Maybe we need a jersey that says "I break for joggers." (Note: Misspelling is intentional.)

One of the local girls track teams jogs on my bike trail. When I catch up to them I don't say anything!

CA tourist traps are always fun- especially on weekends! In 1980 our nice path along the cliffs was newly paved with several 'bike path' signs. Over the years; the signs disappeared, population went hog wild with tourists who decided to stay, along with growing famiies hanging on...

That path has become an overcrowded point of contreversy- usually in the newspaper: bearing letters to the editor complainting "remove those unsafe bicycles!".

Never happen. But I wonder what would be the response to putting up signs like 'stroller, jogger, or rolller skate path'?

countersTrike

In my always humble and often reasonable opinion, enjoying and even celebrating the strollers, walkers, skaters, joggers and slow riders on a path is much more fun than getting all out of shape about who may be doing what where.

Yes, I have tested the brakes and my slender off road skills. Sure I would rather go at my own pace rather than waiting for that family to get organized, it would be fun to hit some blind curves without worry. All that, though, is small stuff. For me, it's big stuff when people are actually outdoors, moving their butts, and enjoying the facilities our tax dollars built.

If only someone would just teach me the zen of dog droppings and goose grease, life would be near perfect.

My aren't WE the Stud Buck Pony!

Oh thanks for clarifying that you have "nothing against." Do please post a dress code that meets with your approval.

I ride a couple of MUP's and a few cycle dedicated trails. The MUP's are diabolical. Dogs- people- kids and the joggers do not take any notice of bikes- no matter how polite you are- Swearing does work though.

But on the Seafront there is a 20ft path closed to motorised vehicles. Half of it is designated bike and roller blade and the other for pedestrians. Nearly everyone uses the bike lane. Joggers I can understand- especially when you see they are plugged in to the I Pod. They do keep a straight line and the object is to pass as close as possible to them without hitting them. It's the kids- and Mum & Dad that annoy me. Wandering all over the track and take no notice of what you yell at them.

RE: MUP or pseudo-bike paths... You have your head in the sand and are just plain, er, lacking thought, if you expect:

families to keep their kids regimented
dog walkers to keep their dogs on a short leash
lovers to walk single file
people to eschew the pleasures of listening to music

Folks, it just won't happen and you are being unreasonable to expect it. Ride your bike on those paths with the understanding that you are sharing with people who couldn't care less about your bike riding. Kids need to weave around when they cycle. Lovers need to hold hands. Many of us like listening to headphones. Dogs like to have 10' of lead rather than 2'.

Just my opinion, but I have plenty of rural roads to ride on, and that's where I go if I want to ride fast.

Kind of like being on the road with drivers?

I happen to enjoy a large complex of unpaved rails to trails in a state that is willing to spend a good chunk of change and time on them.

If it weren't for those walkers, horse riders and dog walkers I wouldn't have those trails. There simply aren't enough bikers around to generate that kink of money. Are there where you live?

You're talking about Plainfield Rd., right? Even though it's marked as a "bike lane," I figure it has to be multi-use. There are no sidewalks there, and there is definitely no room for a bike lane and a pedestrian lane. I've also seen bikers heading south in the southbound traffic lane. Are they wrong, too? I run on this road. In the "bike path." I will move over for a jogger or rider if I encounter one. If I came upon a jogger while riding, I'd move into the traffic lane to pass. I would use the traffic lane if I was going south, since the bike lane is on the northbound side.

It's funny, though. I have this picture in my head of the white outline of a jogger marking the jogging path. It'd look like a crime scene every few hundred yards...

Depends who "you" is I guess! I also enjoy the fact people are outside. We have a small city- only about 45 miles of MUPs. I am in no rush, and with 3 wheels I could stop at anytime without removing a foot to steady myself.

We are on L.A.B.s list of bicycle friendly citys, due to having a college, a university, a horse ranch or 2, and having a "Dog Beach". So putting up with a stroller is a VERY small price to pay for enjoying a bike path!

countersTrike

Yep, Plainfield rd, I usually ride it uphill and that way there is no problem. However I will occasionally ride it downhill, even though I am "On the wrong side" I would prefer to see what is coming at me than be on the "correct" side of the road where there is no room for error. I don't feel like ending up on the golf course.
Cooper rd also has a marked Bike lane on only one side. That one really bothers me, being on the wrong side, but then again do I do it correctly and risk being run of the road.
I have considered going over to "Fleet Feet" on a Saturday and talking to their joggers, maybe that way with a dialog going we would not have to curse each other on the road .

Here ya go: Special clothes for riding?

Some more info for you. A definition actually:
poseur n. One who affects a particular attribute, attitude, or identity to impress or influence others.

Like wearing U.S. Postal Service jerseys on the path riding 12 mph? Check the link, read the page, then let me know what you think....

Don't you think Riv style has crossed over to the trendy side too much to use as a counterpoint? It's like un-chic chic.

Hey Joey, I have a lot of clothes like that, but generally don't wear it riding. I don't wear my jeans and flannel shirts when I ski either. Is that OK with you.

And, thanks SO much for the definition, because none of us know what a poseur, or the American term poser is. But you forgot to mention why it is a FACT that people who wear logo-festooned stuff are posers. Just because you think they are? Is there no other explanation?

How bout this: people wear that stuff because it's comfortable when riding and they think its fun to wear it. Perhaps you've noticed all the jokers (or should I say poseurs) who wear all the NBA, NFL, NHL, and MLB jerseys, caps and jackets. Do you REALLY think they're posers? That would just be silly.

Maybe they just like the stuff for the same reason as the other sports logo wearers. Maybe someone gave it to them as a fun gift and it seems silly to leave it in the closet on the off chance they will offend some twit on the bike path.
Maybe they're going 12 mph because that's all the faster they can go ... or... that's all the faster they want to go. Maybe they don't give a clean shaven rat's ass what twits they meet on the bike path think - I hope to god that's true. (therefore not poseurs by your own definition).

You really have to be clearer what your rules are vis a vis speed:logo ratio so we don't offend your delicate sensibilities. When you're riding you really need to identify yourself with some brightly colored vest and descriptive labeling so we all know to speed up to the appropriate speed (based on your speed:logo ratios) lest we get shamed by the apparel cops.

By the way, when I buy jerseys, etc. I buy generic plain jane stuff and happen to think logo wear is dorky. On the other hand, a friend showed up at a group ride with a pile of pro-team type logo jerseys that he got from a friend in the business and gave us each one with our frame logo on it. So we wear them for fun - should we not ?? (we go about 15 mph average). My daughter gave me a logo jersey because she thought it was cool. Should I tell her I just can't wear it because I don't go fast enough or I think it's dorky?

As you get older, you'll learn that there's often more than meets the eye, and your taste isn't necessarily the only way to go.

Thanks for your help and vigilence.

PS: I just noticed you avatar and motto - hmm, what word starts with p and rhymes with hoser?

It sure seems odd to me that one particular type of user of a public facility like a MUP has issues with others using the same facility but not in the same way. Sure, there are manners (either good or bad) involved, but in my life experience, whether or not you have good manners has little to do with whether you are on a bicycle or not.

As you get older you may learn that it is usually a waste of time to challenge folks opinions.

Opinions, by their nature, are not right or wrong. Its just point of view or taste. For instance.

Me: "I don't like coffee."

You: "Now wait just a minute, there are lots of good reasons why people drink coffee and now they found out that caffeine aint so bad and it keeps me awake doing work late at night and they don't give a clean shaven rat's ass what twits they meet think."

Me: "I still don't like coffee. Furthermore, I find cyclists with their tightly worn, logo festooned Tour de Poseur jerseys dragging their top tubes beneath thirty pounds of beer gut doing 12 mph on the path, well, hilarious."

Me: "I still don't like coffee. Furthermore, I find cyclists with their tightly worn, logo festooned Tour de Poseur jerseys dragging their top tubes beneath thirty pounds of beer gut doing 12 mph on the path, well, hilarious."[/QUOTE]

Hey! what is wrong with 12mph?

Nothing whatsoever.

I was just shining a light on the fact that ANY trail user could be considered "in the way" including cyclists. I think the number 12 came from another source whom I quoted, so it sorta became my 12 down the string.

One day I was biking in Kansas between Newton and Larned. I felt lucky to see double digits thanks to robust winds. 12 would have been a welcome sight.

I own a zounds airhorn attached to my road/commuter bike but try to limit its use to cars only.
That does not mean I have not blown up the more deserving ear bud wearing flesh bag.
That does not mean I did not enjoy it. I know I'm sick, but I have found shock and awe amusing.

Hey! Is that the same horn the talk show host was using in that other thread? Those darn flesh bags--always getting in the way...

Hope you don't think you are the only "sick" person here. I wish I had room for a zounds on my HB, but somehow I think it would only lead to violence if I did.

Since you asked...

I think it is crap, just like a lot of what is there. As always they take one opinion and pompously present it as the one true religion. I have nothing against folks wearing the things that Riv recommends, but likewise see nothing wrong with wearing bike shorts, shoes, and jerseys.

I find bike clothes to be very comfortable and practical. I typically wear them any time the primary purpose for going out is to ride. If I am just going to the store maybe not. I wouldn't have considered anything else when I decided to do a coast to coast tour and on hind sight I still consider it the most sensible choice for me.

Riv claims that "People who go on around the world trips..." wear baggy shorts and such, and some do. It certainly isn't universal, as they imply though.

They say that you don't need special bike clothes then try to sell you "our own line of bike clothing that doesn't look like bike clothing".

Wear what you want. I do. If you're comfortable in the uniform put it on. If you want to wear the shorts you put on this morning go ahead. And I won't look down my old hippie hose at you wearing your lycra if you won't look down yours at me wearing my cotton. Love

Hippie Hose. Try burning that* tie died image out of my mind.