"Parrot Run" today

Eros Polly · Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2011 1:43 pm Post subject: "Parrot Run" today

I've had a phone call from a lady complaining about the abusive behaviour of a group of about 150(!?) cyclists near Bleasby when passing a young girl on a horse. Comments being shouted at her like she should get back to the kitchen, shouldn't be on the road etc

Someone had told her this was the Sherwood CC run, but I pointed out that it was nothing to do with us.

She was so enraged (I tried to calm her down) that she says that she will get the police out to the start next week.

Horse riders do have a right to be on the road and long may that continue. I wasn't there, but could well imagine such things happening and remarks by a minority of the riders. It does nothing to help the image of cyclists.

DenHaag · Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2011 2:12 pm Post subject:

150 riders? Do you think she could be exaggerating.

Delucci · Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2011 3:47 pm Post subject:

I was on the ride today with i guess another 50-60 riders, everyone slowed down for the horse and moved in to the gutter on the opposite side of the road.
She started to lose control and started shouting at the bunch.
If she can't control the horse , she shouldn't be on the road, and i personally heard no one shouting at her

Daz.

aultonater · Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2011 4:38 pm Post subject:

I was there to and 60 riders is a good guess. More importantly the woman on the horse.....well the bunch came up quick from behind but slowed to not much more than walking pace and road in the opposite gutter......it is a long straight piece of road and we have the right to over take. We didn't surprise the horse and the rider knew we were there
I was about a third of the way down the bunch which was riding 2 wide and in the other gutter the woman was shouting at us as we passed, saying this isn't fare slow down!!!
We couldn't go any slower and didn't do anything wrong

After half the bunch had passed the horse came across the road into the riders..... we had to wait a few miles later to allow the second half to catch up.... when the horse came into the bunch I wasn't there to comment on what was said

But the rider was not in control of the horse and the horse obviously didn't like being overtaken by cyclists ...dangerous situation> There was a guy on a mountain bike who I think was with them a few meters ahead and he road across the road across the bunch and onto pavement with out problem so we weren't going fast and he didn't say or indicate anything....I would say young woman on horse not a child either

Horses have a legal right to be on the road, and that is correct they should have but they also have an obligation to have control of their horse and to ensure the safety of other road users too

The police would be welcome to discuss with us the incident, I'm sure they have nothing better to do.

We now meet on the safer side of the road as requested by the local councillor. No fuss

Eros Polly · Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2011 7:41 pm Post subject:

Reports of these incidents always vary.

It was obvious that 150 riders was incorrect, even though I disputed it with the woman who rang me. I pointed out that cyclists generally slow down or stop for horses as an animal can never be under absolute control - there is also a danger to the cyclist from a horse leaping about.

It is always a problem with a frisky horse and in the heat of the moment things do get exaggerated. However, it is best to curtail our remarks and remain polite.

Most horse riders do remain polite and signal their thanks when others slow down. We all get a bit uptight when our safety is threatened - we don't want a horse kicking out or landing on us!

RoddersP · Elite Poster Joined: 22 Jun 2008 Posts: 212

I was also on the parrots run today and I cam confirm that ALL the riders slowed to a halt and gave the the horse and rider more room not to spook the horse, as I recall the only abuse was coming from the rider to the fact I was right next to her when she yanked hard right on her reins and moved her horse into the the riders. I am happy to meet up with the police at lowdham and give my statement.

Wheezer! · Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2011 9:02 pm Post subject:

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Eros Polly · Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2011 6:55 am Post subject:

From all the reports I've heard it seems that the horse rider was at fault.

She was the one being abusive using foul language. She expected the whole group to get off and walk past her on the pavement. Quite likely that some riders may have responded with a few ungentlemanly comments.

She probably told an elaborate story (evidenced by "150 cyclists") to the woman who rang me.

pegasus · Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2011 2:15 pm Post subject:

I find it absolutely impossible to believe anyone on that run would ever speak out of turn, upset anyone or act in an unruly manner on the road Wink

maryhinge · Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2011 10:12 pm Post subject:

Did the rozzers turn up then?
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Will Scarlet · E, Silver Joined: 31 Dec 2002 Posts: 1734

Eros Polly · Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2011 9:51 am Post subject:

No.

I got an e-mail from a local bobby this morning and have replied:

Message sent from PC 33 HAYES
Subject: Complaint

Message:

Hi, had a complaint from a couple of horse riders in the Lowdham/Thurgarton area about cyclists shouting at the riders as they pass by causing the horses to rear etc. Would you please remind riders to respect others on the roads.\r\nYour assistance is appreciated.

Reply

I did hear about that. It wasn't a Sherwood Cycling Club ride that went that way on 2 July, we were the other side of the river in the Vale of Belvoir. A women did ring me and I told her that.

I have asked around and from what I have heard, the cyclists slowed down and started to pass as widely as possible. The horse rider started shouting in an abusive way ("Bunch of Lycra clad w#*%5kers. You should get off and walk along the pavement"). She started waving her arms around causing the horse to panic and lost control of the reins.

I hear some riders did respond verbally to her abuse.

Most cyclists, particularly club riders, are well aware of how to pass a horse. There is no way we wish to be involved with a frightened, large, out of control animal and we respect the rights of horse riders to use the roads.

Our normal procedure is to slow down, warn the rider verbally of our presence (hearing a human voice reassures the horse) and pass widely when it is safe.

I will pass the message out generally.

Eros Polly · Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2011 10:17 am Post subject:

I've now had a response from the PC

"Can I thank you for your prompt reply, it is the first I have heard of this kind of thing in 6 years on this area and I have never had a problem with cyclists or clubs"

Patrick · Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 4:32 pm Post subject:

Sounds like she really should be in the kitchen.

windymiller · Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 6:50 pm Post subject:

I would have liked to heard the response the lady horse rider would of got when she contacted the Carlton Police and Dave Jennings had taken the call Shocked

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