Mark42

A few days ago while riding on a bike/jogging path came around a bit of a right hand blind turn at 14mph (according to gps) hugging the inside in case a biker was coming the other way and to my surprise there were two women jogging in spandex right dead in front of me. First thing that went through my head was "Damn, they have really nice bums.". Then I had to slam on the brakes. The noisy rear caliper made no sound, but it did lock right up!!! The bike slid out to the left, I let off the rear brake, bike was leaning far to the right and I put my right foot to the pavement and ended up spinning around 180*. The women stopped and asked if I was alright, and I apologized profusely for coming within about 6 inches of the women on the left. Damn, that was close. I almost hit them, and I almost dumped my bike. At 59 years of age, hitting the pavement would be a very bad thing. So I was glad to keep the bike upright. Years of riding dirt bikes probably helped me control the slide. But I was seriously shaken.

Guess when riding these public trails I need to remember that there are other people there besides cyclists. As the old saying goes..... Live and Learn.

Oh, mom and daughter were both drop dead gorgeous. It was so nice they were worried about me and not cursing me out. I really appreciated their attention! LOL!

atitagain

Wham bam thank you mam jim dandy to the rescue !

Doctor Morbius

In this particular case I think it would have been appropriate to have apologized, which you did, and to ask them over for a threesome.

GAJett

Your apologies were appropriate and seem to have been well received.
The larger issue is how could this be avoided in the future. Where I live the MUTs state a 15 mph speed limit (like I care) and EVERYONE is supposed to be travelling on the right. HOWEVER, speed is a definite problem when visibility is limited.

BlazingPedals

Yes, the 15 mph speed limit is only for when the view is unrestricted. You're still responsible for maintaining a safe stopping distance. Good on you for apologizing, at least.

veganbikes

Nearly everyone on those MUPs are the worst scum and villainy you will find. They cannot comport themselves with any decency at all. The walkers take up as much space as they damn well please, are too busy on their cell phones or in conversations with their droll neighboors or are allowing their dogs to run loose. The joggers act like salmon, take up as much space as they damn well please or can only here crappy workout jamz and the cyclists blast white disco lights at you, allow their kids to ride like it was a demolition derby, race or stop in the middle to take in the sights! C'est Le Guerre

That all being said glad you got a nice view out of it and at least you apologized, people don't do that often. I used to ride on a MUP to get too and from work and sadly I enjoyed it, the gravel was nice break from cars and asphalt. It is a shame that the paths cannot be filled with people who behave in the exact same manner as I do ; )

Mark42

I'm keeping an eye out for them next time I ride that trail. People tend to keep a regular schedule. Maybe they will go get coffee with me. I feel like a Werewolf of London. Hee, hee hee.....

KLiNCK

Mark42

That is fricking funny!!!!

jon c. 

I find this to be true in much of life.

veganbikes

Amen to that!!!!!!

700

On your left.

REDMASTA

Move b****, get out the way, get out the way b****, get out the way.

europa

You must always be able to stop in what you can see.
Sadly, those who follow this rule sometimes forget and too many dropkicks don't give a ****... like the three heroes I saw riding a paceline along a narrow, heavily used bike path a few weeks ago.

indyfabz

Can I interest some of you in a slightly used bridge in Brooklyn? It's the best, cheapest, bang for your buck bridge out there.

xodondum

I hate it when they have their dog on a 15 foot leash running all over!! or when the jogger uses the middle between the lanes or when I'm going 10mph and some soccer mom still screams,"slow down!" or a group that insists on using BOTH lanes or are stopped in both lanes... just can't win.

BobbyG

It's the "meet cute" beginning to a Hollywood romantic comedy. Unless you're already married, then it's a Lifetime Channel infidelity drama/thriller.

rumrunn6

"pardon me Ma'am"?

good for you & your cat-like reflexes. glad you didn't dislocate your hip or sprain an ankle. MUPs are so much better in winter

trailangel

You would have a more controlled stop if you had disc brakes on your bike. I hear they can stop on a dime. Consider upgrading to wonderful disc brakes.

You should have asked them if they liked senior citizens....

jefnvk

I'd apologise for my inability to operate my bike in a safe manner. That is the only right answer in this situation. I'm not going to sit around pretending I never break MUP rules, but I certainly will own up if I do and I cause an issue.

I dunno, I find pedaling through a foot and a half of snow to be quite difficult. Plus, then you gotta deal with the pretentious entitled cross country skiers

mi.tom

Take your dang earbuds out / turn down your music so you can hear me!!!

carl7

A loud bell has helped me a lot on MUP's.

rumrunn6

lol, yeah but just a cpl inches is not bad, or plain old ice

ptempel

Good on you @Mark42 for being able to avoid the good looking joggers. Maybe a pro and con list might be in order for MUPs:

Pros:
- Great eye candy as the OP noticed. Especially in the summer.
- Don't have to worry about cars hitting you.
- Could meet different people like joggers if you're so inclined.
- Depending on how well maintained, the MUP can be as smooth or smoother than the road.
- Can get a different view depending where the MUP goes. (ex: The Hudson Greenway has nice river view).
- Less chance of getting traffic tickets. But the Greenway does have lights midtown and lower Manhattan. So might still be possible to be forced into an involuntary $190 donation to the city...

Cons:
- Too much slower non cycling trafic (joggers, rollerbladers, dog walkers, etc).
- If not maintained, then the road can be smoother than the MUP. The northern sections of the Hudson Greenway in Manhattan fall into this category.
- Will most likely be a slower commute than the road.
- Can be out of the way depending where you need to go.
- Might be windier depending on the weather. The Greenway can get windy since its right next to the river.

1989Pre 

"I'm sorry, my friend, I need to re-assess my values in life. I now realize that I am creating an unsafe and unpleasant experience for all I share the woods with by riding my bike fast on hiking trails. From now on, I will take John Muir's advice and '...walk softly in the wilderness'."