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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would you have been weirded out by this - man on walk

18 replies

Iyaaa · 27/10/2023 13:26

I walked along a secluded walking trail today and a man was approaching me on a bike coming the opposite way. When he saw me coming he got off his bike, checked behind him to see if anyone was around. There did happen to be someone else approaching. He then got back on his back straight away. When he went past I gave him room and he said ‘don’t worry, I don’t want that much space from you darling’ would you find this weird?

OP posts:
KateyCuckoo · 27/10/2023 13:28

Yes absolutely. Sounds like you were lucky there was a passer by.

rainbowstardrops · 27/10/2023 13:29

Yes, sounds weird.

Abovemypaygrade · 27/10/2023 13:31

Yes
sadly nowadays secluded walks and paths are somewhere to avoid if you are alone

RandomButtons · 27/10/2023 13:31

Yes that’s wierd.

bombastix · 27/10/2023 13:32

Yes of course.

RoseBucket · 27/10/2023 13:35

When I was taught to ride a bike (a very long time ago) I was taught to get off the bike when passing on a narrow path and then jump back on for politeness. But I can often feel safer walking the dog in busy areas I don’t like secluded areas anymore.

Londiniumrocks · 27/10/2023 13:36

Sounds like a creep.

Original poster
Iyaaa · 27/10/2023 13:39

Thanks everyone for your replies. Just felt a bit weird. Quite a lonely path, think I will avoid it next time. @RoseBucket it was a very wide path so lots of room for people and bikes to pass. I just moved to the other side and that’s when he made that comment but he was back on his bike after he had checked if anyone was behind

OP posts:
Wishitsnows · 27/10/2023 13:41

Sounds like you we’re lucky someone else was there

coxesorangepippin · 27/10/2023 13:42

Yes

But I'd avoid lonely paths anyway

Too many nutcase men around

ManateeFair · 27/10/2023 13:43

The comment on its own is something I think I would interpret as being a mildly sexist way of saying 'Don't worry about stepping aside, you're not in my way' but somehow, when it's combined with the thing about him getting off his bike, looking around and then getting back on again when he realised there was someone behind him, it does seem a lot more weird. What was his tone of voice when he said it? Did he say it a cheery, banterish, type way (which is annoying but less creepy) or in a serious, staring-at-you-like-a-weirdo type way?!

Anyway, yes, I can definitely see why you were weirded out.

BackAgainstWall · 27/10/2023 13:46

@RoseBucket
Agreed, BUT he then got back on his bike and rode passed her on his bike.

OP, I think you may have had a very lucky escape.

PlantDoctor · 27/10/2023 13:47

Creepy and dodgy

MereDintofPandiculation · 27/10/2023 14:25

write down everything you remember about the encounter and the man’s appearance while it is still fresh in your mind, in case it is of use later.

plumtreebroke · 27/10/2023 14:39

If he looked back and saw an other walker he must have just passed them as well so he would have known there was someone there. The comment sounds creepy and the use of darling ugh. Usually just a 'good morning', 'good afternoon' or 'thank you' are what you get from random strangers walking or biking along paths. Were there any other bikes coming that way after him? They often have companions that drop behind or rush ahead and they do stop and look behind to see if the one behind is catching up.

Suusue · 27/10/2023 14:46

YES very definitely.

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 27/10/2023 14:56

He's a definite predator. I want to say report this to 111 so they know who he is in case he goes on to do more/worse

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