General Cycling Discussion - Secret joy of the scare?

I was on a ride today - spinning along a local paved trail. When I spoted a bunch of teens ahead walking the same way I was traveling. There was four walking abreast - taking the entire trail. Normally I would shout "on you left" - but today my evil self directed me otherwise. I buzzed through the group with no more than a wisper. Of course there was a yell, and an "oh my god" - my reply, an empty "sorry". I know it's not right, and I don't do it often, and especialy not to a family, the elderly, etc. But somtimes that little twinge hits me at a moments notice. Maybe it's because I'm a little bitter that they don't have the respect to take only one side, or maybe I enjoy scaring on occasion. Anyone share this delema?

For me, it's always the bitterness of others having no respect for you, or any other biker. However in your case they might have not known that this trail was used by bikers or did they?

I was on a ride today - spinning along a local paved trail. When I spoted a bunch of teens ahead walking the same way I was traveling. There was four walking abreast - taking the entire trail. Normally I would shout "on you left" - but today my evil self directed me otherwise. I buzzed through the group with no more than a wisper. Of course there was a yell, and an "oh my god" - my reply, an empty "sorry". I know it's not right, and I don't do it often, and especialy not to a family, the elderly, etc. But somtimes that little twinge hits me at a moments notice. Maybe it's because I'm a little bitter that they don't have the respect to take only one side, or maybe I enjoy scaring on occasion. Anyone share this delema?

Commit a random act of kindness, even to teens!

I can not appreciate what you did or why you did it. Your actions reflect on all cyclists.

Like kerk, I do not agree with your actions.

I alread have too many concerns with pedestrians and drivers that do not appreciate our right to share the roads/trails. Many people do not need a reason to want us off the roads/trails ... but these future drivers now may have one.

Your immaturity will directly reflect on their behavior towards cyclists they see on the road when they become licensed drivers. I only hope that they have the sense to give us room, not try plowing through the group cause we weren't far enough in the bike lane, or were riding two abreast.

It was wrong but what do you do when they dont move and you have to STOP until they pass you so you can ride?It happens to me 2-3 times a week with the high school track teams and yes i've called the schools and nothing happened and i've gone higher,i work for the school district.These teams are on bike paths signed as bike paths away from the streets.

Your immaturity will directly reflect on their behavior towards cyclists they see on the road when they become licensed drivers. I only hope that they have the sense to give us room, not try plowing through the group cause we weren't far enough in the bike lane, or were riding two abreast.

I can't argue the immaturity - it's true. However your (and others) comments about the reflection on all cyclists concerns me. I get buzzed by cars daily, yelled at and worse - but I could'nt imagine judging all car drivers because of that 5%. I see this narrow mindedness similar to the judging of any group (religious, sexual or mode of travel preferance) based on one encounter. I am not defending what I did, nor will I say I would not do it again. Every so often I get a little feed up with the lack of respect I get as a cyclist and I lash out a teeny tiny bit. Thanks for all of the comments.

I can't argue the immaturity - it's true. However your (and others) comments about the reflection on all cyclists concerns me. I get buzzed by cars daily, yelled at and worse - but I could'nt imagine judging all car drivers because of that 5%. I see this narrow mindedness similar to the judging of any group (religious, sexual or mode of travel preferance) based on one encounter. I am not defending what I did, nor will I say I would not do it again. Every so often I get a little feed up with the lack of respect I get as a cyclist and I lash out a teeny tiny bit. Thanks for all of the comments.
But its true because drivers already hate us so when they see one cyclist doing something dumb,we all have done it and thats just the way they think.We are very disliked.

But its true because drivers already hate us so when they see one cyclist doing something dumb,we all have done it and thats just the way they think.We are very disliked.

Can't say this is proven by my own experience. Yes, I witness jerky behavior on the part of motorists from time to time as I commute, but more often drivers here keep a respectful speed and distance. Compare this to the stupid, selfish behaviors I see on the Springwater trail nearly every day on the way home, most of them perpetrated by cyclists.

Present company excepted of course :D, I've found I'm not fond of other cyclists.

-Rob

Did you make a bicycle "friend" or an "enemy" today?

In our neck of the woods, you would be responsible to any injuries you caused if you accidentally hit any of them - especially in the scenario you described with absolutely no warning.

So what is wrong with slowing down, anyway? Think of it as interval training. Slow down, speed up. Good training technique.

Did you make a bicycle "friend" or an "enemy" today?



Good point DnvrFox.

Nothing is wrong with slowing down - trust me, I love intervals. Also, there was as much chance of me crashing in that situation as there would have been had they heard my warning. I guess I get a little fed up with being at the bottom of the food chain as a cyclist. However, I am a major cycling advocate (hard to believe in this thread, I know).

O bleat bleat bleat. Ooo, someone startled a few pedestrians, bleat bleat bleat. God forbid that anyone stands up and says that on a shared path, it's the groups of pedestrians taking up the entire width are the jerks. It's all well and good being polite and asking nicely if pretty please may I get past, but what most people don't seem to realise, especially pedestrians, and it would seem cyclists as well, is that they shouldn't have been there in the first place. My patience with these idiots is pretty short, which is part of the reason I never use shared paths. The road is a much more civilised place.

I don't know about over there, but here the rules are clear, but largely ignored. Every pedestrian seems to know the rule about cyclists yielding to them, but almost none of them know about the rule about not obstructing the path of other users. Having right of way doesn't endow them with the right to use the path however the hell they choose, by wandering all over the path, changing direction at random without checking for other traffic for example. What they fail to realise is that on a shared path, the normal rules of the road apply.

If I rode my bike on the road the same way these jaggoffs used shared paths I'd be dead within a week. They should be grateful that cyclists are as tolerant as they are, and if they get buzzed occasionally, maybe they should examine what they can do to avoid it happening again by, here's a controvertial thought, obeying the rules and keeping to one side of the path.

Give 'em heaps sscyco. </rant>

Im with allister here. Everyone is making way too big a deal out of this. Sometimes its easier not to yell out something, Ive found that startles people more than if I just rode by. Doesnt happen too often because I ride in the streets exclusively but when it does I just blow through. I dont go right in between them but I dont swing extra extra wide. The way I see it this is simply a prank and not the end of cycling as we know it. Plus, it gets their heart rates up!

I was getting a little nervous that I was going to be the only one that that feels this way - good to see that I'm not.

Hey, if you warn someone in plenty of time and they don't move, blow by. But to just blow by without warning at 15-20 mph is inconsiderate and dangerous for all.

"Every so often I get a little feed up with the lack of respect I get as a cyclist and I lash out a teeny tiny bit."


So who was your real target here? If you thought you'd make everyone who ever disrespected you pay by blowing by the teens, that's not fair. As someone else pointed out, it would have been understandable if you warned them and they didn't move. To do it because you needed the satisfaction doesn't cut it, IMO.

So who was your real target here? If you thought you'd make everyone who ever disrespected you pay by blowing by the teens, that's not fair. As someone else pointed out, it would have been understandable if you warned them and they didn't move. To do it because you needed the satisfaction doesn't cut it, IMO.

Frankly I did'nt give it that much thought. I was riding - so were a bunch of other people - most trail users were using their part of the trail and being considerate of others, then I came up behind these guys and they wern't. I might of went with my instinct and did what my subconcious directed as the path of least resitance - or I was just being an ass. I'm really not sure. On any given year I ride well over 5K miles - so I've developed a riding sense - I can't explain all of my actions on the bike. However, I can say I did get a bit of satisfaction from doing what I did. By no means am I argueing that this is right - just what I did.

Frankly I did'nt give it that much thought. I was riding - so were a bunch of other people - most trail users were using their part of the trail and being considerate of others, then I came up behind these guys and they wern't. I might of went with my instinct and did what my subconcious directed as the path of least resitance - or I was just being an ass. I'm really not sure. On any given year I ride well over 5K miles - so I've developed a riding sense - I can't explain all of my actions on the bike. However, I can say I did get a bit of satisfaction from doing what I did. By no means am I argueing that this is right - just what I did.

Gotta give you credit for your honesty, anyway. Regardless of your whatever your motive may or may not have been, may I just add that I hope never to become the target of a cycle-hating motorist who suddenly decides he's had it and vents his rage on ME.

You've got a lot of guts admitting this on an open forum and I too credit your honesty. I'd be lying if I said I've never wanted to give someone a wake-up call myself; however, the short term satisfaction just didn't seem to outweigh the potential long term consequences. I don't mean to sound judgemental but you might not be so lucky next time.

Gotta give you credit for your honesty, anyway. Regardless of your whatever your motive may or may not have been, may I just add that I hope never to become the target of a cycle-hating motorist who suddenly decides he's had it and vents his rage on ME.

Thanks -

I don't know if I would go as far as "rage" - if it was rage, I'd of sprinted up to about 35mph, bunny hopped, flung my bike sidways and and taken them all out. I'm not full of hate or rage or just shy of going postal - I just gave a few inconsiderate kids a scare. What I got from all of your comments just may keep me from repeating what I did in the future - or at least posting it :eek: .

Thanks -

I don't know if I would go as far as "rage" - if it was rage, I'd of sprinted up to about 35mph, bunny hopped, flung my bike sidways and and taken them all out. I'm not full of hate or rage or just shy of going postal - I just gave a few inconsiderate kids a scare. What I got from all of your comments just may keep me from repeating what I did in the future - or at least posting it :eek: .


Didn't mean to assume your feelings were intense enough to qualify as "rage" and that you wanted to wipe out the offenders ...maybe just extreme irritation??? Again, credit due for considering the comments you got here and maybe doing things differently next time (aside from not posting the next incident!) :D :D :D

For the most part, I agree that a gentle "on your left"
or excuse me might have been the best solution. However this doesn't mean that I don't get the urge
to do the same thing in hopes the idiots will have learned
something from the encounter.
Like Allister this is exactly why I avoid MUPs.

Marty

I would have spoke up sooner, but I just saw this thread. I agree with the above poster, you are brave to post here on this forum with a maneuver like that!

sscyco, you did what I think about doing quite often, but rarely ever do. You didn't do anything too outragious IMHO, as long as it's not done too often. Sometimes careless people need a good scare. Not unlike a car honking a horn at a bicyle riding on the wrong side of the street.

I don't think this reflects badly on cyclist. If I were one of these people my thoughts would probably be something like, "wow, this path has cyclists on it, maybe we shouldn't take the whole path". I'm pretty sure you weren't the only bike rider that day to try and pass these folks either. You're just the only one who posts on this forum who did.

Is this good cycling advocacy? No, but maybe you don't consider yourself an advocate. Is this human nature? Yes, thanks for being honest.

I would have spoke up sooner, but I just saw this thread. I agree with the above poster, you are brave to post here on this forum with a maneuver like that!

sscyco, you did what I think about doing quite often, but rarely ever do. You didn't do anything too outragious IMHO, as long as it's not done too often. Sometimes careless people need a good scare. Not unlike a car honking a horn at a bicyle riding on the wrong side of the street.

I don't think this reflects badly on cyclist. If I were one of these people my thoughts would probably be something like, "wow, this path has cyclists on it, maybe we shouldn't take the whole path". I'm pretty sure you weren't the only bike rider that day to try and pass these folks either. You're just the only one who posts on this forum who did.

Is this good cycling advocacy? No, but maybe you don't consider yourself an advocate. Is this human nature? Yes, thanks for being honest.
RIGHT.And the earth is flat.

Again I feel like posting in this thread. Im on ssyco's side. Its not like he ran them off the path, ran into them, hit them as he went by, or any other things. The worst that came out of this was those kids were startled. They didnt at that moment decide their mission in life is to now eradicate all cyclists.

Man, did I get paid back for being judgemental yesterday. A friend asked me to cycle w/her on a local bike path today. I normally stay off them for all the obvious reasons, but she promised me pretty scenery, so I went. Cycling by a river w/the leaves all turning beautiful colors was terrific. But every jogger, walker, baby buggy-pusher and first-time cyclist was out today. And while most people were curteous, a lot were not. Entire families insisted on blocking the pathway and were intent on not giving an inch, even w/a warning. I had rich fantasies of wiping some of them out w/Sscyco's bunny hop manuver. I had to laugh, though,when I thought of the irony. The universe works in strange ways.

I had rich fantasies of wiping some of them out w/Sscyco's bunny hop manuver. I had to laugh, though,when I thought of the irony. The universe works in strange ways.


I'll have to teach you that sometime.

Today I went on a mid range ride - @ 10% on a multi use trail. I came up behind a very old couple, walking very slowly and strategically placed them in such a way that they took up the entire trail (which is about 12' wide). I slowed, yelled "coming up behind you!" - no response. I got very close, almost to a trackstand - a said in a normal voice "excuse me, can I get by" - they both shuddered and jolted like they just stuck some part of their anatomy in a light socket, went to opposite sides of the trail and looked at me like I was riding naked (I wasn't, it was too cold). I said thanks, and proceeded on my way. I got about a 100 yards ahead, looked back and saw that they were back in their original positions. And I didn’t even get mad (patting myself on my back :o )

I'll have to teach you that sometime.

Today I went on a mid range ride - @ 10% on a multi use trail. I came up behind a very old couple, walking very slowly and strategically placed them in such a way that they took up the entire trail (which is about 12' wide). I slowed, yelled "coming up behind you!" - no response. I got very close, almost to a trackstand - a said in a normal voice "excuse me, can I get by" - they both shuddered and jolted like they just stuck some part of their anatomy in a light socket, went to opposite sides of the trail and looked at me like I was riding naked (I wasn't, it was too cold). I said thanks, and proceeded on my way. I got about a 100 yards ahead, looked back and saw that they were back in their original positions. And I didn?t even get mad (patting myself on my back :o )


If they were very old, they might not have been able to hear you when you yelled. And if you rode naked, they might not be able to see you.
BTW, I find that when I start stripping off layers when it's hot out, cars suddenly seem more aware that I'm there. Doesn't work when you're coming up behind people, though.

Its something when non-cyclist are on a bike path and act like,what the hell are you doing when they see,of all things,a cyclist on,of all places,a bike path,HELLO.Lets face it,we should'nt be anywhere.

RIGHT.And the earth is flat.

Thanks for the idiotic response. I can tell you’re passionate about cycling, but you don’t make yourself clear.

If they were very old, they might not have been able to hear you when you yelled. And if you rode naked, they might not be able to see you.
BTW, I find that when I start stripping off layers when it's hot out, cars suddenly seem more aware that I'm there. Doesn't work when you're coming up behind people, though.

I agree (with the hearing part), and I wasn't the bit upset - I found it kind of cute that a 70somthing couple were outside enjoying each other and the weather - hope I get there someday, but on a bike.

As far as the "when it's hot out" comment - hopfully it's a good awarness.

Can't agree with what you did entirely...but from time to time I do think that some of the inconsiderates need a bit of a shock ONLY when a kind suggestion is not taken to heart first by those who wish to occupy the entire trail without consideration for everyone who shares the path.

I think that made sense.....

There are times that I get an eveil pleasure from blasting past pedestrians on shared paths. One time a big guy with a beer bottle made some comment about my shorts. The kind of thing which you dont say in normal conversation with complete strangers. On the way back, I passed him with a foot to spare, but still managed to make him jump out of his skin.
On my daily commute along heavily signed, shared paths, I pass the same people, at the same time, at the same place every day, and still manage to surprise them. Maybe I could sell this stealth technolgy to the military.
Before I get flamed to a crisp, I should add that with most other path users, esp ones who are not dopey teenagers, I am a model of courtesy.

I pass the same people, at the same time, at the same place every day, and still manage to surprise them.

That doesn't surprise me.


I should add that with most other path users, esp ones who are not dopey teenagers, I am a model of courtesy.

Only a model? ;)