see if I can replicate the firework guy on the Gif threads setup for this evenings ride.
Dogs and dog owners love fireworks, don't they?
(I'm too small for fighting)
Used for pulling Cheese carts, used to have one. (a Bernese, not a cheese cart)
Certainly used to, but all the ones I've had tend to be effective pillows for us as we were kids...current one hasn't quite worked out how the pillow thing works as she thinks anyone on the floor is there to rub her chest and belly...so unsure where the 'training' has failed!
“What the **** are you going to do about it”
Last time I heard someone say that they got a hand around the throat, a couple of slaps and pushed into a lake. Was incredibly satisfying.
DickBarton
Full Member
Thread tangent continues, we got ours 4 months before we discovered my wife was pregnant. Big soft lump and really gentle with the little one; but liked to sit on everyones lap.
Thread tangent continues, we got ours 4 months before we discovered my wife was pregnant. Big soft lump and really gentle with the little one; but liked to sit on everyones lap.
What about the dog?
(Sorry 😉 )
A car came too close to me in Manc whilst i was walking across a road crossing so i kicked out at it. The guy pulled over, got out and pointed a gun at me. I've never done that again.
Never bite off more than you can chew etc.
That was for the sin of riding up the footpath from Wilderswood to the mast road.
The one that bends round to the right going up hill? The one that's actually a road that the postie drives his van down (or at least used to ehwn we had friends who lived there)
When you’ve spent the majority of the last 18 months gobbing off on social media/internet, it can be a bit of surprise when you forget this and do it in person and the outcome isn’t something you planned for considered.
This. I think people have got grumpier, more intolerant and less good at social interaction generally during lockdown etc.
I was in Leeds recently and left our hotel with my missus and kid - there were several guys smoking right in the doorway and I very politely said it's not a great place to smoke because people can't avoid it - got told to mind my own ****ing business. They may have been like that already of course but I was quite surprised by the level of aggression.
@blackflag I had similar on my bike, but without the gun, just a nutter who sideswiped me and then screeched to block a main road at rush hour. I escaped as he pushed me around. Went straight to the Police station and they'd had lots of reports already. Police knew him and were very keen for me to press charges which was bizarre (I refused as wasn't convinced they'd protect me from the nutter) until 5 years later I saw his photo in the news, having been shot dead in gang stuff.
I’d have stopped to say hello to the St Bernard.
Have had issues with dog owners letting their dogs wander everywhere on canal towpaths despite signs saying dogs must be on a lead. I find the best form of defence is to make a fuss of the dog and then say to it "Aren't you lovely, pity you have an idiot for a owner who can't train you properly to be the best dog you can be!" then ride off. Leaves the owner fuming but with no pre-planned retort back.
“What the **** are you going to do about it”
Last time I heard someone say that they got a hand around the throat, a couple of slaps and pushed into a lake. Was incredibly satisfying.
Saw a squaddie say similar to an elderly gentleman on the bridge in the middle of Brecon one evening after they both decided to occupy the same side of the pavement. The squaddie was a little surprised to say the least when a few seconds later he was being held by his ankles over the side of that bridge! He may have been an army boy but when you insult a slightly lubricated local nutter who also works out most days you really need to be prepared for the unexpected.
Deleted. It seems plenty of people have had some bad experiences with nutters. Just let the idiots bum into other idiots. I prefer to keep out of it these days
The one that bends round to the right going up hill? The one that’s actually a road that the postie drives his van down (or at least used to ehwn we had friends who lived there)
Not the mast road, no.
Just a wide footpath up the moor to meet the road.
I was going to edit it again as i said bum instead of bump. I think i will leave it though.
Very sad to see all the aggression on here about anything that people dont like. You have a dog......i will shout at you to keep it under control. I will mock you about your training. I will judge you. I wont be the kind, understanding and generally sound bloke/lady i am at home. No i will shout at you to get them under control. Walkers on a cycle route.......i will shout at you too. I dont care how many years you have walked here. You may be an angry man but i will show you someone angrier. I dont care if you are lost. You will listen to me vent my middle aged anger at you.
Its the same on this forum about anything and everything. Cyclists are no different to anyone else. Maybe they have a bit more of a moral high ground but in the end, we are all just getting shorter and shorter fuses. We just need to meet another person in a similar position. I am no better, i used to be able to have an argument in an empty room. The minute i realised that it just wasnt worth it.....ever i stopped even caring what these people said or did.
Sounds like the mtber had a 'falling down' day. Hope he didn't go for McDonald's breakfast afterwards at 11.02am.
I think the moral of the story is to not interact with people who are nobs 🙂
Most people don’t like a bit of gentle reminding not to be a dick.
I think you’ve got to go all cycling zen for your own safety , you just never know what level of nob your getting involved with.
I think covid has also upped the levels of nobbish to 11 as well.
you just never know what level of nob your getting involved with.
😆
Don’t see any issue with what the MTB rider did. Some people are just utter ****s and can’t be reasoned with rationally. I hope the dumb ****s learned a lesson and the big fella doesn’t feel too guilty.
That’s the problem I’ve found as I’ve got older. Developing a bit of a conscience and some empathy for arseholes. Really annoys me yet tempers my behaviour and stops me from doing something silly or that I may regret afterwards (sometimes).