What ever happened to "on your left"

[Tri Girl]

This may be an unpopular opinion here, but I don't feel that hard core cyclists/triathletes belong on MUT at peak recreational hours.

I totally agree!!!
Often after work is the only time I can ride and the lake and the MUT is the best option, with riding on roads being too dangerous at rush hour time. Sometimes it's my only option and I'll usually try to avoid the most heavily trafficked part of the trail.
But yeah, in general, fasties should avoid the trails during peak times- for their safety and the safety of others!!!

[pll]

I totally agree!!!
Often after work is the only time I can ride and the lake and the MUT is the best option, with riding on roads being too dangerous at rush hour time. Sometimes it's my only option and I'll usually try to avoid the most heavily trafficked part of the trail.
But yeah, in general, fasties should avoid the trails during peak times- for their safety and the safety of others!!!

+1

This thread reminded me of the pro wannabes in 'Bike the Drive' here in Chicago. In the last one, I was very annoyed (I was not the target) by a trio of Milram-clad beer bellies on expensive bikes yelling "MOVE!!" to anyone and anything in front of them.

I bike for a couple of miles on a bike path and during my last ride, I encountered a group of aggressive guys speeding in the path and yelling at people. I passed them after a couple of them had crashed to avoid another group coming in the opposite direction. Karma?

[Sky King]

So with my increased awareness, Last evening I purposely rode over to our MUP path -known as the greenbelt. I made it about two miles before hopping off and getting back on the street. It was "rush hour" and between other cyclist riding way to fast for the congestion (IMO) and many walkers and families on bikes I was totally stressed out
I found myself not calling out on your left (heeding the advice of many of you) but instead just slowing way down and moving as far left as possible and saying hello or good evening, instead - thus with the congestion most areas I would have been faster as a walker.
So I concur, whenever possible, MUP riding is for laid back noodle riding. If I needed, I would certainly use for a commute ride and just recognize I shouldn't plan on getting anywhere fast and I will certainly not plan a weekend ride at a quick pace. Meanwhile when I do come upon slower walkers or riders out and about I promise to do my best to make myself known.

[emily_in_nc]

So I concur, whenever possible, MUP riding is for laid back noodle riding. If I needed, I would certainly use for a commute ride and just recognize I shouldn't plan on getting anywhere fast and I will certainly not plan a weekend ride at a quick pace. Meanwhile when I do come upon slower walkers or riders out and about I promise to do my best to make myself known.

Yep, we use them only to help us avoid high-speed, highly traffic'd roads; i.e., for short distances between our road segments, not for our entire ride. We just plan on going slower on them and dealing with joggers, dog walkers, etc. Occasionally we can see far ahead that NO one is coming, and we'll cut loose, but normally we just "noodle" along.