What is wrong with people? I'm getting too old for this stuff.
04-22-14, 06:31 AM
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What is wrong with people? I'm getting too old for this stuff.
Yesterday afternoon I was riding along the Schuylkill River Trail. I wanted to check out the section just newly paved. For the second time in 3 or 4 years – yes, a similar thing happened before, I just don’t remember the specific date – I came upon a man being physically abusive to a woman. I didn't see what triggered the situation. But, what I saw was this six foot tall, 25 – 35 year old man repeatedly shoving a much smaller woman while screaming at her.
I stopped, and I intervened saying, “Hey, back off. There’s no need to be physical here.” He turned and said, “Just ride away mister.” My response was that I wasn’t going anywhere until he stopped assaulting the woman. At that point he rushed me. Long story short, I’m fine – the woman is fine, and the assailant has a dislocated shoulder and is likely to be arrested for assault.
I don’t for the life of me understand that kind of behavior. Apparently, he was in a rage with woman because she veered to avoid hitting a squirrel. He was attempting to fly by her on his time trial bike while on a training ride. He didn’t crash; he just had to veer to avoid hitting her. She says he never gave any warning that he was there and trying to pass.
There are some really good people on this planet, but as a species we’ve some way to go.
I stopped, and I intervened saying, “Hey, back off. There’s no need to be physical here.” He turned and said, “Just ride away mister.” My response was that I wasn’t going anywhere until he stopped assaulting the woman. At that point he rushed me. Long story short, I’m fine – the woman is fine, and the assailant has a dislocated shoulder and is likely to be arrested for assault.
I don’t for the life of me understand that kind of behavior. Apparently, he was in a rage with woman because she veered to avoid hitting a squirrel. He was attempting to fly by her on his time trial bike while on a training ride. He didn’t crash; he just had to veer to avoid hitting her. She says he never gave any warning that he was there and trying to pass.
There are some really good people on this planet, but as a species we’ve some way to go.
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Favorite rides in the stable: Indy Fab CJ Ti - Colnago MXL - S-Works Roubaix - Habanero Team Issue - Jamis Eclipse carbon/831
Last edited by NOS88; 04-22-14 at 06:59 AM. Reason: accuracy
04-22-14, 06:46 AM
#2
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A lot of people are really wound up too tightly for their own good. Seems like some of the 'go faster' riders are the worst, and I have seen this kind of behavior as well, but not lately. I have not walked up on someone pushing a woman around in a long while, but my reactions would have been the same as yours. You did the right thing, getting involved and keeping the woman from being injured because of some 'jackwagon'. Bravo!
Tractor Tom in Okeechobee, FL
Tractor Tom in Okeechobee, FL
04-22-14, 06:57 AM
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Good move.
I hope he doesnt breed.
I hope he doesnt breed.
04-22-14, 07:07 AM
#4
aka Phil Jungels
I hope you BOTH sign complaints, so he has to deal with two counts!
Even worse --- in court he would have to undergo the embarrassment of being beaten by an old man!!!!! LOL
Congrats for doing the right thing.
Even worse --- in court he would have to undergo the embarrassment of being beaten by an old man!!!!! LOL
Congrats for doing the right thing.
04-22-14, 07:16 AM
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Well done.
04-22-14, 07:24 AM
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Glad you were prepared and able to deal with the situation. I just don't get what would cause someone to do that. Ugh.
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04-22-14, 07:24 AM
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You did the right thing NOS88. Fortunately, the woman is not related to, or a "friend" of, the assailant. Otherwise, things could have turned out much differently for you (i.e. you could be accused of starting the incident, have charges pressed against you, etc, etc).
Btw, it seems that this guy is the semi-rare type of bicyclist who narrowly and/or without warning speeds past pedestrians, and other trail users. Fortunately, I see less of this nonsense these days then I did back in the '90s.
Btw, it seems that this guy is the semi-rare type of bicyclist who narrowly and/or without warning speeds past pedestrians, and other trail users. Fortunately, I see less of this nonsense these days then I did back in the '90s.
04-22-14, 07:37 AM
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Good job!!!
Now im going to catch hell here, but he was one of the typical hell bent for speed roadie types that thot his grand ride was upset and his whole day was ruined for the .007865 seconds that he has to swerve. But then he had time to stop and abuse the woman. I too do not understand people like this. Im very glad he got his ass handed to him!!!!!
Now im going to catch hell here, but he was one of the typical hell bent for speed roadie types that thot his grand ride was upset and his whole day was ruined for the .007865 seconds that he has to swerve. But then he had time to stop and abuse the woman. I too do not understand people like this. Im very glad he got his ass handed to him!!!!!
04-22-14, 07:41 AM
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So you got medievel on his ass?
04-22-14, 07:44 AM
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Good job NOS88! You absolutely did the right thing and good on you for having the courage and insight to do it. And true, thankfully those mindless "go-fast" types are the exception in the world of cycling with the abusive types even less prevalent.
Rick / OCRR
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04-22-14, 07:59 AM
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Intervening is NOT always a good idea. My son has tried to break up fights twice where both parties turned on him and beat him up pretty bad. The second time he regained consciousness in the street where they had apparently shoved him into oncoming traffic. The driver that struck him stopped to help him.
My advice (to him) is NEVER try to break up a fight between two people you don't know. They probably already know each other, are enraged, and might welcome a common enemy.
My advice (to him) is NEVER try to break up a fight between two people you don't know. They probably already know each other, are enraged, and might welcome a common enemy.
04-22-14, 08:02 AM
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Yesterday afternoon I was riding along the Schuylkill River Trail. I wanted to check out the section just newly paved. For the second time in 3 or 4 years – yes, a similar thing happened before, I just don’t remember the specific date – I came upon a man being physically abusive to a woman. I didn't see what triggered the situation. But, what I saw was this six foot tall, 25 – 35 year old man repeatedly shoving a much smaller woman while screaming at her.
I stopped, and I intervened saying, “Hey, back off. There’s no need to be physical here.” He turned and said, “Just ride away mister.” My response was that I wasn’t going anywhere until he stopped assaulting the woman. At that point he rushed me. Long story short, I’m fine – the woman is fine, and the assailant has a dislocated shoulder and is likely to be arrested for assault.
I don’t for the life of me understand that kind of behavior. Apparently, he was in a rage with woman because she veered to avoid hitting a squirrel. He was attempting to fly by her on his time trial bike while on a training ride. He didn’t crash; he just had to veer to avoid hitting her. She says he never gave any warning that he was there and trying to pass.
There are some really good people on this planet, but as a species we’ve some way to go.
I stopped, and I intervened saying, “Hey, back off. There’s no need to be physical here.” He turned and said, “Just ride away mister.” My response was that I wasn’t going anywhere until he stopped assaulting the woman. At that point he rushed me. Long story short, I’m fine – the woman is fine, and the assailant has a dislocated shoulder and is likely to be arrested for assault.
I don’t for the life of me understand that kind of behavior. Apparently, he was in a rage with woman because she veered to avoid hitting a squirrel. He was attempting to fly by her on his time trial bike while on a training ride. He didn’t crash; he just had to veer to avoid hitting her. She says he never gave any warning that he was there and trying to pass.
There are some really good people on this planet, but as a species we’ve some way to go.
Good on you man.
04-22-14, 08:13 AM
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Pics (or video) or it never happened...
But seriously, good on you for intervening on the woman's behalf. She could have been anyone's daughter, sister, mother or wife.
Good job!
But seriously, good on you for intervening on the woman's behalf. She could have been anyone's daughter, sister, mother or wife.
Good job!
04-22-14, 08:28 AM
#16
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It took a lot of guts. It might have turned out badly. You did good.
I am a rodie. I like to go fast. If I want to go fast and win (I haven't yet), I take it to the track or a closed course for an organized event. If I want to go fast an train on public roads and trails, I work the occasional recreational rider into it, and slow appropriately.
I like Strava, but anyone who thinks it's important to get KOM's there is crazy. DigitalEPO.com
I am a rodie. I like to go fast. If I want to go fast and win (I haven't yet), I take it to the track or a closed course for an organized event. If I want to go fast an train on public roads and trails, I work the occasional recreational rider into it, and slow appropriately.
I like Strava, but anyone who thinks it's important to get KOM's there is crazy. DigitalEPO.com
04-22-14, 08:31 AM
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Good on you. I hate bullies.
File that complaint. The guy obviously has anger management or drug issues that need to be addressed, and my guess is that he's not going to do that on his own volition.
I know it's dangerous to stop and risk involvement greater than you expected, but I couldn't live with myself if I just rode by and did nothing. If that meant getting my ass kicked, well ... so be it.
I think I need some martial arts training.
File that complaint. The guy obviously has anger management or drug issues that need to be addressed, and my guess is that he's not going to do that on his own volition.
I know it's dangerous to stop and risk involvement greater than you expected, but I couldn't live with myself if I just rode by and did nothing. If that meant getting my ass kicked, well ... so be it.
I think I need some martial arts training.
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04-22-14, 08:35 AM
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Good job!!!
Now im going to catch hell here, but he was one of the typical hell bent for speed roadie types that thot his grand ride was upset and his whole day was ruined for the .007865 seconds that he has to swerve. But then he had time to stop and abuse the woman. I too do not understand people like this. Im very glad he got his ass handed to him!!!!!
Now im going to catch hell here, but he was one of the typical hell bent for speed roadie types that thot his grand ride was upset and his whole day was ruined for the .007865 seconds that he has to swerve. But then he had time to stop and abuse the woman. I too do not understand people like this. Im very glad he got his ass handed to him!!!!!
04-22-14, 09:01 AM
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A lot of riders think they are training for the grand tour/ classic . I really don't understand this kind of mentality .
04-22-14, 09:04 AM
#21
Banned
Weather is better now, so people take their domestic disputes outside, after arguing inside all winter..
Oh wait was this both strangers, ? just meeting then .. ugh, Testosterone overloaded humans !
Hormones .. Mine is in remission , by now..
Oh wait was this both strangers, ? just meeting then .. ugh, Testosterone overloaded humans !
Hormones .. Mine is in remission , by now..
Last edited by fietsbob; 04-22-14 at 09:10 AM.
04-22-14, 09:28 AM
#22
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Great resolution to the issue. Unfortunately, if it were me, I would probably end up being the one with the injuries, but I hope that I would have had the presence of mind to tell the lady to ride away and call for help as I prepared to take my beating...
Up here a little further north, it is amazing how grateful pedestrians and others are that I announce my presence with a ding on the bell, or vocally... apparently my actions are rare. People should not use a multi-purpose path for training, but I think there is a subset of earth dwellers that think with their testosterone more than their brain, as in the episode from the OP.
It does bother me a bit that on MapMyRide there is a "Sprint" that someone has laid out in the middle of a MUP that I ride quite a bit, and it is heavily used by pedestrians and slower cyclists. I don't worry about getting points, but it is likely that someone out there does.
Up here a little further north, it is amazing how grateful pedestrians and others are that I announce my presence with a ding on the bell, or vocally... apparently my actions are rare. People should not use a multi-purpose path for training, but I think there is a subset of earth dwellers that think with their testosterone more than their brain, as in the episode from the OP.
It does bother me a bit that on MapMyRide there is a "Sprint" that someone has laid out in the middle of a MUP that I ride quite a bit, and it is heavily used by pedestrians and slower cyclists. I don't worry about getting points, but it is likely that someone out there does.
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- Ralph Waldo Emerson
04-22-14, 11:27 AM
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Hats off to you sir! 
04-22-14, 11:27 AM
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Intervening is NOT always a good idea. My son has tried to break up fights twice where both parties turned on him and beat him up pretty bad. The second time he regained consciousness in the street where they had apparently shoved him into oncoming traffic. The driver that struck him stopped to help him.
My advice (to him) is NEVER try to break up a fight between two people you don't know. They probably already know each other, are enraged, and might welcome a common enemy.
My advice (to him) is NEVER try to break up a fight between two people you don't know. They probably already know each other, are enraged, and might welcome a common enemy.
