Wow. You totally mistook every single word I said. The one thing I don't like about forums is you can't SEE the body language or mannerisms of the person behind the keyboard. Much is lost in the translation.

I didn't say "Thanks," like 'thanks you jerks' and stick my tongue out. I said thanks with a huge grin on my face trying to contain laughter. I was simply thanking them for amusing the hell outta me.

The point of that 'exercise' was that I WAS having fun with them. I just happen to find fun in confusing other people (apparently I did a number on you ;) ).

I know that when I'm on that trail, that I will come across these 'herds' every so often. It doesn't really bother me all that much because we both belong there, but I still like to have a little fun with the "on your left" dancers.

So go back, reread my post, and see that it was all in good fun.

OFFICIAL MUP EVALUATION (BETA)

Okay, so today I did an "official" MUP Evaluation using a Beta test on a new evaluation form!

Results:

_____________________________________________________________________________

Miles on MUP (Cherry Creek Trail South - Parker) - 16.97 out and back (trail is much longer - did not go anywhere near full length)

Weather -
Start: 50F, wind 0-3 mixed, cloudy
Finish: 57F, wind 3-5 mixed, partly sunny

(Summer Picture Below)
http://members.aol.com/dnvrfox/SVI_0020.JPG

Ground surface - Dry except for small occasional patches of melting snow/ice, cement in excellent condition, 8 feet to 10 feet width of path.

Walkers/joggers without dogs I passed my direction - 4.

Moved to side of trail without signal (heard me coming)- 3;
Moved to side of trail with bell - 1;
Did not move to side of trail - 0

Walkers/joggers with dogs I passed my direction: 4

Moved to side of trail without signal (heard me coming) - 4;
Moved to side of trail with bell - 0;
Did not move to side of trail - 0
Dog on short leash - 4
Dog on long or no leash - 0

Walkers/joggers without dogs passed opposite direction - 6.

Moved to side of trail without signal (saw/heard me coming)- 6;
Moved to side of trail with bell - 0;
Did not move to side of trail - 0

Walkers/joggers with dogs passed opposite direction: 7

Moved to side of trail without signal (heard me coming) - 5;
Moved to side of trail with bell - 2;
Did not move to side of trail - 0
Dogs on short leash - 6
Dogs on long leash - 0
Dogs on no leash (under verbal control) - 1

Other bicyclers seen: 8, all courteous

Bicyclers overtakng me - 0

Inline skater - 1, courteous

Horses - 0

Sounds like a good day on the MUP. I wonder what the difference would be on the weekend. I would think that the people on the trail in the middle of the day during the week are mostly regulars. The "newbies" show up on weekends. Just a thought.

Totally agree, except if you hit the weekend trail before 8:30, it will onlybe regulars or those that know what they are doing. After about 9:00 am, then you get the family walks, etc.

The MUPs here get used a lot by the commuters as they are actually fairly useful for that. The regular peds know better than to be in the middle because it's not uncommon for streams of riders travelling upwards of 25MPH to come flying through. Nevertheless, there have been incidents and at least one recently was fatal. There's been some backlash to having the Burke-Gilman running through some communities and the local population have at times petitioned for it to be closed down in their area. I think that's an over-reaction as just 50 feet to one side of the trail is a 50MPH road that cuts the same path through their neighbourhood. Yes... yes... I know I can't directly compare the two in terms of mixed users and traffic control. However, I think that if all trail users were more mindful of one-another and observed even a modest level of safety, there shouldn't be much of a problem. The trail has existed for many decades and co-existance is possible as long as everyone makes an effort to remain courteous. Extremely fast cycling really doesn't belong on a MUP but the additional problem was that the B-G was originally designated to be strictly a bike-path and not a MUP. The designation was changed later on.

http://www.neebu.net/~khuon/albums/2...e/PICT0021.jpg

Since I reguarly get old geezers wagging their finger at me and reminding me of the speed limit on my local trail (I have not yet had the spare time to stop and ask if they have a radar gun or what?!), I decided it would be okay if I start reminding other trail users of the trail rules, too. So when I encounter a mess like this, I slow down, then shout "bike passing; please stay right", wait for what seems like an hour, and slowly wend my way past, and say thanks as appropriate.

But the best thing to do is avoid MUPs at peak hours and stick to the roads. Especially if you regularly approach or exceed any posted trail speed limits (15 MPH, in my case). You are endangering the peds more than cars would endanger you on the road, and probably cheating yourself out of a good ride anyway. I have to admit though, sometimes it is fun to just chill and take in the eye candy on a busy summer weekend!!!

Yesterday we were riding on a bike/walk/blade path and my girlfriend rung the bell 2x on her hybrid as we approached these older pair of rollerbladers. They got so scared it was almost funny. The woman blader did the panik dance while the guy helped her to the right.

I always slow down and expect them to run/fall right in front of me when I say 'on your left'. Most of the time some dumb blader takes a dive or someone jogging has their headphones cranked up so high they can't hear me and my bars almost hit their fat hips as I go by.

People around here drive their cars slow in the left lane so they have no concept of being passed on their left.

Getting out early & using a bell works for me to. I also have an old set of sewup wheels that has always squealed when I brake & I notice the pedestrians really scatter when I ride these wheels. Something about the noise, even gets through to a lot of the headphone people. Even at low speed I can generate quite a squeal.

Hey, no bad feelings from me intended - while it certainly may appear I was directing comment just at you (as I was reponding to you) it was also for others who do get stressed out by peds (from what I've read on these forums). I did however also somewhat misinterperet what you wrote because of your closing sentence "My motive for doing this was [they didn't know the rules]" Again, all in fun and good discussion.

Al

A bicycle is a vehicle, and as such you have the right to ride on the 'real' road.
Bike or multi-use paths are nice but we don't ride them because they are DANGEROUS!
BTW I've never had a passenger in a car say 'on your left!'

Your experience may be limiting your opinion.

For example, in some places cyclists are required to keep on designated bike paths and off the street.

And some places require cyclists to ride on public sidewalks and off the street.

YMMV