Cycling in Sydney Australia
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!
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Permalink Reply by PeterT on February 20, 2012 at 4:47pm you missed out putting the scythe in your axles.
and the caltrop dispensing unit on the bike rack.
Permalink Reply by Carlos Kramer on February 20, 2012 at 5:08pm WTF is that? Is it street legal? Front wheel drive with death attachment. So when you do an endo you get cleft in two. Is it a fixie or does it have a coaster brake? Or no brakes? Once again. WTF?
Permalink Reply by baa baa on February 20, 2012 at 6:12pm .....and he slices thru the traffic...
(at least it has a vast tool kit to repair any possible damage and a rack to cart away the unrepairable)
Permalink Reply by Martin Geliot on February 20, 2012 at 6:26pm You think I have more than 200W officer? take this!
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