Farrier in Road Rage Assault

[M_G]

My Brother is a Triathlete doing Iron man competitions and is regularly cycling 100k plus a day in his lycra suit (no different to us in boots and breeches) & he has said the most impatient drivers who try to run him off the road are the ones with please pass horses wide and slow or similar in the back window *shakes head*

I overtake cyclists in a similar way to how I would a horse, they have as much right to ride 2 abreast as we do and it only takes perhaps 60 seconds to slow down and pass properly, I think its about time we all showed a little more respect for slower road users when we are in our cars

 

[M_G]

Totally agree with this.

These lycra clad cyclists are the most arrogant of road users, they seem to have this 'I have a right to be on the road and **** everyone else' attitude. They ride virtually in the middle of the road and go too slow to follow but too fast to pass quickly and safely. I had to follow one for a mile along a country lane not long ago, he passed several passing places. Once, the the same lane, I managed to get past one when towing, only for him to pass me when I was waiting at the level crossing and I was stuck behind him again!!!! They want cars to give them plenty of room, yet when it comes to them passing cars, they will squeeze through the smallest gap. They want to be treated as and afforded the same rights as other vehicles, yet ride through red lights when it suits them and they are the only people on the road who NEVER slow down when passing me when I'm on a horse.

I have heard this said so many times about horse riders....

 

[ferrador]

until cyclists pay road tax and full insurance they should be banned from the public highway
chris

 

[M_G]

Ferrador are you stuck in the past? Road tax ceased to exist in the 1950's I think you mean vehicle excise duty & I guess from your comment you don't ride a horse or bicycle on the public highway

 

[Pachamama]

until cyclists pay road tax and full insurance they should be banned from the public highway
chris

Which is what drivers often say about horse riders.

 

[combat_claire]

I'm a "lycra clad cyclist" and a horse rider. Not all of us are arrogant tw*ts (in fact none of my cycling mates are) How many riders have I passed when driving, riding double breasted on narrow country roads, arrogant jodhpur clad tw*ts

Well said Junglefairy, as a cyclist, rider, pedestrian and motorist it is my view that those folk residing in glass houses are in no position to throw stones.

I can't count the number of times I have not been thanked by a rider that I have crawled by in my car or the times I have sat behind 2 riders having a good old gossip whilst they ride two abreast completely oblivious to traffic behind them.

It is also frightening to have someone nearly take your leg out with their car because they cannot be bothered to use mirrors or wait five seconds for a better place to pass your bike.

A bit of tolerance from all road users to other groups who have as much right to be on the tarmac as anyone else on this forum wouldn't go amiss.

 

[combat_claire]

until cyclists pay road tax and full insurance they should be banned from the public highway
chris

I pay vehicle excise duty for my car, surely since when I am riding my bike, my car is not on the road and vice versa then the VED contribution can surely cover my use of both wheeled vehicles.

 

[Miss L Toe]

I would make agressive cycling a capital offence there isnt a more unplesant and selfish group of people as some cyclists, absoulute self centerd scum and thats being generous .......

please keep away from me

 

[marmalade76]

I have heard this said so many times about horse riders....

I don't disagree with you!!

I suppose my problem is I don't see that many horses on the roads (perhaps it's because we have so many bridleways and a huge common) and the horses I do see are generally on quite country roads and lanes, whereas I see many, many cyclists and they are everywhere I go!

 

[combat_claire]

I overtake cyclists in a similar way to how I would a horse, they have as much right to ride 2 abreast as we do and it only takes perhaps 60 seconds to slow down and pass properly, I think its about time we all showed a little more respect for slower road users when we are in our cars

Totally agree with this MG.

I love taking my mountain bike out. I am fed up with other road users whose sole aim seems to be to try and flatten me. If you pull off the verge in front of me in a car without checking mirrors, the worst that happens is some scratched paintwork; try that stunt when I am on a bike and you could break my leg or kill me.

 

[marmalade76]

I have heard this said so many times about horse riders....

I've just thought of one, won't take her hand off the rein to thank drivers who do slow down, quite happy to take it off to wave them down if they don't!

 

[MerrySherryRider]

I'm a "lycra clad cyclist" and a horse rider. Not all of us are arrogant tw*ts (in fact none of my cycling mates are) How many riders have I passed when driving, riding double breasted on narrow country roads, arrogant jodhpur clad tw*ts

We have a lot of lycra cyclists in our area and they don't worry the horses really now as we're used to them speeding up behind us and whizzing by.

However, when a group of cyclists are out on the road, why don't they ever pull over or make room for motorists? So often I've been stuck behind a group for a couple of miles, driving in 2nd gear until we get to a junction. Not only that, but I have never,ever been thanked by one for being patient and keeping back.

Perhaps thats why they're seen as arrogant and a different breed from ordinary cyclists.

 

[Equibrit]

So - it's just fine and dandy to allow cyclists to hit cars they think are too close ?

 

[claireandnadia]

Whoops that it was all on camera but cyclists in my area drive me nuts, I at least once a day come across about 10 of them riding together all taking up a whole lane while they chat as they go along.

 

[Shutterbug]

The fact of the matter is that cyclists have just as much legal right to be on the roads as horse riders, cars and pedestrians do. We had a duty of care to each other to be respectful and not cause accidents by driving too close or driving too fast - its not difficult and its not rocket science. And any reasonable person would not get out of car and smack someone simply for slapping their hand on their car - regardless of the reasons for doing so

 

[Alec Swan]

Well said, Hevs. It's called a Public Highway, for a very good reason. A courteous approach to our usage, wouldn't be such a difficult thing, would it?

Alec.

 

[Oberon]

So - it's just fine and dandy to allow cyclists to hit cars they think are too close ?

Hell yea - having been hit as a child by a careless driver....I am very happy for horse riders and cyclists to slap cars.

If they can reach your car, you're too damn close!

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

Just imagine if you were one of those idiotic horse riders who thinks its acceptable to hit a car with a whip as it goes past - this could be you!

I have done this, if the car thinks its ok to take my foot out the stirrup with their wing mirror then I think its ok to rap the handle of my whip off the roof, sure as heck makes them stop and/or crap themselves.

People need to be more giving when driving riding or cycling, we are all to wrapped up in ourselves and in our own reasons for getting from A to B to bother about who else is on the roads.

He shouldnt have done what he did, it was a moment of anger and I'd LOVE to hear from someone who hasnt had that moment of rage when they have wanted to hit someone/something for what ever reason i wouldnt sack him or discriminate against him if he was good at his job and had never caused anyone any bother before this.

 

[minigal]

Good grief this post is scary!

My 60 yo Dad cycles to work and back (26 miles) 3-4 times a week. He does it to keep himself fit and alive longer and to be greener and better for the environment. They can't win can they? I sincerely hope he never meets some of you lot driving as TBH it sounds like a totally terrifying prospect! Calling them scum?? Really??! Words fail me (although I am going to carry on....)

As a driver and rider I am sure I have suffered my fair share of frustrations and anger from slower/faster/impatient/etc roadusers but somehow I manage to contain it all and show some patience and courtesy for my fellow humans. We all share this world and so it's roads/lanes etc so why is it always a battle?

Also I work on an extremely busy trauma unit and we have more than enough work to do thankyou without Road Rage giving us anymore customers.

 

[SusannaF]

Hell yea - having been hit as a child by a careless driver....I am very happy for horse riders and cyclists to slap cars.

If they can reach your car, you're too damn close!

Exactly. If another car drove so close to them that they clipped wing mirrors, they'd be complaining about "irresponsible driving".

 

[irishdraught]

Putting the assault to one side for a moment.......

It is all about consideration to other road users. No matter what you drive or ride you should offer consideration. The farrier shouldn't have driven so close and those who are slower on the road than others should not intentionally obstruct the highway, whether that be car/wagon drivers and/or cyclists and horse riders.

As a horse rider, we are vulnerable, but when we ride on the roads, we should do so in a responsible manner ie: be visible to others, not use a mobile whilst riding along and being aware of others on the roads, including those behind us. ALL road users should use this ethic.

I have come across the group of cyclists who ride so close together, you cannot get past one at a time and have to wait for a gap long enough to pass them all at once, usually after trawling after them for miles; I have also come across the horse rider who is slopping along in a world of their own and I have also encountered idiots in cars (as previously mentioned driving lethal weapons).

Each and all have their arrogant group amongst them, just don't be one yourself. If everyone showed consideration to others there would be much more tollerance of one another.

I am not offering an opinion on what the farrier did, we all have had moments when we would have liked to punch someones lights out, for whatever reason, just not all of us have followed through with it!! Hitting someones car, slapping a whip over a roof or potentially causing damage by some other means also shows a lack of restraint - we all show anger in different ways. I am not justifying anything, just offering an opinion!!!!!


Phew

 

[Cuffey]

Irish Draught
I need a LIKE button, so much sense

 

[minkymoo]

I'm not going to comment on the farrier incident as I don't really know enough about the background, but will offer 2 POV's about pro cyclists.

Whilst riding I have had the rude lot who whizz past but I often find that Horse senses them before me so I turn around and say something to them; often a good morning/afternoon/hello which gets them to say something back then Horse is less worried. I have also found some nice onces who say hello or can we pass.

It's all about tolerance, though I have to be honest, I didn't feel much for the group of 5 who didn't consider to move over as I drove past on a twisty narrow road who then all threw me an evil look as I managed to squeeze past. I don't understand why as a rider I will move over to let someone past but some cyclists feel they don't have to? Not very courteous is it?

 

[perfect11s]

I'm not going to comment on the farrier incident as I don't really know enough about the background, but will offer 2 POV's about pro cyclists.

Whilst riding I have had the rude lot who whizz past but I often find that Horse senses them before me so I turn around and say something to them; often a good morning/afternoon/hello which gets them to say something back then Horse is less worried. I have also found some nice onces who say hello or can we pass.

It's all about tolerance, though I have to be honest, I didn't feel much for the group of 5 who didn't consider to move over as I drove past on a twisty narrow road who then all threw me an evil look as I managed to squeeze past. I don't understand why as a rider I will move over to let someone past but some cyclists feel they don't have to? Not very courteous is it?

I think wheras us riders are taught and tend to be humble and polite to other road users , cyclists tend to adopt a pack mentality and feel safe in a group
maybe its testosrone or pure arogance, but seldom does an encounter with them leave you with a warm feeling towards them..... like the op always best to be considerate hard some times but best in the long run..... I aways have a chuckle to myself they do look daft, skin tight lycra and when they are hunched over look just like oven ready chickens to me

 

[minkymoo]

I'd rather eat a chicken than a cyclist, all chewy and sinewey! Urgh!

There are a few nice ones though! I met a few today on my hack after I had a ruck with a rude BMW driver. They laughed and said they'd never heard such blue language sound so posh!! :O