DH beaten up today...

[Jorvik1978]

... For being a cyclist.

A fairly common story. Van driver was annoyed at being held up, so passed at speed and very close (we're talking centimetres...), leaning on the horn. DH's bike hit a pothole (couldn't avoid it due to said van), swerved and clipped the van. The driver took offence at this (despite causing it....), jumped out of the van and started laying into my husband. His passenger then jumped out and joined in. Both vehicles are undamaged but my poor DH is sporting two black eyes and cuts on his cheekbones from him glasses.

And before anyone starts, yes he was on his bike, yes he had every right to be there, no wasn't riding like an arse, and even if he had been, that never justified violence.

DH is shaken up but OK. I am incandescent with rage ...

Were they arrested?

That is just so awful, did anybody stop to help him? Your poor DH there are some nasty bastards around, I hope he is ok.

Hope he calked the police?

Unfortunately not yet. This was on a quiet country lane so no witnesses. They drove away and whilst the police are involved, either they have a false plate or DH didn't get the registration right (which is probably more likely given the circumstances).

No wonder he's shaken up being attacked ain't no joke.
Luckily it's cuts and bruises and not anything worse.
Understand your anger.

He was with a group so had support but unfortunately on a quiet country lane so no other witnesses.

Oh no so sorry that sounds horrendous. Hope they got the registration number.

Oh your poor DH. How hateful. Perhaps CCTV further down the road in either direction? Take care of yourselves and hopefully he might get some justice.

Your poor DH. Glad it wasn’t any worse.

They would still be witnesses so should be interviewed I would think? Your poor dh. Some people are extremely impatient and scarily aggressive. I hope he's ok.

Horrendous. As a keen cyclist I’ve lost track of the amount of abuse idiot drivers have hurled at me. Even when not “held up” by me ie cars on the main road when I’m waiting at a junction see fit to scream “fat cunt” or similar. Twice people have stopped their car and got physical.

One friend of mine a 4x4 did a u turn , came back and purposefully drove into her - they were prosecuted for that. Another friend was killed by an inpatient driver.

hope he’s ok

Did none of them have a head band camera which would have captured it? Hope your DH recovers quickly.

I stopped cycling a few years ago because of aggressive drivers.
I am so sorry your husband has had such a horrible experience, and I can well understand your anger.
Wishing him a speedy recovery, and I hope he isn't too shaken up by what must have been a terrifying thing to go through.

Your poor poor DH OP, what a total nightmare.

I would be tempted to see up and down the road if you can find any houses or places with CCTV, and also I would try shoving some variations of the numberplate into the .gov.uk checker:

https://www.gov.uk/get-vehicle-information-from-dvla

And see if something turns up something the right make and model.

What a total nightmare.

I'm so sorry, there is just so much aggression on the roads and in society in general tbh, it's abhorrent. I hope they catch the pair of thugs.

You've not seen the anti-cyclist posts on here then? Unfortunately MN can be very anti-cyclist. Not trying to be antagonistic, though yes perhaps over-defensive.

Unfortunately whilst he was with a group, he had gone on ahead up a hill and it was all over by the time they caught up, and I don't think anyone was wearing a Go-pro or similar. And no houses on that particular stretch as it's very isolated.

Aggressive drivers, who really seem to me to be on the increase, are frightening enough when you’re in a car, but cyclists must be terrified of these thugs.
Your poor husband.

Have you not been on MN long? 😀. I don’t think she’s being antagonistic, defensive maybe. There are quite frequently some very anti cyclist posts on here where people pile on and moan about being stuck behind cyclists, how they deserve everything they get, poor drivers sent be blamed if they crash into them, they should be banned from the roads, etc.

This is horrible.

The quickness of some people opting to use violence is worrying.

Even if a mistake is made... it's a mistake and doesn't deserve a physical attack. (Not saying your DH made any errors).

Your poor DH, I hope he's OK.

I’ve done mountain biking for a very long time and then started road cycling too, I’ve gone back to mountain biking as I find it safer off road. Sorry to hear what happened to your husband. I hope they are caught

I have a rear light that is also a camera. I think it’s a Cycliq. I got it in case this sort of thing ever happens

Very sorry to hear that OP.
@Tollington- will be investigating Cycliq, thank you

Sending your DH best wishes. I road cycle and get very tired of the aggressive behaviour from people. I hope your DH recovers quickly. I ride less now than I used to as solo riding means I have no help should some idiot come at me. I have had a few incidents with aggressive male drivers over the years. Your post has reminded me that I need a new helmet camera.

Standard pair of pondlife thugs that are too common these days.