Another reason to wear a helmet. Albeit one I never previously considered (paintball attack)

For what it's worth I thought I'd share my Sunday morning cycle experience with the community.

On my local training loop cycling southbound from Southwick to Portsmouth going up Portsdown Hill on the B2177, I was shot in the head with a paintball from a car travelling in the opposite direction!!!

At first I thought it was bird poo or some other road debri that had flicked up from somewhere. I realised it was a paintball when i cleared away the the blue paint and broken shell casing from the side of my head. I have played paintball before so recognise it form that. The paintball hit me in the temple but luckily it hit my chin strap which took the impact, so apart from being a bit sore there am OK.

An inch to the left and it would of hit my eye. I was wearing cycling sun glasses. Not sure they're designed to withstand a paintball direct hit though.

I reported the incident to the police almost immediately, more from the perspective of potentially helping the police piece together the suspects movements if this was to be part of a spree rather than the hope the police would catch them - I did not get the reg there is not much to go on. When hit I was more focused on getting up the hill and by the time I realised what had happened the car was long gone. All I noticed it was metallic green possibly a hatchback.

In fairness to the police I got a call back on Sunday afternoon from a Detective Sergeant from the local CID. Fortunately at the time there were no other incidents, however without any other incidents they cant investigate further as just nothing to go on. They also had traffic police patrol the area.

A bit shaken up I decided to continue my ride. Wasn't going to let these b*****ds ruin my day!

Whether they had a thing against cyclists or just generally anyone they didn't like the look of - who can say. Just goes and show, what a bunch of pychos are out there using the roads.....