Fighting Back... To Fitness

I've not been riding as much as I would like lately, but there are a few reasons for that. Firstly, the wind has been terrible, and when the wind is pumping it is deeply unpleasant and borderline dangerous to ride in.

Secondly, I'm still quite a way off where I would like to be fitness wise since my operation. I had no idea quite how much it would knock me and quite how tough it would be getting back to where I was before the op'.

Thirdly...

On a ride back in the middle of September I was attacked by a young guy who clearly wanted to hurt me and rob me. It began with him throwing a rock at my head. I ducked and it took a glancing blow off my helmet, but causing me to get off my uni. Having thrown the rock, he stepped forward and lunged at me with a knife (from above his head). I leant back and once the knife was at waist level I stepped forwards and punched him in the face with a sweet left hook. He staggered back a bit and I hoped that was the end of it, but he came at me again with the knife. This time I took half a step back, and as the knife was again at waist level I stepped forwards and kicked him with all my might in the nuts. That put paid to his efforts and left me free to get away from him.

I was amazed at the time how my Boxing training all kicked in and allowed me to deal with the situation, I acted purely on instinct and only afterwards did I give it all much thought. However, I am also acutely aware that he was seriously trying to hurt me, and the outcome could have been very different. However, I'm also more than a little pleased with myself for standing up to this scumbag and letting him know I am not an easy target!

Sadly, this incident has knocked my confidence a bit, I no longer ride in the area where he tried to attack me, and I always ride with two tins of pepper spray, one in my hand and one strapped to my handlebar. As much as I might be able to defend myself, I'd still rather avoid going there if I can.

It's so sad that we live in a world that is so messed up.