CONFRONTATION is often the only way to make your point, it would seem writes Martin Howes.
We often cruise in groups from our Club, and have no hesitation socialising in a way that allows walkers, runners or considerate cyclists to pass. Oblivious to the shouts or multi-pings from the few who have bells does not cause any movement from us. Yes, there are often strong words, but with a few of us it goes no further.
Notice to dismount ignored
I remember pointing out to some cyclists at Kinver, when the water tap was across the towpath and I lifted up my hose (neck height) for cyclists to pass under that they had been asked by the notice to dismount and walk through the moorings. Their response was "every f***** knows what we ought to do!" Later that same week at Stewponey, seeing a group in Lycra come over the junction bridge, I again lifted up the hose. The first two stopped, the latter three crashed into them.
Motorcycles on towpath
There used to be an outfit who brought a trailer of motorcycles to the telegraph pole bridge at Norbury, together with a contingent of young lads who had paid for a rough riding experience which was taken along the towpath. We refused to move, and as things heated up, I called the police. Using the correct ‘alarm response' vocabulary, they attended very quickly.
This venture was a regular occurrence at one time, and passed by the then active British Waterways Offices, but they ignored it. Eight motorcycles on such a busy pedestrian towpath with such a lack of response was indefensible.