is there a "cone of silence" i dont know about for road bikers?

[jyl]

No, 12-15 mph on a MUP is fine, but you may still have to slow when close to walkers.

My rant is about people who think it is okay to ride 20-25 mph on a crowded MUP flying by walkers, joggers, little kids, grandma, when right over there is a proper road where they can ride 30+ mph (if they could) without bothering anyone.

Quote de jyl

Another word on MUPs - by which I mean multi user paths that are in fact heavily used by walkers, joggers, grandmas, cruisers.



Here is the way it is. Real road riders don't ride hard on MUPs. Real road riders ride hard on the f--king road, because they are fast and strong and experienced enough. The kind of road rider who does his "hard" riding on a MUP is called a "path warrior" and is reviled by all.



(Disclaimer: this does not apply to a path that is technically a MUP but in practice is only used by cyclists. Then it is a cycle path and I think it is okay to hammer on it, if it isn't congested with slow cyclists. If it is, then go to the road. If Mr Path Warrior is so freaking fast, he should be out there with the big boys.

First off - I agree - I should have been more alert about the pedestrian that cut into me. I did ask if he was ok after we hit - he heard me, and said he was ok, and apologyzed. I am glad he was ok - I did loop back that way a few minutes later to see if he was hurt, but he was gone. I thought I gave him enough room - but that path isn't that wide. I will need to be more attentive, and anticipate them more.



Secondly - I certainly do not classify myself as a 'hard rider,' and I don't think anyone sees me as a 'path warrior.' There are plenty of folks in the park that zip past me on bikes. Quite humbling at times...but I am out there to get in shape, and I don't pretend I'm doing the Tour de France. That said - given that more folks pass me than I pass others, I don't think 12-15 is too fast for that path -- thoughts?



I used to ride on the streets when I was much younger. In North NJ, that can be a very dangerous proposition. Many a time, I was inches from the side of Mac trucks and garbage trucks, as well as cars that didn't see me. Can't believe I never got clobbered. When I moved to my current town, I realized I live between two very busy roads that really aren't very condusive to bike riding. (One is two-lanes - double yellow, and the other is 4 lanes, double yellow - both with a speed limit of 45 - everyone does 55-60). They did put in bike lanes on a couple of roads in town - but I'd have to drive to them -- maybe I will do that.



-Z-man.

[slodave]

Walkers!?! I've never seen any Walkers!!! Do I need to start carrying a crossbow and machete??

[RWebb]

you never met John Walker?

[slodave]

Not yet! I hope to.

[intakexhaust]

Originally Posted by jyl

Pedestrians are more dangerous than cars. Seriously. I ride on city streets to/from work daily, probably pass or am passed by 1,000 cars a week, only about 1 x per 2-3 months does a car even start to make a dangerous move and - key - those moves are predictable. If a car is going to turn in front of you, it is because there is an intersection, a driveway, a parking spot that the driver is turning at. Except for those specific points, cars don't turn. After all, drivers are not in the habit of suddenly turning and smashing into the curb, sidewalk, buildings, etc.

But pedestrians - they turn at any time, for any reason, no reason, look at that bird, ah-choo, oh I forgot something, and they pivot on a dime without warning.

I try hard not to ride around pedestrians, meaning not on MUPs that are often used by pedestrians, and I slow down (10 mph) and ding the bell whether they need it or not. That means a lot of irritating slowing and speeding up.

I'd rather ride on the street than on a MUP or park path popular with walkers.

Spot on.
I one time had a near catastrophic head-on with a mother and baby in stroller. She was in the middle of the bike / walk path and we clearly acknowledged each other in plenty of time and distance. So what did she do? She splits to her right but pushes away the baby and stroller to her left (apparently and hoping I would go between them!!!). I didn't expect that and went off waaay to the right of the trail.

small bell- These off of flea bay are awesome. Weigh next to nothing and work great. Absurd cheap shipped free from Cheena.

[creaturecat]

The last time i used my bell, the lady told me to f-off, couldn't i see that she was out enjoying her quiet time?

[vash]

the best tongue lashing i got once was during my jog. i was running down this dark trail..like DARK! it was summer. the only way to survive a jog was to do it at night.

of course being a "pelican type"..i have the super flashlight of overkill. i didnt leave it on..i would just blast it down dark corridors..and then trot down wearing my dimmer headlamp. checking for mountain lions..i guess.

this one dark stretch..i give it a quick blip. i see an old lady. quickly switch it off..i jog on. when i get to her, she unloads. i mean like a drunken sailer..i think she called me the C word!! i was stunned and came to a stop to listen. i got the full gold treatment of cussing out. mo fo, c word, b word, s word, eat s, she suggest i stick my head up my A...it was epic!!

i wanted to give her the full face flashlight treatment..but elected to leave the old lady alone. i jogged on with my tail tucked..grinning. happy she wasnt my grandma.

[85eurocarrera]

Originally Posted by intakexhaust

small bell- These off of flea bay are awesome. Weigh next to nothing and work great. Absurd cheap shipped free from Cheena.

Or spend 200x's that and get yourself a nice rear hub that buzzes, like a Chris King.

I can understand people getting annoyed with the dinging of bells on a busy MUP. It's getting old on the single track too. Hub noise is the new bell for me.

[Zoro]

I doubt those folks were racers.
Real racers do their hard stuff in races on the weekend. So...
-they usually are not riding on the weekend unless there is no race going on.
-they are usually not in a hurry as they are recovering or building base miles
-they have nothing to prove to those not racing (unless they are trying to impress a chick or something like that)
-save their current year team kits for races and are riding in old faded stuff or what they can find
-Ride slower training wheels that cost less for fixing flats - maybe
-they say hi

[vash]

or squeeky brakes

[look 171]

Originally Posted by creaturecat

The last time i used my bell, the lady told me to f-off, couldn't i see that she was out enjoying her quiet time?

She should stay home or find a state with less people. Forget the bell. I / we scream, not at her, but tell the guy behind us what's up ahead so they don't end up in between her butt crack. We don't ride bike trails. Many who do get upset when we get near the center lane and start saying stuff. We blow by them so fast we can only see their mouth move. On some of the flatter streets, some times we move along at close to 30 mph with a couple of guys in tow. We yell out to the guy behind us to watch car doors, runner, or other cyclist. They get upset over it beause they feel that we are yelling at them. Too freaking bad. I rather get them upset then have one move over and take us down at that speed.

Why do bike riders get upset when a car beeps his horn? why not just look and move over. Al they are saying is excuse me, I am right behind you or on your left. Its ok when another rider does that but not a car?

[snbush67]

I have bunny hopped over homeless people sleeping on the Pearl Harbor bike path on more than one occasion.

One day I was dangerously close to being terminated by a little girl on a pink bike with tassels, she maintained a straight line right up until the point I was passing her, upon my saying calmly "I am passing you on your left" she turned and looked at me, I guess her neck did not swivel independently of her arms thus causing her to steer into my line. It got real bad after that because a crack head homeless dude decided he was finished being passed out in the ditch and stumbled out into my only outlet, which left me a heading for a 4" sawed off pole that was supposed to block vehicles from entering the path. Again I amazed myself by missing both of them and hopping over the pole.

I have more ...

[snbush67]

I can respect a driver that wants to get by and let's me know he is there by beeping his horn I always make room for them as soon as it is practical and give them a friendly wave. Bus drivers here always give a short beep, I appreciate that, plus I can get one hell of a draft from a bus.

[ZLP]

I only ride with my yellow US Postal jersey and cycling cap flipped up, no helmet.

[berettafan]

First ride after about 4 weeks off the bike (AFIB incident) recently and got passed by another roadie and was offered a 'good morning' which I returned. Tried to keep up with him up the hill but couldn't maintain.

Generally get waves/good mornings from local roadies here though there are a few who are constantly 'group training'.

Vash if you can even fit in a cycling jersey you're doing better than me! at 265lbs right now I wear brightly colored wicking shirts that aren't cycling specific so no back pockets.

[berettafan]

Originally Posted by Z-man

I do have a question - in today's ride, a couple of times, a few other riders would come up behind me, and match my speed instead of passing me. Now I am just starting back on biking, and my speed is somewhere between 12 and 15 mph - ie not very fast. So why do they follow me instead of passing me? I am rather wide - but I doubt they are using me as a wind blocker, given my slow speed...

-Z-man.

I like letting someone else set a pace. Helps me forget the work i'm doing.

[5String43]

In our town, at least, they appear to be elitist di**s who talk only among themselves and think that the traffic laws apply only to other people. And yeah, they all dress like they're in the peloton for the Tour de France.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by snbush67

I can respect a driver that wants to get by and let's me know he is there by beeping his horn I always make room for them as soon as it is practical and give them a friendly wave. Bus drivers here always give a short beep, I appreciate that, plus I can get one hell of a draft from a bus.

No bus driver gets a break from me in this town. Those guys are real butt heads and expects everyone to stop for them. They cut off cars and bicycles all day long. Before this road bike thing got popular, there were buy drivers that stop their bus to yell at us or get within inches from our back tires. I mean less then 12 inches becasue we refuse to let them go and we had the right of way.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by 5String43

In our town, at least, they appear to be elitist di**s who talk only among themselves and think that the traffic laws apply only to other people. And yeah, they all dress like they're in the peloton for the Tour de France.

Thanks I will see you again soon. Where in Socal are you? All? I have said this before, there are those who train and really know how to ride in traffic, then there are those that dress the part with color matching through and through and are yapping and sight seeing through out the whole ride having no clue what's around them.

Only talk among themselves? What did you want them to do for you? invite you to their house for the after ride BBQ? when I go on a group ride, I really don't talk to anyone unless I was waiting for the ride to start. What's there to talk about?

[Joe Bob]

Originally Posted by ZLP

I only ride with my yellow US Postal jersey and cycling cap flipped up, no helmet.

I hope you have a plastic cover for yer seat.....