On the way to work today I was overtaken by a plush executive car who left about one inch of elbow room (the classic 'I'm too important to move over much'). Of course there were lights with an advanced stop about 30 feet ahead - so I made sure to adopt a very aggressive primary position in the stop zone to ensure he didn't try to overtake, then pull in due to oncoming traffic and squash me!
My girlfriend was beside me on my left, in secondary position.
When the light changed, we made it almost all the way across before he started leaning on his horn and swerved up behind my right pannier. I slowed but my girlfriend didn't, allowing him to swerve left, undertake me and then overtake her! I just about went under his off-side but managed to stay clear, although I pranged my left bars somehow (not on his car I don't think).
An epic chase ensued - as the traffic wasn't too heavy I struggled with my panniers and low gearing to keep up. However after about a mile I managed to catch him and tap the passenger window - he ignored me and drove on. So I caught him again a couple of minutes later and we had a short conversation where he told me I shouldn't have been riding side by side and could get killed cycling like that!!


Only by herculean effort did I manage not to smash up his car. Instead I told him he was mad to weave through cyclists like that and I would phone the police.
So my question is - should I bother to report this or not? I'm not sure quite what happened when he undertook me but in the panic my bar tape has torn out at the top of the bar and possibly the wiring underneath (don't ask) has been damaged.
Since my girlfriend can witness, is there any mileage in pursuing this, either with the police or through Small Claims for a bike shop to re-tape the bars (on principle?)
Alternatively any other suggestions to divert my rage before it gives me a very early heart attack!
PS Do you think he started driving randomly to avoid me? I can't imagine this is his normal route!!.... (also, 2.5 miles! better than I thought)
PPS If for some reason you find yourself near a black Volvo XC90 2.4D automatic, reg. 1RLA - watch out! Also realised how silly it is for bad drivers to have custom plates.