Trail Riding Gripes

[kajero]

1) People riding side by side who think it is acceptable to ride over the center line (marked) into the other lane. I was on a very narrow trail in the oncoming lane and I actually almost went off the trail on my side to avoid them.

2) Cyclists who pass but do not check to see if there is enough room to "butt" into a line of bikers if another cyclist should come from the other direction

3) Cyclists who don't say "On Your Left" when the trails are very busy. Even though it makes really unhappy, I can almost, but not entirely forgive it when trails are not really busy.

4) Cyclists who don't get off the trail when they stop!

5) Cyclists who have MP3 players earplugs in their ears or talk on their cell phones while riding. Yep, I acutally saw someone doing this!

6) Parents who don't watch their kids and don't teach them trail etiquette. I always slow down and keep very aware when I see family with small kids. I just don't know what the kids will do. Yesterday, there was a family in the oncoming lane where I was riding letting their son (7 years old?) ride over the center line. I was glad I watching because he was looking off to his left and came directly into my path. Because I was aware, I was able to avoid crashing in to him.

7) Parents who make their children wear helmets but do not wear helmets themselves. What does THAT teach a child? I also think children in Burley trailers should be wearing helmets. What happens if the Burley tips over?

8) And this is my personal preference, but I can't stand to see guys riding with no shirt. Their gross overweight bodies just do not impress me.

These are things I have become VERY aware of and/or experienced since my horrible crash last April. I am sure there are more but I can't think of them right now.