Anger on the MUP!
 

I got yelled at! Called a *******. Me...45 years in the saddle. Sure, Torchy Pedan yelled at me for not wearing my helmet on the track. I was in the wrong for sure. Changing my line in numerous races got plenty of derogatory remarks, but thats racing.

But there I was, Saturday afternoon. .beautiful weather, the MUP looking well manicured. I go to pass a slower cyclist. As I venture into the oncoming lane I see a guy 100 yards ahead moving towards me. I jam a few pedal strokes to pass the slow moving cyclist and back into my lane with 20 yds to spare before the oncoming cyclist passes. And as he passes he yells "*******". What? What did I do? I pulled off a perfect pass of a slower cyclist executed with a dash of souplesse.

Later down the path a similar situation occurred with an oncoming rider passing a slower rider. His timing was not as good as mine and he ended up partly in my lane. We passed each other closely but there was no issue. I didnt think anything of it.

I have notuced a certain anger out on the roads and paths. Arent we all out doing pretty much the same thing? Can't we all just get along?

Ummmmm .... :foo:

I think people in general seems to be more angry, not everyone of course. My wife and I are almost always relaxed and happy and enjoy life as much as possible. My mom has lived in the same house for almost 50 years, and just the last few some people get mad at her because they have to slow down for a few seconds, while she turns in her driveway! It is a small 2 lane road and has always been busy, but everyone use to be more respectful. She is in her 70's, and she has had horns blown, and rude gestures and language. She doesn't even drive that slow. She always does the speed limit out of respect for everyone else. What is wrong with some people?

Yes, there is a bit of obvious anger and intolerance out there. Cycling paths and roadways aren't any different.

When I was growing up, the old adage of "If you can't say something nice then don't say anything at all" still held true, mostly. These days, not nearly so much. And, more and more, it seems that those few who are willing to loudly vent their frustrations are more willing to get violent about it.

One thing I try to do, these days more than ever: maintain my distance and space, and to control my own speed/motions to better telegraph my intentions. That's about all one can do, to help reduce the likelihood of running into one of the knee-jerk intolerant types out there (or to reduce the likelihood that those sorts will get cranked over something we do near them).

Ride on the road. Problem solved.

Yep, there is a path for a good portion of my base route. But it's got too many hazards. Slow riders that don't hold a line, people walking , kids, dogs, fishermen swinging poles, blind entrances for driveways, goathead thorns, cars parked illegally, etc.

So I ride the road and put up with the ignorant, ranting drivers that honk and yell at me for legally (in Utah) riding on the road.

I found when I was first recovering from a debilitating injury, I was a lot more jumpy (and vocal) about stuff like this. Irrationally so, in some cases.

Probably the rider was insecure about his own abilities.

Motor vehicle drivers will still yell and horn at you - same issue.

Did you wave?

Souplesse. That is my favorite cycling word....." Souplesse is the perfect storm of Looking Pro; harmony between grace and power, casual and deliberate. It speaks of the entire organism, the perfectly manicured machine together with the perfectly refined position and technique of its rider." When I ride this is my goal.

Just call out "Avada Kadava" in your best Voldomort Impression
 

That normally shows them how stupid they are.

MUP's on the weekend? Whaddya expect?

Assuming that you were going 20 mph and the other rider was going 15, you were closing at 17 yards per second. That 20 yards "to spare" was too close for comfort. MUPs on weekends are no place for aggressive riding.

It could have been slower, all the speeds scaled down four or five mph, we don't really know from OP, but it's still under a couple of seconds. You're right it's no place to ride aggressively and on weekends, here anyway, that's unfortunately the norm. Slower riders included, riding double on turns, passing on turns, splitting with oncoming while passing. I've seen people just lose it and take to shouting instructions at everyone they come across. That doesn't really work either :lol:

My point being, if we ride on busy MUP's on the weekends, we might as well just get ready for it because it's going to happen. Problematic passing, newbies everywhere, and someone losing their cool and yelling at people.

No-hands on the MUP is scariest of all.:eek:

I am still trying to figure out what OP got called on the MUP. You can say ass hole in here so I figure it's something different.

Any way to clue me in?

p.s. since OP sounds like a serious road cyclist, I think best strategy is to avoid MUP during peak use times. It's just more trouble than it's worth IMO.

Folks who prefer the MUP tend to do so because they're intimidated by traffic, or may have suffered some deterioration of physical and sensory abilities that hinder their reflexes, strength and/or depth perception.

I've been fussed at on the MUP, once by a pedestrian and once by a cyclist. After chatting with them I realized they had some physical or mental challenges and they simply perceived the world differently. The cyclist was inexperienced and unsteady. I sympathized because I felt the same way when I first resumed cycling in 2015, after 30 years away. It took awhile to get comfortable on the MUP, which is only sidewalk-width in most places. Unfortunately most of our paved MUP really isn't suitable for cycling. It's just an ordinary sidewalk, much too narrow for the usage it receives.

The pedestrian seemed to have a mild psychiatric disorder, and he seemed to need more of a personal space buffer. I didn't suggest that he walk off the paved path and on the manicured grass, or the wider gravel/chat trail, although that's what some pedestrians and joggers do to give themselves more distance from cyclists. I just thanked him for taking a moment to talk with me about his concerns.

And it did influence how I approach and pass all pedestrians and joggers on the trail. I just assume they're all hearing impaired and may be startled enough to lose their balance and fall. So I usually slow to a speed just slightly faster than their walking/jogging speed and announce myself in a normal tone of voice. If they don't acknowledge me, I just pass fairly slowly.

In some respects it's been good for my conditioning. It forces me to sprint more often after I pass slower users.

But mostly I avoid the MUP unless it's the only practical way to get from one city street to another.

Exactly.

I hate seeing the "King Of the Mup" types on the weekend.

The OP really didn't do anything wrong, but he/she should just let it pass.

There are a lot of unhappy people out there and it's best to ignore them.

I'm glad that I live in an area where MUP's are an absolute last resort for riding. I'd honestly rather shave off my nipples than ride a MUP.

Agree 100%. And avoid MUP during popular times.

Good lord, let it go. Someone didnt like how you passed and said something.
move on.

taking to a message board over a perceived injustice as minor as this is a time when we should all step back and appreciate how fortunate we are to have such an inane topic be what we focus on for a few minutes.

such unimportant discussion means we are doing quite well in life and blessings should be counted.

Yes....I ride the MUP during the week but I never ride it on the weekend. Only on the road for my safety during the weekends.