A crazy morning.
 

On my weekday rides, I ride to a local park that has a 2.5 mile MUP around the perimeter. I do two loops and then head back.

On weekends I avoid this MUP (particularly on Saturdays) since it is very crowded and most are not well behaved.

On this mornings ride I saw more issue than I had ever previously encountered in one day.

1. As I was approaching the park I noticed a Ninja cyclists run the red light to get to the MUP
2. Multiiple walkers dressed head to toe in black
3. A second Ninja cyclist on MUP
4. Two folks walking dogs off leash
5. Multiple piles of dog s#$t left on the MUP

All of this was between ~ 6:40-7:20a. The earlier time is quite dark, with the latter about ten minutes before sun rise. Portions of the MUP are fairly well lit, but others are blind corners with no lights in the vicinity.

I ride this trail 4-5 times a week, usually at about the same time. Pedestrians in black (or dark colors) are usually the only issue, but with my light I can see them early enough to avoid with no problems and I try to limit my speed on the MUP to less than 10-12mph.

The Ninja cyclists were a problem since they were going in the opposite direction and I would estimate their speed at closer to 16-18mph. We closed very fast and I didn't have as much notice they were there. Which only caused one close call when they came around a dog walker into my path.

I just don't understand people. Being selfish enough to not care about the safety of others is something I've come to expect. But being so careless with one's own safety (running red light on moderately busy street, wearing black to walk in the dark on a MUP)...

I just don't understand how people can be so stupid.:notamused:

If more mornings were like this, I would need to find an alternative daily route.

That is why MUPs are dangerous.

this interests me a lot . i would think you have it backwards. why would you care if someone is careless with their own safety? how is that any of your concern or business? if i'm only endangering myself, what concern is it to anyone else? i take other's safety into consideration, and i try to not affect others with my actions. but i could care less what happens to me or what consequences i would suffer, and i couldn't care less if i die. my safety is of little to no concern to me, so why should you care? if you do something that could injure me, i'm concerned. if you do something that will only result in your possible death, i couldn't care less.

that is how i view things. i find it odd that people take such interest in the self destructive or potentially self harmful actions of others.

as for the "ninja cyclists," you would probably consider me one. i am aware and competent and confident in my skills and abilities enough to know i can avoid walkers, cyclists, drivers, pets, and other obstacles. it is entirely possible, and probable, they know what they are doing and don't pose as much of a threat as you perceive.

please please please don't take this as a personal attack or that i'm trying to pick a fight. i am genuinely and sincerely interested in why people think like this.

I think you misunderstood my post, or perhaps I wasn't clear. It is not so much that I care about people who have no regard for their own safety as I can't understand it, I don't. Doing something that puts others at risk is a result of some combination of stupidity, arrogance, lazyiness, etc... None of those qualities surprise me in people anymore. I just expect people would be more concerned with their own safety. I'm not talking risk taking behavior (extreme sports, bungee jumping, etc..), but simply stupid acts. For instance, a pretty significant portion of this trail is near pitch black with many blind corners. Walking the trail in dark clothing or riding it without lights are likely to cause collisions. If you don't care about the other parties, fine. But why put yourself at risk? One would presume that self preservation would outweigh stupidity, arrogance or sheer laziness, but I guess that is expecting too much.

I think most people don't give it a second thought.

thanks for clarifying, i understand what you are saying...

i can only offer....what you consider risky, your level of risk, is different than what others consider risky or dangerous, again based off others' perceived abilities and knowledge, etc. to them riding in the dark without lights around blind corners isn't as big a risk as it would be to you or me. i'm not saying they they can or can't pull it off, i'm saying they don't see it as being as big a risk as you do. i ride a fixed gear with no brakes. i don't consider it risky, i can control my bike and i know what i can and can't do. others see i have no brakes and think i'm gambling with my life. it comes down to perception i think.

and thanks for the interesting discussion.

Probably because most people seem incapable of generating even the first thought.