Originally Posted by
ConvertedRunner
It definetely wasn't an official bike path. I just moved to the city and am still learning my way around. As far as my safety consciousness goes...I say "passing on your left" and "thank you" to pedestrians. I slow down considerably in high ped traffic areas, and I've only flipped off two drivers in the month and a half I've been in DC. I also never wear headphones, and I keep my head on a swivel.
Passing on your left, you say?
I distinctly recall you taking an inside track to the right to drop that dude on the lark!
Nice kill.
As for the sidewalk riding thing, if you spend much time in the A&S forum, or even this place, you will find that sidewalk riding is highly frowned upon.
The VCers here (vehicular cyclists) would rather be run down by a bus than take a sidewalk to avoid one. Personally, I think there is a time and place for sidewalk cruising and from what I could see your choice to do so was a wise one.
The road was multi lane, busy and there wasn't much shoulder to speak of. The sidewalk had a good deal of grass to both sides which gives you room to go around peds and helps to prevent being ambushed by crossing traffic. Being on a mtb also helps since taking the grass isn't a dangerous option. A roadie in the same place might have been better off mixing it up with the cages in the same situation.