Thunder Dan

So I’ve posted several threads on my experiences with imbecile MUP users on my commute to and from work. Not all those that posted to the threads agreed with my stance, and while I support your right to express your opinion, you’re wrong. I decided to conduct an independent study this weekend that involved taking a different approach to my MUP use. The weather was gorgeous, and I had my 3 year old for the weekend, which meant no riding for me. I decided to pull out his long neglected jogging stroller. Turns out it had been ravaged by squirrels, one of which bounded out of the rafters and off the back of my neck before leaping out the hole he had bored in the side of my shed. So, after having went out and bought a new stroller I was able to drive it and us out to the entrance of hell on earth, the MUP.

What I realized is that the MUP is even worse than I thought. It had been a long time since I had experienced it from the point of view of one on foot, and what I saw shocked me. These people are even more ignorant than I thought! I was harried by dogs, hindered by doddering fools, and assailed by unattended children. My MUP is home to many trail side picnic areas and grassy spreads, and yet they were all vacant as their potential users were clogging up my path of egress. By the end of my run (what a cruel and horrible past time), I felt as is if the surrounding trees were closing down on me as the MUP zombies descended upon me in an attempt to leech logic and reason from my vast store. While I certainly have plenty to spare, the thought chilled me and I picked up my pace and rescued both my son and I from our imminent demise.

The MUP is a scary place, folks, and running an equally scary sport. It seems that people just really have a difficult time establishing a natural flow of traffic on the MUP. I know it can be done, you see it in places like Beirut, Bangkok, and Grand Central, so why not on the MUP? I was quite abashed at being part of the offending masses, and provided every cyclist I saw with greater berth than normal. I really wish I worn my Castelli track jacket or something else to signal that I knew the score, but to them I must have appeared as just another potential threat. Carry on MUP users, things aren’t getting any better out there…probably only worse.

1955

Here we go.

roadiejorge 

Energy is better spent finding somewhere better to ride than complaining.

Homebrew01

I guess you need a SUP

Ratfish

Hard to imagine that things didn't work out between you and your former significant other.

Thunder Dan

Low blow. Guess its no suprise when you're incapable of engaging in an intelligent dialogue.

Thunder Dan

If that single user is me, then I'm all for it.

Ratfish

Don't paint the bullseye on your chest if you can't handle the result.

powpow

You don't like the MUP? Go somewhere else. Sounds like you need something to whine about.

ridethepanther

I'd rather read Thunder Dan's MUP threads than some of the other crap on here. At least the dude can write.

mattm

MUPs are for strollers, not cyclists.

Thunder Dan

While I should thank you for presenting me with an opportunity to sharpen my rapier wit upon a lesser opponent, I really don't see how your sophomoric retort really adds to the thread. Feel free to shoot at the correct bulls eye, or take your bow and arrow else where.

seb1041

You're right but you can't do nothing about it.

Go find a new route.

kyriefurro

Heck yeah. He even uses periods, and paragraphs, and everything!

Thunder Dan

Using that logic, you shouldn't be in this thread.

Rutnick

I'd rather read something about chamois cream than another Thunder Dan posting on MUPs.

Thunder Dan

It would appear that some of you are still clumsily fumbling with the narrative I’ve provided you. While I hesitate to take the time to point out the obvious, (a) you take me more seriously than I take myself and (b) the story was an effort to say the MUP may be a lost cause for cyclist and ped alike. Call it whining if you wish, but its an observation, and a fairly accurate one at that.

Brandy

I was thinking about your threads yesterday while I was riding on PCH...adjacent to our beautiful beach MUP. I was wondering...what are the speed limits on your MUP? Ours are posted at 10mph MAX and 5mph when there are pedestrians. Many MUP's just aren't meant for us. We create a hazard with our speeds because really...how many of us ride at 10mph or ever think about slowing down to 5mph?

powpow

Brilliant comeback.

Thunder Dan

Not until you've read what I have to say about chamois cream.

DScott

Cute kid! I think it's so cool that young kids actually go outside once in a while. Before you know it, they'll realize there are different choices for feeling good about themselves that don't come from a keyboard or a screen.

Thunder Dan

Ours is actually 15 mph. I think this is to accommodate the little access vehicles that routinely patrol the pathways. I’ll have to look next time I go through, but I don’t think there are any posted reductions in the speed limit along the path, but I can’t comment with 100% certainty. Also, I agree with you on the speed reduction comment.

Brandy

The only time I hit the beach MUP is pre-dawn. The only people out at that time are other cyclists or runners and the path is wide enough for us to negotiate each other safely. Otherwise, I avoid it like the plague.

Thunder Dan

I am almost hesitant to say this as the get-the-eff-off-the-MUPers may think I've succumb to complacency, but I have curtailed how often I use the MUP. On a nice morning when I have time to kill before work (read rarely) I’ll amble through and make friends among the cute female runner contingent, but I’ve eliminated it as a avenue of routine safe and convenient passage.

Thunder Dan

Thanks!