Mt Vernon Trail – Suspect to have assaulted bicyclists (PIC!)

What is this guy doing? Is he knocking cyclists off their bikes? (It’s pretty easy for a pedestrian to push over a cyclist if they attack from the side.) Or using some type of weapon?

Hmm, I had forgotten about an incident I experienced on the 14th St. Bridge (George Mason Bridge) a couple years ago. I don’t know if it’s the same guy because it was dark at the time. I was riding from D.C. to Arlington in the evening, after sundown. I don’t remember the exact time but it was well past dusk. I had a blinking front light and I was probably wearing my usual high-visibility gear (either a dayglow windbreaker or a bright white running shirt). I was riding on the right side of the path. Up ahead, I saw a cyclist approaching. (I don’t remember if he had a light or not, but I could clearly see him.) OK, not a big deal. Except that he moved to his left, directly in front of me. I started waving and gesturing for him to move back. There was no reason whatsoever for him to move into his left lane and directly into my path.

I kept pedaling for a few seconds. Then I decided to move to my left to avoid him. After a few seconds, he moved to his right, to get directly in front of me again. This wasn’t a case of confusion when passing. He was clearly playing a game of chicken. I moved back to my right, about 20 feet before we passed. As he rode by, I could tell that he was an older man. Definitely not in his 20s. More like 50s or 60s, although I can’t be certain. I was pretty angry about the situation. I didn’t shout out too much, but I did say something like “What the hell?” I didn’t see what kind of bike he was riding.

I posted about it on the forum back then. I think someone mentioned another encounter on the trails with someone who might have been the same person. Perhaps it’s a generalization, but I usually find most of the older cyclists (50s, 60s) to be more conservative and careful on the trails than some of the young bucks. That’s partly why I was so surprised about the encounter.

I wouldn’t be surprised if it was this Jonathan Mark fellow.

@TwoWheelsDC 74739 wrote:

People with first name surnames are not to be trusted.

What about Kelley? Would that be a first name surname (for me)? Or if it’s someone’s first name, would that make it a surname first name?

BTW, I’m no relation to Tim Kelley, as far as I know.

@dkel 74740 wrote:

What about Kelley? Would that be a first name surname (for me)? Or if it’s someone’s first name, would that make it a surname first name?

BTW, I’m no relation to Tim Kelley, as far as I know.

People named Kel/ley/ly/lie/etc are DEFINITELY not to be trusted.

So say we all.

Did they ever find Jonathan Mark? Did anyone else think of this thread after hearing about today’s events in Alexandria (double shooting by an elderly man)? I have no idea if Mark was the shooter, but I think the possibility should be explored. He’s an older guy and angry at the world. The description fits someone like the shooter today, based on the limited details released so far. Makes you wonder…

http://alextimes.com/2014/02/shooting-leaves-two-injured/

@Fast Friendly Guy 76828 wrote:

Hey! What’s this about ‘older cyclists;’ don’t throw us farts in the same pot! Not that I have a devil-may-care attitude, but, in fact, we can be quite frisky, and some of us are very friendly!

HEY YOU, Get off my lawn!