You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
I'm blushing whilst writing this, but here goes - a few weeks ago, I was riding along the canal bank, about twenty miles into an all day run, when I had to stop for a group of blokes setting up their fishing gear for a match. After having to do this about four or five times, it was starting to wear a bit thin. Anyhow, the next group I got to were young lads (probably about 15 -16). I braked, and shouted excuse me, one of them started moving his gear out of the way, but the rest ignored me. I set off again, but didnt notice, due to the low sun directly in my eyes, that one of them had left a carbon fibre rod across the path. I know it was carbon because of the noise it made as it went under my front wheel! I began apologising / remonstrating with them (an odd mix, I know), but then thought '**** em' and rode off with the jolly taunts of 'w***er' ringing in my ears. Still feeling uncomfortable about this, and was wondering what anybody else would have done under the circumstances.
You should have offered to pay for what you broke?
Part of me says you should have paid for his pole (now thats something I never thought I'd say) but part of me suggests that he should keep his pole under control and not obstruct pathways etc and that if he's going to do so he accepts there's risks involved.
IT could just as easily have been a fibreglass one BTW, not that that helps.
I decided to do just that, but they'd gone by the time I got back.
What exactly do they use those poles for, and why do they get so uppity when they lay them across the pathway as a tripping/ride-overing hazard anyway?
Because theyre fish bothering ba****ds, thats why! (actually just taking the p**s, I used to go fishing myself when I was a young 'un)
If it had been the other way round, and you were in some sort of competition, at a place freely available to you, but because you were a bit slow for someone else who you needed to share space with, they picked up your expensive mountainbike and tossed it in the river, would you praise them for their public spiritedness?
It's a crowded place we all have the right to enjoy, sometimes its best to keep calm. Couldn't you have just varied your route?
Pay up! 🙂
But also giving them a bollocking for leaving it there - something like that I think.
If you really want to make amends find the name of the local fishing club and contact them explainign that you want to pay for a new rod and do they know who the kid was that had his one broken?
danger of that is that it is a £2500 one, not some £50 cheapie...
In future - if you see people setting up for a fishing match then take a different route?
I actually did stay calm - I rode over his rod (ooer missus) accidentally, its the fact that I rode away that makes me feel like a t**t.
Some of those poles they use can cost thousands, might have been a cheap whip or a landing net pole.
Bet the next cyclist they came across got a catapult load of maggots 😉
If i was a young lad, who'd probably saved up to get that rod, I'd be gutted, knowing that it might take me a few years to save up for a new one.
However, you're in barnsley. So he's probably already nicked his replacement.
Ouch.
ouch my mate does pole fishing and just had two of his poles pinched from his van over 5grand to replace the two ;-(
Psychology student in acting a w@nker shocker.
I think it is very decent of you to feel bad about it rather than getting ratty with fisherfolk, but I'm not sure there's much you can reliably do about compensating the correct person for what (if anything) you broke.
Used to ride out a lot along the Lee in North London, and it was pretty hopeless when there was fishing on. Just got quite used to walking a lot of sections. 🙂
What i can never grasp is why those huge 15ft poles are used to catch something the size of a fish finger?
Why spend all that time and money to prove you are only slightly smarter than a fish?
Having said that, you did break someones kit so you really should make an offer to pay up.
Contact them (via the angling club) and offer to go halves?
I've always wanted to do that - if you went fast enough you could get half a dozen 🙂 Crunchtastic!
[edit] but of course I never would!
It was a rod, not a pole - think I would feel even worse if it had been, as theyre even more bloody expensive. I suppose I'm just trying to justify myself here, but I did ask them to shift their gear, and they did ignore me, and it was accidental, and oh b***ocks to it, I still feel like sh*t. I'll probably follow wwaswas' sugestion and contact the local fishing club. Then again maybe not, I'll still have my guilt to keep me warm - can you tell I'm a (lapsed) Catholic?
"Psychology student in acting a w@nker shocker."
Qualified actually bling. Welcome back, tossbag.
Mitch next time I'm in my car and you're on the road riding your bike I'll beep to let you know you should move, if you dont you'll be under my wheels 😈
A play, set in Barnsley:
Tiny Barnsley Tim: Daddy, today I am going to take the nice fishing rod down to the canal with my friends. Hopefully we can catch a few fish, and maybe I'll even win a prize, and oh daddy, you'll be so proud of me, for we'll have fresh fish for tea and maybe something to celebrate?
Tiny Barnsley Tim's Dad: Why yes my son. Ever since your mother died when trying to rescue the kids from the orphanage fire, we've had things pretty tough. I know you understand I'm trying to do my best, but the TB I picked up from working in the mines means we have to eat food that can be delivered through the letter box. But hey, you go out and get some fresh air. I know it'll be the first time you've been out in months, what with all the time you spend caring for your sick grandfather. And maybe you'll win a cash prize, and we can treat ourselves to some potatoes to turn into chips and we can eat them with the nice fresh fish you catch. Good luck, son. And hey, remember to look after that rod - it was given to me in grateful recognition for my services to the community. Ah those were the days, when I could still get about.... [tears well up in his eyes].
Tiny Barnsley Tim: OK dad, so long as you're sure grandfather will be ok just for a few hours. I'll be especially careful, and I'll bring along Andrew and Julian too. They're awfully sensible, and between the three of us surely no harm can come to that fantastic rod we'll never be able to afford to replace?
[Next scene: Barnsley canal. The chums have baited their lines, they've spotted a big fish, surely this will be their day, Tiny Barnsley Tim's family are going to eat like kings!]
Tiny Barnsley Tim: Hey, Julian! Andrew! Look over there - if I can just lure that big trout I think I'll win the competition?
Julian: How super for you Tiny Barnsley Tim, you're father will be so proud. But oh look, there's a man on a mountain bike coming our way, pretty jolly fast too. It looks a lovely bike, I bet he really enjoys getting out in the countryside with his friends, rather like us three do?
Andrew: Why certainly - it's a beaut for sure.
Barnsleymitch rides over Tiny Barnsley Tim's rod.
The end.....
i see where your coming from, its a bit sh!t, them cluttering up the path that it there for everybodies use, and i would probably grumble on the way past.
and it was was an accident.
and if they cant be bothered to move thier crap out the way when someone wants to pass, then they havent much right to complain i dont think.
i was erring towards offering to compensate the poor we tyke, but having re read it, stuff the scrote.
be prepared to be pushed in the river on your commute home one day.....
I would try to find him and pay up - after all the poor lad had no opportunity to move it and you were clearly annoyed at the time and had run out of patience. They had every right to be there, although I agree they shouldn't have blocked the path, it would have taken no time for you to wait for it to be moved had you seen it. You were using a multi-use path and should have ridden with respect for all the other users.
I once snapped a very expensive (for me at the time) rod when it was taped to my top tube on the way to the river and it somehow got caught in my spokes. 🙁
I notice how the psycology student didn't ride over any of the adults rods....but waited until he reached the kiddy section.
What a LOSER.
love the play snowslave.
i think it totally depends on whether they were "nice scrotes"
or 'orrid scrotes for which you would drop a gear as a habit while passing, incase you felt the need to scarper as they happy slapped you, or grabbed at you ipod.
They had every right to be there
and moreover, unless you have a permit your not supposed to be riding there 🙂
I really can't believe you did that. You'd obviously worked out there was a match on, and yet you carried on riding? Personally, noting that, I'd have got off the towpath ASAP because you're never going to enjoy the ride
Imagine you'd been doing an XC race and someone came the other way on a motorcrosser, and ran over your bike. Same thing.
I'm glad you feel guilty, because you are.
snowslave - choked me up.
blingbling - it's a shame that we'll probably never meet. You appear to hold me responsible for 'getting labrat banned' - I dont know if he actually did get banned, but stop for a minute and ask yourself what was so offensive about both his and your posts. Feel any different? Let it go, FFS.
No way should you pay for it.
You should sue them for everything they've got as it's quite likely that you will drop dead fairly soon as the slivers of carbon make their way towards your heart.
Fishermen are murderers. I'm off to phone the Mail and start a campaign to ban this scum.
blingbling - it's a shame that we'll probably never meet.
Why's that fella? 😈
BlingBling is labrat, and I claim my £5. And then walk away from this thread as BlingBling is making it a dull personal fight. 😆
BlingBling is labrat
P*** off! 😉
While that play's good an' all - a kid called Julian in Barnsley would be in the canal, rather than fishing by it.
😀
danger of that is that it is a £2500 one, not some £50 cheapie...
2500 quid? You could buy a car for that!
sobriety - MemberContact them (via the angling club) and offer to go halves?
Thats what I thought. Like on the road- its shared responsibility. He was setting up- its not a race track, he also has every right to be there as you do. If someone drove over your bike- you'd expect money back.
Did you have a permit for cycling on the canal bank?
http://www.waterscape.com/things-to-do/cycling/permit
Before cycling on some towpaths owned by British Waterways, you will usually need to obtain a free cycle permit. .....The Waterways Code aims to protect your own and other people's safety, to safeguard the environment, and to avoid disturbing the enjoyment of other users of the waterway and towpath. [b]There is no public right of way for cyclists on canal towpaths[/b], and British Waterways reserves the right to withdraw permission from users who disregard the rules.
While that play's good an' all - a kid called Julian in Barnsley would be in the canal, rather than fishing by it.
Which reminds me of a story someone told me when I worked in Liverpool. The bloke was about 10, walking through a park, and comes across a pond with a load of kids stood in the middle, still clothed but crying. He walks over to see what's happening, a big teenager jumps out from some bushes and says "get in the pond or I'll ****t you".
His name was Neil.
It's part of the trans pennine trail, dont actually need a permit. I've contacted the fishing club concerned, still waiting for someone to get back to me.
If it had been a hoodie on a bmx who ran over your rod I imagine your rant would have had a lot more capital letters and swear words.
Which idiot said confession was good for the soul? I feel worse now than when I first posted! At least it's pushed me in the right direction, and I feel like I'm at least trying to make amends.
Now you're ****ed - kid will be claiming its a 2 grand rod but he's binned it and now you've offered you've admitted guilt and under some sort of obligation to pay £1000 of it lol.
Jesus wept, it's like the Spanish Inquisition on here!
it's like the Spanish Inquisition on here!
it's the comfy chair next you heretic!
So long as youre not playing Torquemada Simon.
Unless you are Polish, why would anyone fish in a canal anyway? What a useless waste of time- sat waiting for something to bite then throw it back. Madness.
LOVED the Torquemada stories. He was my fave character
[img] 
[/img]
whereas riding round in a big loop in the pissing rain is perfectly reasonable adult behaviour?
Didnt mean that one hora...
whereas riding round in a big loop in the pissing rain is perfectly reasonable adult behaviour?
Yes because you get to say 'stoked' and 'core' whilst looking forward to your girlfriends appalled look when you comeback dirty.
Didnt mean that one hora...
I know, but he is far far cooler to imagine..
"looking forward to your girlfriends appalled look"
I look forward to having to get undressed in the porch because "You're not coming in the house looking like that".
It was an accident.
Do have any 3rd party insurance? even contents cover may cover public liability outside the home.
Call your insurance up to see and if so find the kid.
Job done.
If not, then hope it's a cheap pole.
Or just learn and never do it again!
You made a mistake - it happens now sort it out and don't admit all liability either.
Cheer up and stop feeling crap. And if you don't get a call from the angling club then don't ride there again for a while!
Ride with some patience and respect to others too.
haha. come winter my kit has to live on the car and be resused countless times as she wont let it near the washing machine caked with mud. Then theres the mop chasing me across the kitchen floor feverishly along with the 'Ive spent ages cleaning and then you come in!' ...err yeah honey, hi to you too'!
buy dirtworkers
Just noticed the tags at the top of this thread - how very dare you!
Aye but Im not paying 70quid for a plastic bottle, a piece of hose and a ickle motor 😉
+
[img] 
[/img]
Hosepipe, bucket of hot water and a brush for the bike.
Stripping naked (thank god for high fences) and the hosepipe for the riding kit - followed by a quick dash to the washing machine then the bath!
why do fishermen have along pole to fish n theother side cant they just go and stand on that side instead?
I had this on my boat where he did not move his rod ..I know a 50 ft 20 ton boat in the water comming t owards you at 3 mph an deasy mistake. Why he did not yield to the behmnouth crawling towards him was beyond me.
I hit it, it broke we exchanged details (and insults). He tried to sue. However , surprisingly, I had right of way as he could move out easier than me and had more than enough time to do so. They cant fish within a certain distance of locks, moored boats or bridges (50 metres iirc).
If I ever got into fishing I'd need to take a few jazz mags, you know. To kill the time. 🙄
All this talk of suing and liability has made me realise that I made the whole thing up! I dont even own a mountain bike, and you cant prove I was there. You'll never take me alive you dirty coppers!
if you 'asked them to shift their gear and they ignored you', you must have known the gear was still there? or am I missing something? did they do a stealth un-shift of gear, which passed you by?
my kids fish, if you broke their stuff and rode off I'd say you were a total phucktard
I dont even own a mountain bike, and you cant prove I was there.
but there's been a play written about the incident! Would you even deny the characters' lives ?
Thank you Simon, I'll gladly share royalties from the opening night with you for this support.
idave - I never saw the rod until I went over it, so no, I didnt know the gear was still there. I'm in the middle of trying to sort this out with the fishing club. As I believe I mentioned in my original post, I went back to try and sort this out shortly after it happened. To be frank, it's the riding off bit that made me feel guilty, not damaging the rod - If the lads chose to ignore me when I (politely) asked them to move their gear, then that's their responsibility.
If the lads chose to ignore me when I (politely) asked them to move their gear, then that's their responsibility.
What? Ask them to move their stuff and they ignored you? Or did you ask them to move stuff that you didn't actually see in the first place.
You are not painting a very rosy picture of yourself here.
Look at this another way, you and your mates leave your £ 3k carbon hardtails in the middle of a busy carpark. Someone wants to leave and politely asks you move your bikes. Some of you do, some of you don't. The driver sees the bikes have been moved and reverses over your bike. If you're not bright enough to look after such an expensive piece of equipment then expect to lose it / get it busted.
If you ridden through without warning knowing the rods were there, different story. The fact it's part of the trans pennine trail also suggest to me the anglers should have been more accomodating to other trail users. I wouldn't lose too much sleep over it, from what you have said you didn't intend to do it so it was a genuine accident and the lad with rod hadn't taken any action when warned you were coming. I can't think of any other user group we'd be as happy with if they'd blocked the trail.
he's contacted the club, which seems the fair thing to do at this point in time?
Perhaps some hail marys could be sent via tinternet too?
I've been along our canal when the fishing matches are on (seems like they do several weekends). They all just stick their rods over the cycle path / towpath and leave em there. Dinging a bell seems to sort it out usually, but like you say, it doesn't half slow you down. You get the odd one who is arsey too and doesn't want to move their gear. Riding up as if you are going to do a trials style hop over their expensive rod makes em move it in the end though. It is a pain even if you're just going for a walk.
Personally, if it was an honest mistake, he left his rod there when the rest of them had moved them out of the way, you completely didn't see it, I'd have said oops, that was a bugger, and ridden off, same as you did. Obviously if you hammered through there shouting out of my way it'd be different, but otherwise, it isn't really your fault if he leaves a rod on the cycle path.
Joe
Sounds like you're doing the right thing now.
How about next time a 15mile ride and and hour practicing this?...
[url=
to bunnyhop[/url]
😆
Just incase.
I think you should go back with a set of bombers and finish off the job.
"What? Ask them to move their stuff and they ignored you? Or did you ask them to move stuff that you didn't actually see in the first place.
You are not painting a very rosy picture of yourself here."
Just remind me, at which stage did I say that I rode over the rod on purpose?
Just remind me, at which stage did I say that I rode over the rod on purpose?
Quite possibly you didn't ride over on it on purpose but you knew they were there [i][b]'but I did ask them to shift their gear, and they did ignore me'[/b][/i] yet without bothering to check, you carried on.
May I put it to you that you just thought 'ohh **** it, they won't move it, I am just gonna ride over it, that'll learn 'em' but subsequently guilt has caught up with you....
Jesus wept, it's like the Spanish Inquisition on here!
I bet you weren't expecting that.
mastiles: No, actually, I asked, then stopped. The guy in front of me moved his gear, and I (wrongly) assumed his mates had shifted theirs as well, and set off again. You may put what you want to me, (have I landed up in court again?), but you dont know me from Adam, and therefore are in no position to judge my character.
Did someone mention 'rod'? Surely the Stephen Gately thread has now found a new home? 8)
Cheeky bad boy!
Jesus wept, it's like the Spanish Inquisition on here!I bet you weren't expecting that.
NOBODY EXPECTS THE SPANISH INQUISITION!!
(sorry but someone had to!)
Spare the rod spoil the child