Tailgated by other cyclist!!

[Jenn]

You were doing 22 mph on a MUT?? Don't those things generally have a 15 mph speed limit? Most do around here. Going that fast on a trail is inherently dangerous. At that speed, you ARE safer on the road.
At most speeds, I think an experienced cyclist such as yourself is safer on the road, especially at this time of year when paths are crowded with kids, dogs, runners, in-line skaters, and folks who have no clue what they're doing on a bike. Oy. I shiver just thinking about it.

There were people passing us going ALOT faster, and there is no speed limit posted at all. Most people around here know that alot of people go down there to ride since it's the only FLAT place around here, that is why MOST people stay on the dirt path next to the paved path. We weren't going that fast when people were around, give me some credit, our average was 17 anyway. The POINT of my post was regarding the people that were MORE of a hazard by not looking and just pulling out in front of people on the path, then getting mad when they were passed and trying to hit ME! If you all honestly think that my husband and I are that ignorant and rude, I'm very offended.
Bye ya'll it's been real. I hope you all can keep new people coming on this board from feeling attacked or insulted, it's not worth it anymore.

[alpinerabbit]

Hi Jenn,

I have seen insults on internet forums and this was not an insult. Perhaps it is felt that giving a different perspective is not appropriate for someone who was not there but we are free to express a different viewpoint here, aren't we?

Kindest regards

Alpinerabbit

[LadyinWhite]

There is a fantastic paved bike path right near me, it runs straight out a point w/ gorgeous views of the ocean on both sides. It was created (as I understand it) to keep the cyclists off the road that travels this point. It's become a MUT - I won't go near it in the summer time. The road has no shoulder and is 50mph speed but I'll ride that before I'll ride the MUT unless I'm super organized and get up and out by 6am.

This is exactly why - way too dangerous for me (and everyone else) for me to be humming along dodging cycling and pedestrian obstacles and its so flat that speed is just too inviting.

[bmccasland]

Now that it's gotten warm and muggy - we get to watch for ....

Alligators!

Nothing quite like seeing an alligator sunning itself on the path. Now there's a road hazard to avoid at all costs

[Gowest]

I had a pack of dogs (five) on Saturday and then two snakes - both dead - on a 50 mile ride!!!! Love the photo Zen - one was black and the other for me was a copperhead!!!! Off topic - but as a kid I used to torment my mom and trick her into looking at pictures of snakes - she hates them!!!
Debi

[smilingcat]

just goes to show that just cause people are riding bikes or even fully decked out (posers) on a bike doesn't mean that they understand the etiquette of riding.

Watch the riding form and you can tell a lot about a rider. We have beach cruisers, dudes on a bike looking for a babe and do really stupid things to get girls' attention and girls with very few sq inches of fabric riding on bike looking for a dude ... to you name it. So best to figure them out before you get too close. And the best way is by looking at their riding style. inexperienced riders don't have a very good form and tend to weave so I give myself extra room when I get close.

And fact of life, some guys just absolutely hate it when a girl passes by them and will just about do anything to pass you and including being hazard to you.

sorry to hear about running an obstacle course.

[Jenn]

just goes to show that just cause people are riding bikes or even fully decked out (posers) on a bike doesn't mean that they understand the etiquette of riding.

Watch the riding form and you can tell a lot about a rider. We have beach cruisers, dudes on a bike looking for a babe and do really stupid things to get girls' attention and girls with very few sq inches of fabric riding on bike looking for a dude ... to you name it. So best to figure them out before you get too close. And the best way is by looking at their riding style. inexperienced riders don't have a very good form and tend to weave so I give myself extra room when I get close.

And fact of life, some guys just absolutely hate it when a girl passes by them and will just about do anything to pass you and including being hazard to you.

sorry to hear about running an obstacle course.

Thank you for responding to the main POINT in my post. We were by no means hot doggin' or flying around people or going fast near ANYONE. When it was open yea, we'd GO...but slow down coming up on traffic. I was talking about that guy that almost ran ME off the path, which by the way, smelled of alcohol when we passed, so I'm sure that had alot to do with it!!

[Lise]

We have a beautiful MUT called the Lakefront Path here in town. The north branch of it is so congested that it's miserable to ride on the weekends or weekday evenings.

BF and I rode part of it Sat. Coming around a curve, a bunch of teens were hanging out, meandering, and taking up the entire path. I rang my little bell several times, I slowed down to a crawl, I called out "Watch out! Watch out!" No movement from any of them. Went around them on the grass, muttering, "Sheesh!" Then they acknowledged my presence by yelling at me, "You could at least say 'excuse me'!" Large sigh. Actually, I wanted to go back and....well. Ahem. I didn't. BF said, "honey, they didn't know you were there." Really? OK. Maybe. But I think I just need to stay off that part of the path. It makes me too mad.

And don't even let me get started about rollerbladers talking on the phone!

I am happy to say that the south branch of the path is lovely, and wide, and seldom congested. That's a place to really fly. If I'm doing a long ride, I'll usually take city streets for 7 miles to get to the south branch, and then get in the aerobars and go fast.

[lph]

Now that it's gotten warm and muggy - we get to watch for ....

Alligators!

Nothing quite like seeing an alligator sunning itself on the path. Now there's a road hazard to avoid at all costs

You're not kidding, are you.

And might I add:

[missymaya]

bmccasland, I've seen those sights before, especially the big boys that take up most of the path. Those gators can get pretty nasty this time of year, so please be careful. There's 2 that hang out on the econ (big stream) that runs next to the path and in the afternoon they just sit there sunbathing. The boy is just huge, probably 8ft and the lady is a tad smaller. I leave them be and they leave me alone to, but I've seen some dumb guys try to walk up to them and mess with them. Yeah, culling of the herd if I've ever seen it.
I also get to see rabits, raccoons, tons of snakes, soft shells turtles going to the water and my favorites, the gopher tortoises. They may be tortoises, but they can move when they need to . Sometimes, I just stop to look at these creatures, just too cool.

[lph]

I'm guessing MUTs are what are called "bike and pedestrian paths" in Norway, which means cyclists are expected to use them instead of the road, and are also expected to share them with Grandma in a wheelchair, your neighbour walking 5 dogs, and gaggles of oblivious teenage girls... *sigh*

Now kids, dogs and elderly people - I give them lots of slack. They either don't know any better, or grew up in a time when things just went slower.
And no, I don't use these trails for any serious training. (Well, I don't actually DO any serious training )

But I really really wish sometimes that we could have a set of "smart pedestrian"-rules, to go with the "friendly cyclist rules", like: Remember there are people out here trying to get from A to B. Try to stay somewhat to one side. Glance behind you before you cross the path. And please don't walk your dog on one side of the path, if you're going to be on the other side... It seems some people feel that paths like these are like strolling around inside a mall and seem shocked at somebody passing them at anything over stroll speed. Since I started biking regularly I'm never startled by other cyclists when I'm on foot. It just depends on what you expect.

But of course what we REALLY want are dedicated bike paths, right?

[Lise]

But of course what we REALLY want are dedicated bike paths, right?

Yes, Yes, YES!

[cosc]

One memorable ride I was just about home at dusk and ran over a rattlesnake. I was about over it before I saw it on the dirt-gravel road. The snake was still there in the road curled and hissing when my FIL came to kill it with a hoe.

[Zen]

One memorable ride I was just about home at dusk and ran over a rattlesnake. I was about over it before I saw it on the dirt-gravel road. The snake was still there in the road curled and hissing when my FIL came to kill it with a hoe.

Why?
I wasn't a threat to anyone

[Python]

One memorable ride I was just about home at dusk and ran over a rattlesnake. I was about over it before I saw it on the dirt-gravel road. The snake was still there in the road curled and hissing when my FIL came to kill it with a hoe.

Poor snake I like Rattlesnakes. They're lovely animals who at least give you warning to back away from them. One of our reptile shops here has a Venomous section. They have a Diamond Back Rattlesnake in there. He's a big lad but seldom rattles his tail as he's used to people. They also have several Cobras, Black Mambas, Green Mambas, a Gaboon Viper a Puff Adder...and an 8 inch long venomous centipede. I love the snakes but not so keen on the centipede. I've been very lucky in being able to see the snakes close up and being only 12 inches from a Cobra even though he's in his viv and behind glass is quite awesome.

Here he is in a very striking pose