livedarklions

Anything over say 5 or 6 casual riders, and it's about as fun as passing a kidney stone.

Two people having a screaming argument is also a lot of fun to get stuck behind.

GlennR

Large groups are not fun. you're constantly waiting to regroup at lights and slower riders. 15 is my absolute limit but depending on the group, i'll drop off if its over 10.

----------------------------------------------------

Sunday my wife wanted to take my 2 year old grand daughter on a walk in the preserve. So there were 3 adults and a stroller walking on the MUP. I had to tell my wife and daughter a dozen times not to walk 3 across because they are not giving room for cyclists and runners to pass.

My own family was doing what I hate the most.

If you stop to talk, please step off the path.

Bandera

Path-a-letes, serious stuff there.......

-Bandera

Cyclist0108

Yeah, that is exactly the same kind of thing.

JoeyBike

Remember Critical Mass rides? That certainly endeared all non-cyclists to the "cycling community".

What we all need to remember is that "cyclists" are just PEOPLE. They are nothing special and certainly no better than any other road user as a whole. Cyclists cover every aspect of humanity just like motorists, concert goers, political parties, and any other group you can think of.

Being disappointed in those guys blocking the path shows that some of us have unfounded expectations for our "fellow" cyclists. Always remember...they are NOT like you just because their mode of transport, or their toys, are similar to yours.. Just look at this place and all of the differences between Bike Forum participants. The entire spectrum of personalities are represented.

UniChris

Given that they'd be obviously quite annoyed themselves if they found someone else blocking their way, realizing the reverse hardly qualifies as an "unfounded expectation" - unless you have a very pessimistic view of humanity as an irredeemably selfish animal.

alcjphil

Here is my take: every year our bike club takes on new members. We do our best to teach them how to behave properly while riding with others. One of the hardest things to teach them about is to get out of the way when the group has to stop for whatever reason. Since we usually ride on the road, I usually end up shouting "GET OFF THE ROAD". So, I am not at all surprised that a group of riders block a bike path, they simply have not been properly taught what to do

CliffordK

Sometimes I'll stop on a trail without paying attention to someone coming. But, I'm quick to make space if needed.

Use "Please and Thank You", and hopefully they'll treat you the same. Any cussing on either part is uncalled for.

Joe Bikerider

I meant for standing off the paved trail. I learned last year that the grassy area off the pavement can and does hide hard deep ruts left over from utility trucks driving along when the adobe soil is soaked after a rainstorm. That clay is very soft when wet but hardens up when dry as I learned by riding off the pavement slowly to avoid a toddler who was, well, toddling. Down I went. That was last year, this year I wanted to avoid doing that again.

FiftySix

I've been a victim of ruts myself. Hard to avoid them when grass hides them from view.

Joe Bikerider

Further North on that very same MUP it can get pretty weird. Homeless camps etc. One day as I came along a pair of Meth heads were screaming at each other across the path. I ducked my head and went between them. It was an easy decision to make that ride a large loop instead of coming back the same way.

KraneXL

I love it when people who are wrong and disrespectful to others but want others to be nice to them. Never quite understood that form of logic. Nevertheless, in the big picture, diplomacy is sometimes the least offensive route. Although I wouldn't blame the person making the complaints.

Fahrenheit531 

Whenever I come across one of these threads I'm reminded of two monks crossing a river.

Do whatever you feel you must in the moment but then let it go.
What is gained by carrying it all the way home, then here?

canklecat

Group cyclist behavior is usually a direct reflection of leadership. The groups I ride with, casual and faster, emphasize safety and mutual respect for other users of shared resources, including MUPs and roads. And group behavior reflects that leadership.

But even in these same groups I've noticed significantly different behaviors when the usual ride leaders are absent. You'd think there'd be some residual good behavior, but, nope. Groups of athletes fueled on hormones, dopamine and self importance will quickly devolve into Lord of the Flies misbehavior without firm leadership. Pretty much like any gang. And if the leader is already inclined to behave that way, the regular participants will too.

downhillmaster

You have been involved in some sick group rides lol.
Not just any old misbehavior. Lord of the Flies misbehavior, which centers on rituals and murder.
Wow, your ride leaders have major responsibilities.

canklecat

Nope, I duck out of those group rides as soon as the problems appear. I don't wait for the really bad stuff. If I see too much half-wheeling, wheel overlapping, guys doing wheelies on every residential street speed hump, or darting into intersections without looking or calling back whether it's clear, I'm outta there, along with Ralph and Piggy.

Kovkov

tdf larp :d

Ghazmh

Pedal harder and loudly announce “coming through”

nomadmax 

This thread is why I usually ride bike paths with the Badger

bakerjw

Sounds like riding behind a tandem team having a bad day on the bike...


Hey, it happens.

rm -rf

Yes. All the groups I ride with occasionally block cyclists or cars when they stop, but it's not on purpose. As soon as one of the group calls out "let the car through" or "bikes back!" or "walkers up", they move out of the way.

Phil_gretz

And there you have it. By not stopping, making eye contact, greeting and then discussing the courtesy issue, the OP incited an anonymous reaction from somewhere within the group. By personalizing and engaging an individual who would speak for the group, you'd get a better, more cooperative response. It's unlikely that the group comprises all sociopaths. They're likely husbands, brothers, and sons to someone with whom they've been cooperative before.

Referees and law enforcement folks know this...

Daniel4

See the thread "Cyclists' safety ...on the road" in Advocacy & Safety.

rumrunn6

yeah, nothing needs to be said

Daniel4

Not only clubs do this, recreational cyclists just stop in the middle without pulling over and so do drivers.

How many times have I seen a car pull into a driveway of a parking lot and then just stop? How many times have I seen cars stop in the middle of a parking lot right on front of parking spaces? How many times have I seen cars parked with their harzard lights on at the no parking/ fire zone sign in front of a store blocking the path for all the other motorists when there are parking spaces feet away?