"On your left, knucklehead!" (MUP)
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"On your left, knucklehead!" (MUP)
I'll admit I'm a bit of a dick but whether or not I'm a dick for the topic at hand is a matter of discussion.
So this was on a MUP. I'm a big fan of MUPs because we have a 100 mile long trail where I live and I get to do strava segments and avoid cars with great scenery.
I have a personal rule for "On your left." If you're holding your line and single file, I figure that we don't have to yell at each other every time we pass because we understand the rules of the MUP and that people will pass you and you should always be expecting it. If you're doubled/tripled up and either blocking the lane or the passing area is small, or any other dangerous situation, then of course I yell "On your left!"
So there were 2 mountain/urban male riders riding single file and thought, good I don't have to yell this time for my fellow MUP abiders who are so graciously riding single file. Sure enough, 10 feet past them and I hear a "On your left, DICK!" Wow. Seriously?
I get passed all the time by cyclists and I rarely get an "On your left". I figure because I hold my line and stay to one side so they figure they don't have to, which I'm fine with.
One lady walker did even out my day by giving me a huge thumbs up and a "nice light" when I was passing her so that was nice.
So, am I really a dick? Do I really have to yell it at every singe person? Is every other person I pass foaming at the mouth as I pass but just doesn't say anything?
So this was on a MUP. I'm a big fan of MUPs because we have a 100 mile long trail where I live and I get to do strava segments and avoid cars with great scenery.
I have a personal rule for "On your left." If you're holding your line and single file, I figure that we don't have to yell at each other every time we pass because we understand the rules of the MUP and that people will pass you and you should always be expecting it. If you're doubled/tripled up and either blocking the lane or the passing area is small, or any other dangerous situation, then of course I yell "On your left!"
So there were 2 mountain/urban male riders riding single file and thought, good I don't have to yell this time for my fellow MUP abiders who are so graciously riding single file. Sure enough, 10 feet past them and I hear a "On your left, DICK!" Wow. Seriously?
I get passed all the time by cyclists and I rarely get an "On your left". I figure because I hold my line and stay to one side so they figure they don't have to, which I'm fine with.
One lady walker did even out my day by giving me a huge thumbs up and a "nice light" when I was passing her so that was nice.
So, am I really a dick? Do I really have to yell it at every singe person? Is every other person I pass foaming at the mouth as I pass but just doesn't say anything?
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You might be, but not because of this. If you pass with plenty of room there's no beef.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
#6
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Hahaha, cycling is full of behavior police. It's so over-the-top that it's really quite funny, when you think about it.
Don't sweat it.
Don't sweat it.
#7
Our local MUP posts the trail etiquette at parking lots and online:
If your MUP has such a thing, it is appropriate to follow the expected behavior. If not, you are free to do what you find reasonable -- and expect those who have a different view to share their wisdom with you.
Trail etiquette
• Alert others when passing
• Stay to the right unless passing
• Ride or roller blade in single file
• Stop and look both ways at road crossings
• Please don’t litter: bring out what you bring in
• Keep dogs on a leash and pick up waste
• Wear a helmet (state law for bicyclists 16 and under)
• Respect private property along the trail
• Except for personal mobility devices, no unauthorized vehicles allowed on the trail
• Alert others when passing
• Stay to the right unless passing
• Ride or roller blade in single file
• Stop and look both ways at road crossings
• Please don’t litter: bring out what you bring in
• Keep dogs on a leash and pick up waste
• Wear a helmet (state law for bicyclists 16 and under)
• Respect private property along the trail
• Except for personal mobility devices, no unauthorized vehicles allowed on the trail
#10
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There is a 96 mile long paved trail from suburban Atlanta to Anniston, Alabama.
-Tim-
Silver Comet Trail Map | Silver Comet Trail Map
https://www.bikeforums.net/southeast/...il-photos.html
Closer to Atlanta where it is more crowded one would have to say "on your left" literally hundreds of times on a single ride. It just doesn't work and is one of the reasons why I don't ride it closer to the City. https://www.bikeforums.net/southeast/...il-photos.html
-Tim-
Last edited by TimothyH; 10-09-16 at 06:25 PM.
#11
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I use a bell when riding on the MUPs and usually ring it when passing, but not always. However, I wouldn't consider your behavior dickish as long as you passed with plenty of room.
#12
The Left Coast, USA
I'll admit I'm a bit of a dick but whether or not I'm a dick for the topic at hand is a matter of discussion.
So this was on a MUP. I'm a big fan of MUPs because we have a 100 mile long trail where I live and I get to do strava segments and avoid cars with great scenery.
I have a personal rule for "On your left." If you're holding your line and single file, I figure that we don't have to yell at each other every time we pass because we understand the rules of the MUP and that people will pass you and you should always be expecting it. If you're doubled/tripled up and either blocking the lane or the passing area is small, or any other dangerous situation, then of course I yell "On your left!"
So there were 2 mountain/urban male riders riding single file and thought, good I don't have to yell this time for my fellow MUP abiders who are so graciously riding single file. Sure enough, 10 feet past them and I hear a "On your left, DICK!" Wow. Seriously?
I get passed all the time by cyclists and I rarely get an "On your left". I figure because I hold my line and stay to one side so they figure they don't have to, which I'm fine with.
One lady walker did even out my day by giving me a huge thumbs up and a "nice light" when I was passing her so that was nice.
So, am I really a dick? Do I really have to yell it at every singe person? Is every other person I pass foaming at the mouth as I pass but just doesn't say anything?
So this was on a MUP. I'm a big fan of MUPs because we have a 100 mile long trail where I live and I get to do strava segments and avoid cars with great scenery.
I have a personal rule for "On your left." If you're holding your line and single file, I figure that we don't have to yell at each other every time we pass because we understand the rules of the MUP and that people will pass you and you should always be expecting it. If you're doubled/tripled up and either blocking the lane or the passing area is small, or any other dangerous situation, then of course I yell "On your left!"
So there were 2 mountain/urban male riders riding single file and thought, good I don't have to yell this time for my fellow MUP abiders who are so graciously riding single file. Sure enough, 10 feet past them and I hear a "On your left, DICK!" Wow. Seriously?
I get passed all the time by cyclists and I rarely get an "On your left". I figure because I hold my line and stay to one side so they figure they don't have to, which I'm fine with.
One lady walker did even out my day by giving me a huge thumbs up and a "nice light" when I was passing her so that was nice.
So, am I really a dick? Do I really have to yell it at every singe person? Is every other person I pass foaming at the mouth as I pass but just doesn't say anything?
#13
Senior Member
Nah you aren't a dick but maybe just a little insensitive. Calling you a dick was a little over reactive on their part. Clear your throat, cough or just say "left" as you come up and you should be covered without all of the extra words.
#17
On Your Left
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Move on... it won't be the last time you're called a dick.
BTW, the MUP near me has a 15mph speed limit. So I avoid it when I know there will be traffic.
Also i've come to realize that I need to be 100% responsible for kids, dogs, geese and others riding casually. If I see a kid/dog, i call out and ASSume that they will go in front of me. So I SLOW DOWN and make sure everyone is safe.
The "M" in MUP means multi. There will be walkers, roller skaters, skateboarders, dog, tricycle and moms with strollers. If you're doing 15mph, or faster, you have take responsibility that no one gets hurt.
BTW, the MUP near me has a 15mph speed limit. So I avoid it when I know there will be traffic.
Also i've come to realize that I need to be 100% responsible for kids, dogs, geese and others riding casually. If I see a kid/dog, i call out and ASSume that they will go in front of me. So I SLOW DOWN and make sure everyone is safe.
The "M" in MUP means multi. There will be walkers, roller skaters, skateboarders, dog, tricycle and moms with strollers. If you're doing 15mph, or faster, you have take responsibility that no one gets hurt.
#18
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Giving them the benefit of the doubt, I suspect that people like that are acting out from their feelings of inadequacy. It's bad enough that you pass them at all, but worse when you don't "respect" them enough to acknowledge them on the way by.
You weren't the dick in this situation.
You weren't the dick in this situation.
#19
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Move on... it won't be the last time you're called a dick.
BTW, the MUP near me has a 15mph speed limit. So I avoid it when I know there will be traffic.
Also i've come to realize that I need to be 100% responsible for kids, dogs, geese and others riding casually. If I see a kid/dog, i call out and ASSume that they will go in front of me. So I SLOW DOWN and make sure everyone is safe.
The "M" in MUP means multi. There will be walkers, roller skaters, skateboarders, dog, tricycle and moms with strollers. If you're doing 15mph, or faster, you have take responsibility that no one gets hurt.
BTW, the MUP near me has a 15mph speed limit. So I avoid it when I know there will be traffic.
Also i've come to realize that I need to be 100% responsible for kids, dogs, geese and others riding casually. If I see a kid/dog, i call out and ASSume that they will go in front of me. So I SLOW DOWN and make sure everyone is safe.
The "M" in MUP means multi. There will be walkers, roller skaters, skateboarders, dog, tricycle and moms with strollers. If you're doing 15mph, or faster, you have take responsibility that no one gets hurt.
Couple co-irkers I on occasion have to deal with have 49cc assisted-bikes (I call them mopeds)...and are proud of their antics rodding down the MUP that says "NO MOTORIZED VEHICLES". The detail of the law of which is anything with an engine smaller than 50cc is not "motorized".
I typically don't bother with "on your left" because honestly almost no one ever hears it. 80% of the time their earbuds are cranked so loud I can hear them 20ft+ away. 15% of the time calling "on your left" causes the intended target to leap to their left into oncoming traffic. IOW 95% of the time "on your left" produces an undesired result....Because humans are just short of being too self absorbed or stupid to get food into their mouth.
#20
Hard to say. Mostly depends on how close you were, but your relative speed compared to those you passed and other traffic could make a difference, too. If your relative speed was low, "good morning, how you doin'?" might have been more appropriate. If high, then maybe you should have just yelled "Strava!" Sounds like they were "serious" cyclists, so I'm sure they would have understood.
But seriously, if they were well to the right and you passed them on the left half of the path - i.e., in the oncoming traffic lane - with much more than an arms length between you, it wouldn't have been appropriate to say anything - you wouldn't want them to skooch over needlessly if there was plenty of room. On the other hand, if you were both to the right of the centerline (painted or imaginary), then yes, you should have said something. Like, if you're on a normal road, say, you probably don't need to say "on your left" to folks riding on the shoulder if you're taking the middle of the traffic lane to pass them, but you definitely should alert them if you pass them while staying on the shoulder or on the line yourself.
By the way, I was taught to say "passing!" A person's ears are extremely accurate judges of which way something is coming from - telling a person "right" or "left" can only confuse them.
But seriously, if they were well to the right and you passed them on the left half of the path - i.e., in the oncoming traffic lane - with much more than an arms length between you, it wouldn't have been appropriate to say anything - you wouldn't want them to skooch over needlessly if there was plenty of room. On the other hand, if you were both to the right of the centerline (painted or imaginary), then yes, you should have said something. Like, if you're on a normal road, say, you probably don't need to say "on your left" to folks riding on the shoulder if you're taking the middle of the traffic lane to pass them, but you definitely should alert them if you pass them while staying on the shoulder or on the line yourself.
By the way, I was taught to say "passing!" A person's ears are extremely accurate judges of which way something is coming from - telling a person "right" or "left" can only confuse them.
#22
Banned.
I never say on your left, I just pass. But, I smoke them so hard they don't have the time to say shyte to me. Upgrade your tires and gruppo newbie..
#23
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No problem ... next time you pass that guy do as he asks and shout out, "On your left, Dick!"
#24
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So many really good answers here I can't even respond to them all so thanks. Some really funny ones too.
But no our MUP doesn't have a speed limit and I've also seen a Vespa using it as his personal 'suburb expressway' with his groceries once. Not cool!
But no our MUP doesn't have a speed limit and I've also seen a Vespa using it as his personal 'suburb expressway' with his groceries once. Not cool!