...to think this cyclist was weirdly bloody-minded?

[fromthegecko]

I live on a cul-de-sac which joins a main road at a T-junction. There are always cars parked in the outbound lane from about fifty yards away to a point about two car lengths from the T-junction. So anyone leaving the cul-de-sac must check no-one has just turned into it from the main road before moving into the inbound lane for those fifty yards. If someone turns into the cul-de-sac while this is going on, they wait at the end of it, and there is just enough space for outbound vehicle to squeeze between them and the last parked car and get back into their correct, outbound, lane.

Today, as I was halfway through this manoeuvre, a cyclist turned into the cul-de-sac and stopped only once we were nose-to-nose, leaving me no space to get back into my correct lane. He was roughly level with the last of the parked cars. He could have given me passing space by moving backwards or to his left by a few feet. And there was also space for him to pass me, albeit with care, on either side of my vehicle.

Instead, he waved and shouted at me, and wasn't happy until I reversed (fifty yards uphill) to a point where I could move back into the outbound lane. Then I had to watch him slowly cycle those fifty yards. He looked about ninety.

Is it me or was this weird?

As a cyclist, I'm not going to go complete anti cyclist here. He was wrong and sometimes there are dickheads in all walks of life.

There is no such thing as right of way so regardless that you were on his side of the road you had clearly iniated the move before he got there.

He should have absolutely given you room to complete your manoeuvre and both of you could have continued with your day.

I was just so confused!

This. You were already passing the parked cars so he should given way.

There’s not a chance in hell I would have reversed for this arsehole. I can sit for a looooong time.

Quite. I always have a book on me :) And if he starts to get aggressive or violent, that's what cameras are for.

His age is irrelevant.

No way in hell would I have reversed for a cyclist!

If it's a cul de sac then surely he's a neighbour and you know who he is?

I would guess he didn't want to lose momentum, and didn't realise at first that you wouldn't have anywhere to tuck in for 50 yards. We get lots of parking round here but there's usually gaps for people to wait in. He was in the wrong, so was always more likely to be a dick about it, but making you reverse was very unreasonable.

I would have died of old age before reversing back all that way.

The vast majority of male cyclists are c. He should have moved back as you were already committed. That is how the Highway Code works, or how I was taught to drive. I bet a man would not have moved for him, not saying that’s right either.

I didn't recognise him, and he had stopped, so it wasn't a momentum issue. I think perhaps he failed to see or notice me and it gave him embarrassment anger.

😂 100%

As a cyclist myself: yes, that was pointless and shitty cycling. Guy had a problem. Well done for just getting on with it and rising above, there isn't much you can do about people like that.

I would guess he didn't want to lose momentum, and didn't realise at first that you wouldn't have anywhere to tuck in for 50 yards.

I initially misunderstood you but, yes, I think this is what happened.

Is it just me who couldn’t make head nor tail of the op? Am I thick or do I just need more coffee (or both?! 🤣)

I had an incident with a cyclist today where I had right of way on a bend, and they were joining from a side road which had give way markings. They did not give way and just sailed out infront of me. Have I missed something whereby cyclists do not have to obey the road markings? 🤔

i wouldn’t have reversed up a hill for an entitled, arrogant cyclist.

Could the bend have prevented the cyclist from seeing you before they exited the side road? Poor sight lines are a bane.

Absolutely not! It’s wide open.