I found a link to this article on the same page: Grandpa assaulted by cyclists 22/11/2006 07:47 - (SA) http://www.news24.com/News24v2/Images/tsp.gif Cobus Coetzee, Beeld Johannesburg - A grandfather and engineer from Boksburg on the East Rand was attacked by six cyclists after he hooted at them in order to pass. Pierre Grobbelaar, 61, was attacked at his office in Concorde Street, Bedfordview, after he had hooted "very politely" to ask them to make way for him to pass about a kilometre from his work. "They formed part of a group of about 40 who were spread out across the road. I hooted and all of them moved away, but when I stopped at my office, six cyclists awaited me and started beating me," he said. Grobbelaar, who worked for Murray and Roberts, said he suffered several blows to the head and upper body and was sprayed with pepper-spray. "It felt like an eternity. They ripped my shirt from my body." The cyclists seemed to be part of an organised cycling practice run and all of them were wearing cycling gear. "When a colleague tried to help me, they threw her aside like a rag," said Grobbelaar. The cyclists stopped attacking him after one of them had used pepper-spray on him. Dr Frans Human from Germiston said on Tuesday Grobbelaar had suffered several bruises to his face and body, but the worst was that he had to receive a cortisone injection to improve his breathing. Superintendent Andy Pieke, a police spokesperson, said a case of assault was being investigated. "We haven't arrested any suspects, but Bedfordview police will be talking to all the cycling clubs in the area in order to identify the suspects," he said. According to some reading that I did, it is actually a good thing when a car hoots from behind a riding group acknowledging the existance of the riders on the road. it means that the car has seen the cyclists, and means them no harm... ( I know it is not true in all cases, but the driver doesnt want to damage his car) I probably stand a big chance of getting flamed here, but why do a lot of cyclists persist in taking up half a lane on a club/training ride just so they can chat to their buddies? Surely road safety comes first, and obstruction is illegal?? Poenster2007-02-12 00:03:43
