Tom Bombadil

I took it as a compliment. I think it was the first time ever it's even been implied that I might have been going fast.

stevesurf

So well said.

One thing I use is one of those high intensity front lights in flashing mode. I'm thinking that people that we come up from behind might see some of the flashing off of the road or foliage. Of course, these lights (like the Dinotte) can be really annoying to oncoming cyclists, so I cover them when another cyclist approaches.

bmorey

And dogs off the lead. I slowed to a crawl the other day to a dog coming the other way and it still crossed right in front at the last second and got a nudge on the hindquarters. At least the owner had the grace to apologize.

bmorey

I bought an Incredibell 'Big Brass Bell' the other day too -- the 'briiing-briiing' type. I reckon it's great - a loud, friendly ring. People always move over or give me a wave. Much better than the anemic 'ting ting' bell that came as stock.

leob1

I have found that voice or bell has no influence on the startle factor, I don't even bother with the bell anymore. One particular person I passed twice(on an out and back ride), both times I used the bell, she jumped just as much the second time as the first. The usual response to the bell is to stop and look, not many people use bells so it's not that common a sound. Older people will jump more than younger people.
As for the "pod people", if they are young, I tend to pass them closer than an older person.
What really gets me though, is the person on a bike that insists on riding on the opposite side of the trail as everybody else. 99.99 percent of the people, walkers, runners, and cyclist, and people on bikes, stay to the right. The .01% that has to be on the left, facing traffic as it where, can be a big problem. I yelled a warnig to a person on the wrong side the other day, said "wrong side of the road" as I passed, she did not take the comment kindly.

megaman

That has happened to me. More than once. The problem for me is everyone on a bike thinks I'm slow (as in speed, I hope not witted), anyway, I've wound up repassing some of these cyclists. I do take my time sometimes passing people on foot because I do very much understand how hard it is to hear someone approaching from behind. I too, am caught by surprise sometimes cause I can barely hear a bell unless they're really close. I do daydream while I'm riding cause I'm so relaxed. The wind whistling past my ears drowns out many noises. I also can't tell which direction the sound is coming from. That's from my poor hearing.
If you were to approach my daughter from behind she also can't tell which direction the sound is coming from cause she only hears out of one ear.
Only if I have a good view and no people on foot near do I go over 20 mph on a MUP.

unterhausen

please tell me an unleashed dog on a mup is illegal

leob1

Pretty much any place that's populated there is a leash law. More so, its responsible dog ownership to have your dog on a leash at a place like a mup. I know, that's a lot to ask.

Jay Andriot

I do 90% of my riding on a fabulous MUP, the W+OD in Northern VA, I ride at 20mph + and never announce my passing. The W+OD is very crowed, has a high degree of i-Pods including myself and I have found it much safer for everyone not to shout out every ten seconds Passing on your Left. All it does on a crowed path is cause trouble. I'd much rather pass cleanly and without fanfare.