So sorry to hear that, but I'm afraid you running in to them was a matter of bad luck, there's dickheads everywhere unfortunately. Not sure what I would have done.

Call Tory HQ, they'll be happy to explain why police stations are closed most of the time (if they haven't been closed down completely). They can probably explain the potholes too! (Sorry for a rant from another baffled immigrant...)

Nick

I'm really sorry that happened to you - hopefully it's a very isolated incident. I suspect that you'll feel shaken by it for some time to come.

I'm always very very careful around groups of young lads when I'm on a bike - I make sure I give them as wide a berth as a can (which you were doing). You can replay it over and over in your head, but as you say jumping out and starting a fight when there's 4 of them wouldn't have ended well.

All encounters that I have had with the police in the last 20 years have been equally as frustrating and pointless FWIW.

It's an interesting point you make on the likelihood of someone in the US being armed preventing mid-level violence. I'd still rather be in a country without guns however!

There are dickheads everywhere though...

I don't really get shaken so I'm ok on that count. I'd bet the one guy that hit me wouldn't have done it without his mates (one - to back him up, two- to show off to). If he had, he'd be looking for his teeth.

I'm with you on the guns issue. I had a collection and used them for competition and hunting. It's a hands down excellent trade off not being able to own them here versus the risks of a firearm-related death. 

I went out for a really nice ride this morning, as I do most days. The incident isn't going to change anything for me except that I'll probably toss my walking stick in the Quest.

It does color my already tarnished opinion of Oxford, though. Hopefully Derby will be an improvement.

Very sorry to hear of this encounter with these scumbags. I know Oxford quite well.

You handled this correctly. Cowley Road has these feral vermin - probably the same ones that were molesting young women on the top deck of a double decker bus. But I digress.

First off if you would like things taken further then the police are 100% useless and will do nothing to help you. If you want to do something yourself then Cowley Road is flooded with CCTV cameras. You can get access to these via something called a 'subject access request' under the 'data protection act' this for the purpose of 'investigating a crime' for any that are helpful it is reasonable to pay a small admin fee (£10) but only if they give you the footage or a jpeg. On Cowley Road for example there is a camera outside Banardos, and outside the public loos up on a lamp post. Even the Cowley Road police station might have cameras pointing at the road. Knowing exactly where the incident took place then use google maps to find the nearest camera.

I am also sympathetic with your view on Oxford potholes. I was heading towards the Plain roundabout early one morning in my velomobile and drove over some rough road around a drain cover that was so bad it shook the chain off my front chain-ring. At this point I was coasting to the UKs 2nd most dangerous roundabout for cyclists with no means of propulsion and it was still dark. Fortunately the pavement is near flush there and I was able to mount the pavement and stop for repairs. There were no more incidents to Apsley Guise in Milton Keynes.

On a crime prevention note I am aware of South African drivers who mount flame throwers to their cars - which are needed at traffic lights. The US approach can reduce some forms of crime. I would like to see a tracker dart being universal, then restorative justice can be made at a more convenient time - but then Karen disapproves of this cos she is a bit of a liberal.

You take care and I apologise about the scumbags and useless police in my country.