Cycling in Sydney Australia
Almost instant karma.......
This morning I was riding a nice flat loop from Blacktown along Richmond rd, turn towards Windsor, stop at the bakery for coffee & pastry then return to Blacktown via Windsor rd.
Apart from the delicious pastry it was an uneventful ride. Perfect. Then as I approach the intersection of Windsor & Sunnyholt rd two tradies (big Leb looking blokes) thought it would be fun to scare a random cyclist.
So I'm cycling along in the bike lane minding my own business when the passenger of a tray top ute yells out something very loudly as they pass me very closely at high speed.
Yes, I'm startled but it's not the first time I've been heckled. Also with much glee, I realise I will be passing them - stuck in traffic in about 800 metres. So I ride on.
I take a quick sip from my 3/4 empty bidon. That won't be much use. I replace it in the cage & draw my 100% FULL bidon from the seat tube cage. I'm closing in.
Biding my time, I pull open the bidon valve. As I approach I can see the ute window is still wound down.
Timed to perfection I burst a nice steady stream of water in through the window into the lap of my assailant!
Of course the only thing funnier than scaring a cyclist is humiliating a tradie! Well maybe not in their view. They then proceeded to drive in the cycle lane to chase me. Their mission was short lived as I moved across into the right turn lane through the stopped vehicles.
Now they were stuck over to the left turning lane. The passenger wanted get out & come over. I think the sheer number of potential witnesses stalled him. The driver called out to invite me over. I smiled & declined (never try to fight in road cleats). Eventually my right lane got the green light & off I went. But not before hearing a glass bottle smash nearby.
Risky I know. But some satisfaction in not just copping abuse from cowards.
UPDATE! (17-Feb-12)
I rode the same stretch of road this morning with absolutely no incidents or harassment.
Any suggestion that the locals have been stirred into a violent, cyclist hating frenzy is purely in your imagination.
Carry on riding. Nothing to see here!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Si on -
But, but. but, but...
<spotty-80s-teenage-guitar-kid>
JEFF HEALEY!!!
And if you don't like it you clearly hate blind dead guitarists so are going to hell! :)
</spotty-80s-teenage-guitar-kid>
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Permalink Reply by Richard (Poncho) on -
UPDATE! (17-Feb-12)
I rode the same stretch of road this morning with absolutely no incidents or harassment.
Any suggestion that the locals have been stirred into a violent, cyclist hating frenzy is purely in your imagination.
Carry on riding. Nothing to see here!
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Permalink Reply by Richard (Poncho) on
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If I could still stand I'd be giving this guy more than a squirt of water!
What would you do?
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Permalink Reply by PeterT on -
Clearly the driver was trying to kill the person who riding.
17 months (parole?) for GBH is cheap. Wonder what would have happen if there was no video evidence or witnesses.
One of the comments led to this article.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-01-05/murder-charge-over-cyclist-hi...
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Permalink Reply by Si on
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That's a slightly different case. The "cyclist"* and the perp knew, and apparently disliked, each other.
*He built and rode his own mopeds and was riding one at the time. Not really bicycles, ergo not really a cyclist.
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Permalink Reply by PeterT on
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Different, but the same.
Person in control of deadly weapon uses it on a vulnerable victim.
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Permalink Reply by Martin Geliot on -
Wait until he is "released on licence"
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Permalink Reply by KimR on -
Was riding north on Kent St cycleway about 1pm on Tuesday when I saw a van plus trailer parked in the middle of the bike lane near Erskine St. As I wondered if I should say anything to the driver, I was pleased to see 2 police officers there, one wriitng out a ticket. These guys were trying to unload some motor bikes off the trailer, bad timing for them I guess!
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Permalink Reply by robflyte on -
What I find a little strange here is that some dislike the retaliation that went on here with a little water but we also want drivers to be held responsible for their actions and be fined.
If using a car horn for reasons other than indicating danger is illegal then why should we out up with people scaring you with yells out of a car window.
People do things like this because they can get away with it, the next cyclist they harass should step it up a notch. Choose a camera and legal action or something better than water, your choice.
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Permalink Reply by Richard (Poncho) on
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!Like!
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Permalink Reply by Richard (Poncho) on
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My new Sydney Commuter bike.
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