pillows_

Every so often I'll ride past a couple guys, or girls, riding 18-20+ mph side by side on a bike path with oncoming traffic coming right for them. Im pretty comfortable on my bike, but I can imagine some newer or more elderly riders getting nervous in a situation like this trying to squeeze all 3 riders in. Just today I had two guys with the full kit on, going 15-20mph coming right at me (going about the same speed) and didnt bother to go single file or at least squeeze together until they were just 50 feet in front of me. TBH it pisses me off. Is it that much of an inconvenience for one rider to fall back and go single file for 10 seconds, or am I just the nicest guy on the planet for wanting to make my fellow riders to be as comfortable as possible?

livedarklions

I've been known to yell "get out of my lane" at such people. I don't mind if they've squeezed, but if they're forcing me to the margins of the path, I am really mad and going to play chicken with the misplaced moron.

Maelochs

so ... they went single file plenty of distance ahead of you .... and you are pissed at them anyway ... because you are such a nice guy?


Sometimes the nicest thing you can do for yourself and others is not to get pissed off when you have the option.

Trust me, it works ... I did it once.

Brofessor

I don't have a problem of people riding side by side as long as they can squeeze in their lane. It is just plain disrespectful to encroach into the other lane unless you are passing.

pillows_

They did not go single file.

Plenty of distance? 30-40mph of combined speed. Lets say its 30mph. It only takes 4-5 seconds to travel 200 feet. Why wait until the very last second to squeeze together when they see me coming from over a quarter mile away?

pillows_

This is exactly what happened today. Taking up the entire path until the last second

Wind, animals, that black crack sealant that gets mushy when its hot, bike paths with sloped edges. All hazards when you're taking up more than your share of the path

rumrunn6

Wifey & I will do it if no one is in sight. as soon as we see other ppl we got single file. but mostly, we ride single file regardless, it's just easier

caloso

How wide is this bike path?

pillows_

Im not even a big fan of squeezing together. I always drop back and go single file. If you want to do it, thats fine, I have plenty of experience and feel comfortable on my bike, but some people may not be. IMO, the risk/reward just isn't there. Sloped edges and mushy crack sealant can be quite a hassle to deal with sometimes. Is the conversation that important that it can't wait 10 seconds? 99.99% of people are hobby riders getting paid 0 dollars to stay in shape. Don't pretend like you're Lance Armstrong because you have a $5,000 bike and the full kit lol. Every second of your workout doesn't override other peoples safety

Brofessor

It can be frustrating, but look at the bright side: You didn't crash. I was in a worse scenario last weekend. It rained the night before and the paths were covered with wet leaves. A friend of mine and I took off in a segment and separated from the group. In a stretch where we were doing 25 mph, we turned a corner and this family was covering the entire path, cycling in the other direction. This 5-6 year old kid was on our side of the path. I skid my rear wheel and could barely stop before getting on wet grass. That kid might have gotten seriously injured if one of us hit her. Totally irresponsible to let your kid ride on the wrong side of the path. I was ready to hug the bush on the side of road if things went bad. It just happens, gotta be careful out there.

TrojanHorse

#FirstWorldProblems

pillows_

about 5-6 feet. Just enough for a pick up truck/utility vehicle

pillows_

To be clear, this is a very small number of people compared to all the riders I see during my route. Almost everyone else is very nice and accommodating.

I guess my main point is, I dont think its worth it to squeeze together when riding on a fairly narrow bike path, for the reasons I mentioned

rgconner

Then don't do it.

Or, get a gravel bike. Then when you see them coming hit the dirt and kick up a cloud of dust just for them...

passive aggressiveness is the gift of life.

jefnvk

Its a multi use path open to the public. You deal with the public on it, both the wonderful and the asshats. Its part of life.

Occasionally Ill play chicken with folks just to prove a point, but the other 99% of time I deal with it.

chicagogal

Segment? Is this a strava thing? You were chasing a strava record, going 25mph on a path, turning a blind corner, and it was the kid/parent being irresponsible? ....I don't think so. If the kid, or you, got hurt, that would totally have been on you for racing irresponsiblly on a MUP.

TimothyH

What does what they are wearing have to do with anything?


-Tim-

Maelochs

Totally irresponsible to be doing 25 mph on an MUP around a blind corner, on wet pavement, did you say?

Brofessor

No, it wasn't a Strava segment. No, it wasn't a blind corner, we saw the adults on the other side of the path, not the small kid because she was on our side of the path. Even if it was a blind corner, we were riding on OUR side of the road. No, it wasn't a racing situation at all, we were simply going fast to get our workout. And last time I checked, there aren't any speed limits for non-motorized vehicles in IL.
If anyone got hurt, we wouldn't be responsible for anything, except the medical bills for our broken bones.
I think you assumed I was "segment hunting" and immediately put the blame on me. You got some strong preconceptions there.

scott967

So, what constitutes "full kit"? Do you need the socks, gloves, and maybe shoe covers? I need to know as it might change how I respond to OP.

scott s.
.

pillows_

Jersey, spandex, shoes/socks, gloves, helmet, shades, flashy bike

I brought that up because when I see people dressed like that not giving others enough space when passing, I get the impression they feel entitled to more room because they are a more serious rider and their workout is paramount

Wildwood 

jj1091

Strange. The majority of my rides are on a MUP, and every single kitted-up group that comes towards me is riding single-file, and always holler "Rider UP" as they approach from in front, and always hollers "On your LEFT" as they come from behind. I've never found group riders to show anything other than respect to other cyclists. The only instances I've had of other riders "dressed like that" not going to single-file when coming towards me is when it's only two riders, non-club riders by their non-matching kits, never groups of three or more, and it bothers me none at all. I see them, they see me. We nod at each other and ride on. In over 5 years of MUP riding, I've only had one instance of combative behavior by another cyclist.

I'm guessing your feeling about "people dressed like that" has nothing to do with those "dressed like that not giving others enough space when passing".

pillows_

Same here, and thats what happened today. I was biking through the richest county in my state with a lot of nice neighborhoods nearby. Just a couple dudes who think they're more important than others, it seemed. Im not one of those guys that thinks kitted up riders look snobby or anything. I think its practical and looks nice. I'd wear more of that stuff if I did more than commuting and light adventuring.

But anyway, Im over it. I was annoyed for about 30 seconds and got re-annoyed reliving the moment while writing this thread. Just wanted to share my feelings about riding side by side on a somewhat narrow path.

Take care and be safe. Health is wealth

TimothyH

Thanks for clarifying what this whole thing is about.

You have no idea what they feel or what they are thinking.


-Tim-