A cyclist today admitted launching a volley of abuse at Boris Johnson during the RideLondon event - but claimed he was only trying to urge him on because he looked so “sickly”.
Bob Carter, 52, teased the mayor as he “struggled” to climb Leith Hill in Surrey on the gruelling 100-mile course.
The Mayor wrote about the tirade in his newspaper column of how he had been ambushed by a “Gollum-like creature whose legs seemed to be shrink-wrapped about his spindly form”.
Mr Carter, who rides for the VC Norwich club, told the Standard: “I was only trying to help him on, he was really in trouble and looked very sickly. He seemed to take it in good heart.
“Hell would have to freeze over before I voted for him but fair play to him he completed the ride, which was very tough. I was giving him a bit of abuse and I think he thought I called him “a fat b******” but I didn’t. In Norwich we are far too polite for that.
“As for Gollum, he is a cheeky so and so saying that, I have never heard that one before.”
“I am glad he finished and if he wants to get fitter he is welcome to join us in Norwich on Sunday for our club ride.”
The Mayor was philosophical about the jeering he received from Mr Carter.
He said: “Out of the corner of my eye I saw someone imitating me – pedalling alongside and puffing with satirical glee. He was one of those Gollum-like creatures whose lycra appeared to be shrink-wrapped about his spindly form.
“His legs were as brown and thin as Victorian dining room chairs, and he seemed to be so totally hairless that one could imagine he applied Veet to every portion of his anatomy in order to minimise wind resistance.
“A sign on his bony pelvis proclaimed that he belonged to a Norwich cycling club.
“Garn, Boris, he cackled, “put your back into it you fat b******.” I smiled weakly, and tried to indicate that although his advice was no doubt excellent I preferred, like some wounded animal to be left alone with my pain.”
More than 70,000 riders took part in the event at the weekend on a course starting in the Olympic Park and finishing on the Mall.
