AS a father I relish time with my son, Patrick. We took part in the Wiggle Sportive on Saturday 12th April 2014. We both love cycling.

Good time had by all but slightly marred by the actions of others. With trepidation I’d read of New Forest residents objections.

So for the record we spent a good £130 after with family and friends in a forest pub before returning home.

We rode through Burley and encountered a strange woman who angrily shouted from the roadside “Look, there’s two now, get a photo” to her husband who appeared distracted in admiration of a young lady in lycra. As we rode away we heard her exclaim “two abreast”, even though I’d been behind my son.

Later, more frightening, a car drew parallel to me, my son already in the distance as he’s faster on the hills. The driver shouted shortly before he swerved closely and shot off towards Patrick. The next thing I knew a plastic bottle was thrown out of the passenger window, thankfully just missing him, and the driver accelerated off at a speed.

Patrick stopped and waited, obviously shaken. Only 15 he’s unaccustomed to such anger, saying the driver had sworn and swerved closer before throwing the bottle. Much has been made about how bad the cyclists are but I have to be honest I didn’t see any shouting, swearing or “speeding”.

CHRISTOPHER HALLETT, Southampton