Trail Riding Gripes

OMG! I rode the Cape Cod Canal bike trail yesterday mid-morning and encountered every genre of offenders on first leg of the trip.

I even had a bicyclist who had dismounted, left his bike on the opposite side of the trail and literally crossed right front of me, forcing me to swerve to the right (where thankfully there happened to be a side road to turn on.). I am not a fast rider by any means, but there is no way I could have stopped to avoid hitting him.

Thankfully, the ride back was much more enjoyable.

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Originally Posted by tulip

Gosh. And I was complaining about the lack of bicycle facilities in my city. Guess I should count my blessings that I only have to worry about belligerent drivers.

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This is why I tend to avoid our MUT. We have several good trail systems in the area, but they get so busy with non-cyclist traffic - which is GREAT that so many people use the facilities - I can get to where I am going quicker and easier on the road.

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Originally Posted by Catrin

This is why I tend to avoid our MUT. We have several good trail systems in the area, but they get so busy with non-cyclist traffic - which is GREAT that so many people use the facilities - I can get to where I am going quicker and easier on the road.

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You've come a long way, Catrin! I remember a time when you were uncomfortable riding on any roads...

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Originally Posted by tulip

You've come a long way, Catrin! I remember a time when you were uncomfortable riding on any roads...

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Thanks Tulip :) It was urban roads that was the problem once I finally left the park I initially learned how to ride on ;) I loved my empty country roads and was quite resistant to ride anywhere else! Never have liked riding on any MUT, outside of the Little Miami trail in Ohio.

in regards to#8 (: have to add a disclaimer to this for my sons (16, 19 and 21) and their friends- all broke students who shun spandex due to its price and "roadie" association- after their tshirts become drenched with sweat they usually end up shirtless- though they never ride bike paths either so hopefully it doesn't bother anyone (:

I take issue with most of Minuteman Trail Rants. He sounds like one of those guys who treat MUT's as their personal race track. MUT's are, by nature, intended for multiple uses. The trails attract "newbies" who are learning skills, families who are out for an afternoon jaunt, and people who generally want to avoid having to interact with cars.

Some MUT users are still learning trail etiquette from the examples set by more experienced trail users. A few users will always be too self-absorbed to use the trails courteously. But come on, fast riders who don't want to deal with anyone who dares to use the trails for anything other than fast riding should stay off of MUT's. Leave the MUT's to people who want to take time to smell the flowers.

I don't really care about the attire (or lack of attire) much, it is all what you get used to. Though butt crack is still tough for me.

But unpredictable behavior is bothersome. Children that weave all over creates all sorts of dissonance for me. I understand that little kids behave unpredictably but where else are they going to ride? Do we ban kids who are too young to follow the rules of the road and tell them to stay on the sidewalks? I like the trails that have a separate pedestrian section, though in the twin cities I see plenty of peds who ignore the ped lane and walk or run the bike lane. I even yell at them sometimes. But where do the three and four year old riders ride? Should they be with the peds if their parents are walking? And how do you communicate rules for these types of situations?

I am surprised there aren't more accidents on the twin cities greenway. But I still tend to prefer the greenway to the streets in the cities. I just have to be on high alert.

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Originally Posted by tealtreak

in regards to#8 (: have to add a disclaimer to this for my sons (16, 19 and 21) and their friends- all broke students who shun spandex due to its price and "roadie" association- after their tshirts become drenched with sweat they usually end up shirtless- though they never ride bike paths either so hopefully it doesn't bother anyone (:

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That's because there are NO bike paths here, or so few that don't connect to any others...

A shirtless and fit 16-21 year old man is likely a whole different category than a shirtless and unfit 50-year old man...however, I still think that shirts are a good thing in public regardless of age and gender, but that's just my opinion.

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Originally Posted by Artista

I take issue with most of Minuteman Trail Rants. He sounds like one of those guys who treat MUT's as their personal race track. MUT's are, by nature, intended for multiple uses. The trails attract "newbies" who are learning skills, families who are out for an afternoon jaunt, and people who generally want to avoid having to interact with cars.

Some MUT users are still learning trail etiquette from the examples set by more experienced trail users. A few users will always be too self-absorbed to use the trails courteously. But come on, fast riders who don't want to deal with anyone who dares to use the trails for anything other than fast riding should stay off of MUT's. Leave the MUT's to people who want to take time to smell the flowers.

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I'm sure it was overdone for effect. Aren't most items in Best of Craigslist?

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Originally Posted by goldfinch

But unpredictable behavior is bothersome. Children that weave all over creates all sorts of dissonance for me. I understand that little kids behave unpredictably but where else are they going to ride? Do we ban kids who are too young to follow the rules of the road and tell them to stay on the sidewalks?

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I don't mind the kids riding on the trails but if a child is old enough to ride a two-wheeler, the parents should continually remind them that they must stay in their lane.

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Originally Posted by tulip

That's because there are NO bike paths here, or so few that don't connect to any others...

A shirtless and fit 16-21 year old man is likely a whole different category than a shirtless and unfit 50-year old man...however, I still think that shirts are a good thing in public regardless of age and gender, but that's just my opinion.

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Oh (: I didn't clarify (: we ride gnarly singletrack- so other than back in the parking lot only the critters are likely to see my shirtless kids (:

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Originally Posted by pll

I find trails scarier than riding on the road! I use them for short stretches, when I cannot avoid it.

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I use the trails around the Twin Cities mainly in spring and fall only, when the weather is cool and they are not very populated. They ARE scarier than being out on the road! Too many clueless wonders wandering around in their own little worlds on the trails.

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Originally Posted by Norse

I use the trails around the Twin Cities mainly in spring and fall only, when the weather is cool and they are not very populated. They ARE scarier than being out on the road! Too many clueless wonders wandering around in their own little worlds on the trails.

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Indeed. I've had a friend seriously hurt after colliding with another rider who was on the wrong side of the trails, speeding around a blind corner. Roller bladers listening to their ipods are a particularly dangerous species.