I like MUPs, they make my life easier, I use them everyday. I disagree with all the haters.

I got started on MUPs in 1990. The Washington & Old Dominion rails to trails path ran right behind my workplace, so I'd ride 20-30 miles after work every day. I was in Sterling, VA, so outbound was pretty rural--- I almost hit a deer once. Albuquerque has over 400 miles of bike paths, lanes, and trails, and Rio Rancho probably has at least another 100. Even the Paseo del Bosque trail, along the Rio Grande, is usually pretty sparsely populated, or so it seems to me. I do tend to go at off times. It has a gravel foot/MTB path alongside it, though. The only groups of more than 4 I've seen looked like teams--- matching jerseys, etc, and they don't seem to be going any slower because of other users. Several of the MUPs here parallel streets with bike lanes. Maybe if there were MORE MUPs, people could spread out over them more and they'd be less problematic.

I personally don't dislike MUPs just the people on them ; )

If people walk and ride like responsible people it isn't bad but when they walk or ride several abreast into another lane, stop in the middle with their bikes, don't watch out, let their kids ride wherever, unleashed dogs (not an issue of attacks just not being able to control them in any situation as they think they can), and commit other forms of idiocy it ruins it.

It is simple you walk as far right as you can and don't block the path. If you are riding you keep control of your bike and if you are stopping get off the trail or move as far right as possible and don't stand in the middle of anything. When you are getting back on make sure you are clear so you can get up some speed so you don't cause accidents figuring out when you want to get back on the bike. Simple stuff like that.

I like the MUPs in San Antonio but I get there early. Even then, I find I spend a lot of time educating people who don't know how to share the trail.

I'm glad to have them.

If it was so simple...you'd think more than maybe 1% of people using an MUT or bike path would get it.

Last week I was riding an MUT that skirted the local college campus adjacent to a road on one side. A public school bus driver decided to unload his elementary school kids getting a tour right onto the MUT. No biggie I see well in advance, and slow down and firmly announce my presence. I was astounded and disappointed. EVERY SINGLE kid (60 or 70) heard me and turned and saw me and got over to the right, the ones that didn't here me had a friend tapping their shoulder. EVERY one. I had an OMGWTFBBQ happiness moment for a second.

Conversely NONE of the adults or teachers or chaperones looked around even with kids pulling their adults heads and pointing, and ALL the adults kept doddering in the wrong lane and not getting over and walking 2+ abreast. Absolutely friggin oblivious.

Whats not to like?
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/...psyipb98va.jpg

Only one thing not to like...limestone dust sticks like a mofo to parts and sucks to try to clean off.

Wanna keep it clean stay home.

Obviously. When I said simple I didn't mean that everyone was even barely bright enough to realize it but just that for a normal functioning adult with a normal brain should be able to figure those things out. However most folks are braindead morons!

Man, we got it pretty good with our MUPs in the DC area then. Some bad trail users on them, but nothing like the horrors reported on this thread.

I used to do the South Bay MUP from Santa Monica to Redondo and back (with a Palos Verdes loop sometimes) about once a month. They seemed to be pretty strict (only bikes and roller blades -- no runners/no peds). Yes, many sections were slow or even supper slow (Venice, Manhattan) but some places you could crank it up (Playa del Rey and past LAX). However, the scenery was out-f-ing-standing.

scott s.
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Another Mpls area rider who likes the MUPs very much. I rode the Midtown Greenway a couple weekends ago and I've ridden the Dakota Rail Trail as well, both are very nice. Most of my MUP riding is on the trail looping inside the wonderful 4900 acre Elm Creek Park Reserve and connecting to the Mississippi River Coon Rapids Dam and park. My house is about 300 feet from that MUP and it's never heavily used.

i have, on rare occasion, felt the same about a few select san diego mup segments.

Bottom line; MUPS are easier for city fathers to justify. Often it's MUPS or nothing. On the bright side an old man on a trike usually gets courtesy.

I don't hate them all. Some, like the Katy Trail and Vail Pass, are great if you can ride them during the weekdays when there are fewer users.

Yes. I did nearly all of the trail as part of a 10-day tour from/to Rapid City. I stayed in Custer a few nights and did Needles Highway shown above, only without gear and as part of a loop from the campground in Custer. Also spent nights in Spearfish, Hill City, Edgemont and Hot Springs: https://www.flickr.com/photos/105349...57655263744881

+1!
Best regards

How about this MUP? Would anybody hate this one?

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=485307http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=485306

OK, not a fair question. We rode the Loire Valley in France in 2011 and the route took us through Souzay-Champigny.

To the people that hate masses of morons on the trail, I get that. In Minneapolis, you'll find this condition around the Stone Arch Bridge and Gold Metal Park. It is a huge tourist draw with the selfie-idiots, segway tours, children running wild, etc ... and riding the path is a nightmare and the road is only marginally better. Another "fun" place is riding into Minnehaha Falls where they rent the huge 4-wheel 4-person bikes, to ride on a narrow MUP, always exciting.

We have an awesome trail/path/safety path system in my municipality and metro region, and as a rule they are never overcrowded except on a few peak days/times such as Memorial Day or July 4. I also do a lot of my riding at night or early AM and then they are all mine.

But as others have said or at least alluded to, your riding style and choice of bike makes a difference - road bike no / my hybrid, mt or my 'cross bike, yes - not trying to ride like TDF when I know I have to share.

MUPs aren't nearly as bad as mountain bike trails shared with hikers though. A busy weekend here in Phoenix, and you might as well just walk the bike the entire time.

Rode the MUP last night, the only person I saw was my wife. It was dark, but typically there are people dressed like ninjas, in all black, with an unleashed black lab walking after dark with no flash lights. It was very nice and I hope we have the same thing happen tonight.

I was camping as well. Did Needles as a loop from our site just south of Hill City and north of Custer. I really want to go back and do more riding in the Black Hills and Badlands.

Most of the ride from Rapid City to Spearfish was really nice. Spearfish was like stepping into Oz as far as SD goes. I have toured in a lot of areas of the U.S. The municipal park and campground in Spearfish is the nicest I have ever seen. Families riding their bikes. People jogging and out for evening strolls. There was a group karate lesson going on while rabbits hopped around and a couple of young deer frolicked on a lawn. The ride up Spearfish Canyon is also very sweet. I don't have any photos except for at the top because I dropped my camera in water the night before. I bought a new one at the Spearfish K-Mart the next morning but the battery was not charged. I stopped for lunch at the top of the Canyon Rd. and charged it there.

It seems that the issue is not the MUP itself, but rather the people who use it.

I see two generally applicable options here:

1) Slow down, stravaboi.

2) Use the road.

MUP = Multi Use Path. Not Personal Training Path.