THIS cycle cost over £1,000,” its helmeted and Lycra-clad rider announced when admonished by an unimpressed pedestrian, circa 35, for failing to observe the lights at a Cowley Road pelican crossing.

“Weren’t brakes included in the price?” said the latter, sarcasm bubbling from every well-formed syllable.

The bearded rider ignored the remarks, preferring to say he had not seen the pedestrian who was obscured by a van that had stopped in response to the lights.

“You would have seen me had you not been racing along in the inside lane,” said the pedestrian. “Might I suggest you enrol for a cycling proficiency test? It proved useful for my seven-year-old daughter.”

The cyclist, now near to exploding, looked in my direction for support. It was not forthcoming. He resorted to a selection of unnecessary swear words before resuming his journey.

“Two-nil to us, I believe,” said my fellow victim of abuse, before adding: “I detest cyclists. Does it show?”.

THE last time Spencer saw Oxford United in the flesh, Dean Saunders still wore the club shirt and the Kassam Stadium wasn’t even a dream.

But it’s amazing what an FA Cup win can do and on Tuesday this former bus driver now knew all there was to know about ‘the great game’.

Phrases like “our boys” and “everyone’s loyal support” resounded in the now echoing Westgate Centre. Thank heavens he didn’t spout forth in our favourite Covered Market cafe where Spencer’s ‘allegiance’ to United is unheard of. We might have been barred.

“Bring on Blackburn!” he said loudly when striding off, but not before he failed to answer my question: Would he be queuing for a ticket? Fair weather supporter? The world is full of ‘em.

WHILE the world of music mourns the loss of David Bowie, let’s not forget the passing of former St Edward’s School pupil Ed ‘Stewpot’ Stewart, who was very much a part of the childhood of the generation that is weeping for the highly talented man of music.

Ed – real name Edward Stewart Mainwaring – will always be remembered for hosting first, radio’s Junior Choice and then, television’s Crackerjack, a must for most young viewers and a programme whose name became a national catchphrase.

PLEASANT chatter was hard to come by in Oxford on Tuesday morning. It was bitterly cold made worse by a biting wind.

However, five people – four men and a woman – spoke to me between Magdalen Bridge and St Michael at the Northgate Church in Cornmarket Street. They all asked the same question: “Have you any spare change, please?”

Would readers confirm that this is 2016 and that we are living in one of the world’s richest economies?