mattgmann

Arrrghhhh. I know there's already a similar thread about crowded MUPs now that spring is here, but there's one dude in particular that bothers me. He bought a fancy racing bike, a jersey covered in "sponsor" logos, has a bad attitude and a complete disregard for everybody else using the MUP.

Who the hell thinks it's a good idea to use the MUP as a "training course" during rush hour on a beautiful spring day? More idiots than you think. Every day like today on my ride home I see at least a dozen of these guys. Riding WAY too fast through foot traffic, joggers, commuters etc, shouting and giving attitude to everyone they pass. If you're really into riding fast, get on a ****ing ROAD! Or, maybe do what a smart athlete would do and get up ass-crack early and ride on an empty trail.

I do love the occasion when I see the look of disappointment on their faces when, after they've passed me at warp 6 I toddle by them on the next hill, sitting upright on my mtb turned commuter, flannel shirt and saddle bags flapping in the wind.

Today I bailed on the MUP after a few miles and chose surface streets. I probably will continue to do this in the evenings while the weather is nice. While biking I'm generally as happy and friendly as it gets, but the day I see one of these ******-bags cause an accident, they may get some extra damage from me.

jyl

They are *******. Real racers don't train on MUPs.

tsl

They're called "pathletes" and are held in general contempt everywhere

DrakeSuperbus

I have a choice between a MUP and a surface road for part of my commute. I choose the street because cars are easier to deal with and more predictable than the pathletes, dog walkers, skateboarders, and joggers/cruisers poking along three abreast and swerving around.

DX-MAN

Five words: frame pump in the spokes.

gerv 

A lot of it is inexperience. Many of them just got their brand new rigs and are trying to test it out now that the weather is suddenly better. Even the experienced ones have been house-bound until now.

Nonetheless, I've had a couple of close encounters and, regardless of their motivation, a direct hit would really hurt.

treadtread

I hadn't heard that before, and it fits! I walk about a mile on the MUP on my way to work nowadays, and am mostly passed by regular commuters who are good at indicating that they are passing. There is one guy though, non-commuter, who doesn't seem to understand right of way or MUP rules - almost knocked me down when I was crossing at a place where two paths intersect.

CB HI

So these guys you are so angree at, have not actually caused a collision?

Can't say the same for the peds and dog walkers.

Why do you guys call it a MUP if so many of you do not want other types of users to enjoy it in their own right?

Stryver

Really? The OP seemed to indicate a category of users that were infringing on others rights.


Anyways... When daylight savings hit and my evening commute had light again, my way home repopulated with other users. One particularly crowded chunk I found an alternate route for. I ride the MUP in the morning, and I skip a few miles of it in the evening. All the pedestrian users interface moderately well when it gets crowded, but I don't. It's no fun for me or them.

treadtread

MUPs have rules. On my MUP, no dogs without leashes, no cyclists beyond 15 mph. Pedestrians have right of way. If an athlete trains at 15mph and gives right of way to pedestrians, I have no problems with him staying on the MUP.

CB HI

Bet the Lances in the OP were only going 15 mph, yet we still get the rant.

mattgmann

Yeah, you're right. Your level of condescension is completely appropriate. I, being an internet message board participant must obviously have no bearing on what acceptable social behavior is. You are completely right to call out my judgement without provocation and assume that I'm in the wrong. Is this what you want to hear CB? That I don't know what 15mph is? That I am the dude who always thinks he's in the right because he can't see beyond his own situation?

How ****ing narcissistic can you be man? Discussion is great. Arguments are good too. Being a contradictory asshat is just a poor way to participate in a communal discussion.

Feel free to flame on; this thread is dead to me.

the sci guy 

i'm still trying to figure out what MUP stands for.

bunkiefd4

I think it means Multiple Use Passage.

David Bierbaum

Multi User Path, I think? Maybe? Really, most of the fun for me on the MUP is meeting interesting people. And pets. On quiet days, I enjoy the scenery. I am a very patient person, and will happily pedal along at a comfortable walking pace, rather than interupt the conversation of two walkers in front of me. MUPs are not for the hurried of spirit, nor is it a good place to express the Roar Of One's Soul!

terrapin44

On nice days in the evening, I avoid the MUP. There was a bike/pedestrian collision last year and supposeeldy they change the rules to 10mph. There was a lot of complaining so I'm not sure it went through. 15 would be more reasonable. Regardless, after work, there are a lot of people who don't know or choose not to follow the rules. Some of them are pathletes. Some just thing they are privileged. Some are just clueless. The road is safer. That said, in the morning it is a good ride. There are still people using the MUP, but they seem to be more likely to follow the rules and be predictable. There are also less of them.

Astrozombie

Represent for the Fred's! ^^^^ Multi-use path

CenturionIM

We have a lot of bikers flying down lakefront trail in Chicago. They don't really slow down for kids or runners or whatever. not very safe, but seems to work a-okay.

ThermionicScott 

I understand it -- it's a lot easier to feel like you're hot stuff where you can pass everyone, than to be where the others (cars, motorcycles, buses) can always pass you.

CB HI

You start the thread with this and then call me condescending.
Who really is the "****ing narcissistic" here?

You said they were going warp 6, so it seems you do not know what 15 mph is.

zonatandem

I ride a MUP once a year to remind me to stay off of 'em !
Road/highway traffic is more predictable and s-a-f-e-r!.

antmuzic

Yes, Lakefront Lance is out in force now that the weather turns. I enjoy the South Side of that trail much more than the North.

But like you say, even though some of us find him annoying, I don't hear much about Lakefront Lance causing any injuries.

SeanBlader

https://www.acronymfinder.com/MUP.html

When I have an acronym doubt, I always look that up and then use the funniest one in the top 5. None are too funny, so I'll go with #1, Manchester University Press, wonder if they have anything to do with that football team that's been in the news.

Back on topic though, I feel for you, usually people are pretty good about speed and passing here, but is it okay to go speeding on the path if you give non-fast users a safe/wide berth? I tend to like going fast, and am still scared of 2 ton killing machines on the crappily surfaced streets, so I commute on the path and if I have the energy I'll go faster than 15mph, but only when I'm not passing someone taking up a big percentage of the surface. If they take up more space, then I'll slow down to a more reasonable rate of passing. Is that okay?

Simpletommy

I'm with you on this. But otherwise, welcome to the world of the internet troll...it appears that they might even live in sunny tropical places and *should* have better things to do with their time...should....

billyymc

terrapin - I'm pretty sure we're in the same area, so it should be noted that the MUP you're talking about is only a couple miles long as compared to MUPs in some areas with better recreational infrastructure where the MUPs go for tens of miles.That 2.5 miles of MUP gets extremely heavy use at peak times.

I believe the 10mph speed limit did pass - I only ride down it on occassion, and stick to around 10/15mph. Most walkers don't know the difference between 5 or 10 or 15 mph anyway.

If I'm over there and want to ride faster, OVR is a much better option.