20 great miles and jerks on bicycles

I’ve ridden several times this week but haven’t since, I believe, Thursday and that wasn’t a great ride. It was kind of a downer week at work and just haven’t felt great all week. It rained all day yesterday so if I was going to get a ride in this weekend it had to be today.

I arrived down at White Rock Lake at about 8:30 and it was beautiful. What clouds there were were starting to dissipate and it was a nice 55F. Just cool enough for a long sleeve jersey. That was good because my long sleeve jersey is the only one I have that fits well.

: Image via Wikipedia

I headed out and within about a half-mile I started to see some orange cones on the trail and lots of people. Looks like there was another race today. Turns out it was the 13th Annual North Trail Half Marathon. It looks like they didn’t mind the cyclists riding on the trail so I kept going. A little while later it got kind of crowded and I almost turned around to head back to the car. Instead I moved over to a service road to get around the crowd and that solved the problem. There were other areas that it got crowded as well so I patiently waited until I had an opportunity to pass.

Now it’s time for a rant. There were several cyclists who were not near as patient as me and used the runners as their personal obstacle course. There was one cyclist in particular who pulled a very, very dangerous move one a narrow downhill section. I knew he was behind me but I guess he got tired of waiting and decided to pass. In this particular section, there were runners and walkers on both sides of the trail. The jerk in question decided to make a high-speed pass around me, go between two pairs of runners and came very close to taking out an elderly gentleman and his wife who were out for a nice morning walk going in the opposite direction. I saw the faces of the elderly couple as he went by and he really scared them. I was so ticked off.

Unfortunately, events like that take place quite a bit out at White Rock Lake. It’s a multi-use trail that’s utilized by runners, walkers, cyclists, and roller bladers. The cyclists are always the fastest people on the trail so you end up passing a lot of people. Very few cyclists though have the common courtesy to let you know they’re passing you. They’ll simply blow by you, sometimes coming very close, and don’t say a word. It’s so easy to say “on your left” to let the person know that you’re passing. No wonder cyclists get a bad reputation sometimes.

http://www.wirewd.com/bike/ wirehead

See, there was one memorable incident where I freaked out a walker. But it was their own damn fault. I rang my bell a few times as I approached. They were in the middle of the path, but they weren't veering off to one side or the other, so I just passed by them, assuming they were well aware I was on the way by.

I guess they hadn't heard me after all because one of them shrieked as I passed.

It sucks because I'm trying my hardest to put the best face for cycling forwards. I end up being more patient and giving people more room than is strictly required just because I'm compensating for all of the jackasses out there.

http://bikingtolive.com Bryan

For the first time yesterday I actually heard somebody with a bell.

I've never had any problems with walkers getting freaked out. I think most of them are used to having cyclists out on the trail with them. The guy yesterday though was just being dangerous.

http://www.331miles.blogspot.com 331miles

Every time I ride my unicycle on the paths I end up accidentally running into someone. And they always blame me! Unicyclists have rights too!

Just kidding. Sorry you ran into some folks using a hike and bike trail as their personal velodrome.

http://bikingtolive.com Bryan

A unicycle? You sure you're recovered from your 67 mile ride? LOL!

You see quite a few cyclists, especially some groups, thinking that the trail is their personal velodrome. There's plenty of room on the trail for everyone but when you have organized races going on like yesterday the cyclists need to respect the space of the runners.

In hindsight, I probably should have stopped riding when I saw the race going on.

http://mildstallion.wordpress.com Al

There is a rail trail nearby that I like because it's a pan-flat out and back 4 miles that makes for a great TT-style workout. However, I avoid it if there are more than a couple cars at the trailhead.

I feel that it both takes away from my enjoyment of the ride and the pedestrians enjoyment of the trail for me to be whizzing by.

Also, it seems that no matter how early or how loudly I say "On your left!", they are always a bit startled and don't know which way to go until it's almost too late.

http://www.wirewd.com/bike/ wirehead

See, that's kinda why I like having the bell. "On your left" requires a person to think about what I just said. A bell is more immediate and unambiguous.

Of course, one of the horns like on a kid's bike would be better. Can't have everything, tho….
http://bikingtolive.com Bryan

Probably the only reason I ride at the lake trail is because it's convenient. If I could leave from the place I'm living at and get a good ride in I would but I can't. I do believe, though, that for weekend rides I need to find a rural area to ride in.