Cycling and hand signals
08-02-21, 02:47 PM
#126
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The thing about where I live is that it's pretty densely populated, and so the MUPs tend to be as well. I have noticed, on that 4-mile MUP I mentioned above, that foot traffic is inversely proportional to the distance from one end of the trail, so that when I DID ride on it, once I got past about 1 mile from the trail head it wasn't too bad. This trail doesn't allow dogs, but on another nearby MUP that does, I noticed that dog poop has a similar distribution pattern - inversely proportional to distance from trailhead.
I imagine an intercity bike trail would be similar, so that once you get out some distance the traffic is lighter and there are a lot fewer pedestrians, which might make it more tolerable, especially if the roads aren't amenable to bikes.
I imagine an intercity bike trail would be similar, so that once you get out some distance the traffic is lighter and there are a lot fewer pedestrians, which might make it more tolerable, especially if the roads aren't amenable to bikes.
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08-02-21, 02:53 PM
#127
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The thing about where I live is that it's pretty densely populated, and so the MUPs tend to be as well. I have noticed, on that 4-mile MUP I mentioned above, that foot traffic is inversely proportional to the distance from one end of the trail, so that when I DID ride on it, once I got past about 1 mile from the trail head it wasn't too bad. This trail doesn't allow dogs, but on another nearby MUP that does, I noticed that dog poop has a similar distribution pattern - inversely proportional to distance from trailhead.
I imagine an intercity bike trail would be similar, so that once you get out some distance the traffic is lighter and there are a lot fewer pedestrians, which might make it more tolerable, especially if the roads aren't amenable to bikes.
I imagine an intercity bike trail would be similar, so that once you get out some distance the traffic is lighter and there are a lot fewer pedestrians, which might make it more tolerable, especially if the roads aren't amenable to bikes.
The best for speed are the inter-town ones, no major metropolis at either end. Closest thing I'll get to having my own private track.
In the crowded areas, time of day also matters a lot.
08-02-21, 03:23 PM
#128
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Valid. The MUP in I'm talking about isn't very interesting, but also doesn't have a tone of people wandering randomly. It's indicated as a "bike path", which probably helps, as well. It's at its best when you can roll side-by-side with a friend who is good at conversation.
08-02-21, 03:27 PM
#129
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When I was growing up there, I'd ride up the big hill from the Walker Art Center to Mount Curve repeatedly just to get some climbing practice. I haven't been there in about 25 years, but it looks on Google maps like that hill has become victim to landscaping, that street whose name I no longer remember is gone.
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08-02-21, 04:18 PM
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08-02-21, 04:40 PM
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Most traffic continues on the main trail. I signal a left turn as I coast and slow down, in case there is a rider behind me that might be going straight, catch up as I’m slowing and start to go around me on the left. I don’t want any surprises.
Otto
08-02-21, 04:58 PM
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I like to point at trees. just kidding I did this cuz I like this tree & wanted to make note of it in my video, but then I was also turning right, so after a cpl seconds moved my arm further right to indicate the right turn. everyone ahead of me & behind me knew was turning right. & isn't that the point?
08-02-21, 05:01 PM
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08-02-21, 05:04 PM
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For the same reason I assume that drivers will have even less idea what a raised left hand means. I would hope they'd have a little bit better idea if I'm pointing right with my right arm, but I don't know if they're even teaching bicyclist hand signals in driver's ed these days.
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08-02-21, 05:16 PM
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on "MUPs" I mostly just wave
08-02-21, 05:34 PM
#140
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08-02-21, 07:34 PM
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I give the standard left hand out with hand up signal for my right turns and always back it up through my take-a-look mirror to verify the lane is clear to move into.
hand signals
hand signals
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08-02-21, 07:43 PM
#144
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When on a narrow road and they beep the horn, I give them the #1 hand signal as they pass.
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08-03-21, 03:36 AM
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08-03-21, 07:01 AM
#146
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08-03-21, 07:20 AM
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14 miles through the Bitterroot range of the Rockies. East to west you start out going through a 1.66 mile, unlit tunnel that crosses the border from MT into ID. Had a 500 lumen light and wished for 750 lumen. Then it's all down hill. Several high trestles and numerous more tunnels, though short ones. There is a shuttle that brings you back to the west portal of the long tunnel, so you have to ride through it again to get back to your car. However, the old right-of-way is actually rideable for longer. From the eastern trailhead heading east it's know as the Olympian Trail. From the western trailhead you can ride the right-of-way west down to Avery ID and further west on what is called the Milwaukee Road Trail.
I camped east of Avery, went into town, rode the former right-of-way up to the west trailhead (it has its own tunnels), did the Hiawatha to the east trailhead then connected to something called the NorPac Trail. That took me back into ID at Lookout Pass. Descended 7 miles on I-90 to Mullan and picked up the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes (paved) to Wallace, ID for the night. Idaho into Montana and back into Idaho all in one day.
There is actually a loop you can do that incorporates the Milwaukee Road, CdA, Hiawatha and NorPac trails (some road riding required):
Bitterroot 300K Loop | Friends of the Coeur d'Alene Trails (friendsofcdatrails.org)
I camped east of Avery, went into town, rode the former right-of-way up to the west trailhead (it has its own tunnels), did the Hiawatha to the east trailhead then connected to something called the NorPac Trail. That took me back into ID at Lookout Pass. Descended 7 miles on I-90 to Mullan and picked up the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes (paved) to Wallace, ID for the night. Idaho into Montana and back into Idaho all in one day.
There is actually a loop you can do that incorporates the Milwaukee Road, CdA, Hiawatha and NorPac trails (some road riding required):
Bitterroot 300K Loop | Friends of the Coeur d'Alene Trails (friendsofcdatrails.org)
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08-03-21, 07:34 AM
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I always used the legal signals, left turn left arm straight out, right turn left arm out, bent 90 degrees, forearm straight up. Drivers seem perplexed. I think ill start pointing right with right arm for right turn. Better to be understood than correct, in this case!
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08-03-21, 07:55 AM
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I gave a couple middle finger salutes last weekend during my tour in NJ.
Wonder how many NJ drivers realize that a 4' passing law is coming down the pike.
Wonder how many NJ drivers realize that a 4' passing law is coming down the pike.
08-03-21, 07:59 AM
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