rydabent

We have seen several threads and comments about how bad MUPs are. How about one on the positive things.

First on MUPs you probably will not encounter high speed autos. Often they are quite scenic and often tree covered. You get to see many interesting people, bikes, and dogs. Now and then you will see an old couple walking hand in hand supporting each other. After all they are multi use, so you probably will encounter many sights. Relax and enjoy your ride.

Ross520

I have actually found myself doing just that lately.

I find it's especially nice when I want to ride with a budy. We can ride two-a-breast and chat without worry of getting honked at/harrrassed or hit. Also nice to be able to hear what your friend is saying without having to yell over traffic.

People can get pretty annoying sometimes, but that can happen on the road too.

I also find myself using the MUP to finish rides started on the road. When I'm completely exhausted and not thinking clearly, I feel much safer on the path. I made a really dumb decision a bit ago when severely-drained on the road and could have very-well been hit.

shelbyfv

Do you have a calendar app that reminds you when it's time to re-post this? It could use a tweak....

rydabent

Thumpers mother said if you cant say a something nice dont say any thing at all.

Steve B.

I’ve seen statistics where you are far more likely to have an accident on a MUP than on the road, but more likely to get killed on the road.

I like MUP’s

When they are empty of newbie cyclists as we see in vast numbers currently, when they are also free of runners wearing headphones and paying zero attention to their surroundings, multiple Mom’s with friends walking multiple baby carriages 2-3 abreast, or dog walkers with the retractable 20 ft. leash with dog fully extended chasing a duck.

Sometime in late Sept. or October in these annoyances go away.

Dave Mayer

MUP riding is the most stressful thing that I do. Cyclists and peds in general are more oblivious, careless and unpredictable than drivers. We have a great path system here, but on weekends it is a minefield of hyperactive small dogs on long leashes, large free-range dogs, kids on bikes and scooters, self-absorbed peds who will turn or stop on a dime as if for hallucinations, groups completely corking the path and gesticulating to each other (a.k.a: the Coffee Clatch), etc.

Most solo adults are listening to earbuds, and even if you call out your intent ("passing on the left!"), most cannot hear you, and if they can, more than 50% will then respond by jumping to their left.

The last 2 months has been particularly scary with a bunch of new inexperienced cyclists out. Fortunately there has also been a marked reduction in road traffic, but that is coming back. I figure as things get back to 'normal', bike traffic will dramatically drop-off, with adults and teens settling back to hanging out in the bars and malls, and kids reverting back to playing ultra-violent video games. Should be a lot of used bikes for sale. Right now you cannot buy any bike for less than a Grand; shops are cleaned out.

GeneO 

Get a light and do it at night

wolfchild

Subscribed...

Miele Man

Before I gave up riding on rail-trails aka MUPs around here, my buddy and I when riding abreast of each other had many close calls with racing bicyclists who tried to either blast through between us, or pass dangerously close. That's not to mention the idiot e-bike e-scooter riders who haven't a lick of sense and will also try to pass way to close. Add to that blind curves, or blind corners and a wannabe racer or high-speed e-biker coming from the other direction; plus dog walkers with dogs on long thin extended retractable leashes that let the dog go into the brush on the side opposite the walker and you are likely to be clotheslined; well those paths just aren't safe. YMMV and good luck to you if it does.

Cheers

bruce19

I don't have problems with the rail/trails or the road. I must be weird.

MNebiker

I have a simple philosophy about the trails: If you ride them, deal with the issues. If you can't deal, shut up and ride somewhere else.

But I really do like the weekly/monthly rants by the trail haters. They are more fun to read than the Sunday comic page.

freeranger

Was at the local MUP today-but not on the paved path-was back in the woods on the mtn.bike/hiking trails. Other riders as well as hikers were very courteous. When i have ridden the paved paths, haven't had any problem there either. Miss the many rail trails I used to ride when lived in the Md/Pa area. Wouldn't ride them during "peak" periods (weekends or after work hours), so missed a lot of the "pia stuff" that gets mentioned.

Tacoenthusiast

Thanks! I sometimes forget to enjoy the mup

It's a great place to walk my dog on the extend o leash while I listen to my headphones!
The other day I saw a hobo going #2 on the mup! He was enjoying it in his own way

hillyman

We are considered the intrusion either place unfortunately. Too slow for the road, too fast for the MUP. Cycling is the perfect realization we are all just guests on this planet. Behave accordingly.

05 fuji

There are 3 MUP's within 30 minutes of home. All of them are great and have nice people walking, jogging, riding and co-existing without any issues worth complaining about. Everyone seems to respect each others space and preference for their use of it. Much more safer than the open road in my experiences.

indyfabz

You should follow her advice.

indyfabz

Not every trail is alike. I’ve ridden trails in various parts of the country and in foreign countries with few or no other users at the time. I’ve also to pull off trails into the grass to avoid collisions with inconsiderate users. You wouldn’t have a problem with the latter? If not, then yes; you must be weird.

As for roads, I’m willing to bet that if you are ever hit by a car despite riding safely and legally you’ll have a problem with it, and it won’t be weird.

BobbyG

It really depends on how busy the MUP is. When empty they are fantastic! When busy, I hit the streets. And then I suppose it matters how busy the streets are.

GlennR

One of my favorite spots.

scott967

I guess I'm lucky, there is just one MUP in my area which is a converted rail ROW (not particularly scenic) and when I am on it (weekday afternoons) very few, often no one else on it. It has a few strava segments, and there's no reason not to challenge them. The MUP parallels the main drag, and in the afternoon rush riding the hwy pretty much sucks as there isn't enough room to filter up the right and there's many lights so once past the light traffic tries to gun it just to get stuck at the next light.

A couple years ago there was a problem of homeless bums living along the MUP and blocking it with their shopping carts and other crap, but finally the city moved them out. (The problem was the land on one side of the MUP was owned by US Navy and the bums found that if they stayed on the navy side the city couldn't touch them, but eventually the city and navy got an agreement that the city could clear them out.)

scott s.
.

Nyah

Usually I only use the local MUP if it's helpful to get somewhere. Today though, I planned a route that included the MUP but then took a detour after I got there, when I saw a couple people on it. It's just not worth the bother to me if I can take a different route. The one I've been referring to is probably only 12 feet wide so, too much "On your left!" required to use it.

spelger

A bit seaweed laden but that is really nice. Here in Nevada picture something similar only take out the trees, take out the seaweed, take out the water, take out the shade, add some sand, some sagebrush, some rocks, more sagebrush...

CAT7RDR

MUPS in SoCal are more like cycling freeways and have the typical congestion near the beaches. Most of my MUP riding these days is to use it to get to the foothills/canyons. Less of everything makes for a happy MUPSTER.

Ross520

Joggers SHOULD run the opposite direction, it's safer for both parties that way. Never had any issues with salmoning walkers/joggers. On our path the ones who do that give way and you don't even have to call a pass or go into the oncoming lane.

Ilbiker

This is my MUP. Share it with mostly big green steel animals. Sometimes with as many as eight wheels. Other than that, it’s just the occasional roadkill and maybe a car. All depends how far in the sticks I go.