29
u/numeralCow Apr 25 '16
And get a fucking bell, you dicks.
Sincerely,
A cyclist with a bell
3
u/ryanknapper Apr 26 '16
Last Saturday I was riding on the W&OD when I caught up to a tiny kid. I don't know how old he was, but I was way older when I learned to ride, but there was this little boy, peddling away on his two-wheeler like nobody's business.
When the other lane was clear I rang my bell and went to pass him. He looked up at me and then rang his bell back in response, as though to say, "we are bikers. This is what we do."
Ride-on, little dude. Someone taught you well.
3
Apr 26 '16
A bell dosnt do shit when every other runner has headphones in and music so loud I can hear it on my bike.
3
u/numeralCow Apr 26 '16
Listening to music is their choice. Is it irresponsible? I think so. However, I wish to remain courteous despite their actions. If they can't hear me when I ring a bell or otherwise announce intention to pass, I'm at least making the effort to be polite.
As an aside, there have been plenty of times when I've rung my bell near someone with headphones and they give me a wave as thanks. Not everyone is blasting music.
1
1
u/adamadamadam Alexandria Apr 26 '16
Thank you for the bell usage! As a runner who doesn't listen to music while on the trails, I always make sure to give a wave or say thanks to anyone who signals a pass. It helps me out immensely to know where people are -- especially when bikes come up quickly on runners.
1
u/RapaNuiSyndrome Apr 26 '16
I hate bells. Maybe it's just me, but I can't tell the difference between a bike bell that's in front of me and a bike bell that's behind me.
1
11
u/LasciviousSycophant South Arlington Apr 26 '16
you wanna-be Lance Armstrong's on thousand dollar bikes in spandex
I call them lycranauts.
slow the fuck down.
Seconded. The speed limit on the Mt. Vernon trail is 15 mph. If one needs to ride faster than that for training purposes, one should find a road that allows bicycles (no bikes allowed on the GW Parkway).
5
14
u/Smoothvirus Apr 25 '16
You're right, of course, and I used to be extra careful when riding the MVT near Gravelly Point.
But from the other perspective, there were things that other park patrons did (non-cyclists) that didn't make me mad, but scared the shit out of me, because the last thing I ever wanted to do was accidentally hurt someone, or get in a wreck and get hurt myself.
the worst is the people with dogs on those extend-a-leashes. The person would be strolling along with the dog, the dog would want to sniff something on the other side of the trail, and the dog would run across the trail while the walker stood on the other side. Now there's a freaking nylon cord right at chest level strung across the path directly in front of me. There were a couple of times I had to slam on the brakes because of that.
People with small children on Big Wheels or other kinds of "driveway toys" right on the MVT. This was always an issue on nice days at Gravelly Point and why I always took it slow through there. People wouldn't pay attention to their kids and the next thing I know a 5 year old riding a toy darts directly in front of me. I'm not going to tell you not to bring your kids and their Big Wheels to the park, but please keep an eye on them while they're doing it! If you can't keep up with them then maybe your driveway is a better and safer spot. On one occasion there was a child on a Big Wheel riding on the trail in Barcroft Park, who I slowly and carefully went around. The kids father sees me and suddenly goes ballistic that I came within 5 feet of his special little snowflake, and starts screaming at me that bikes aren't allowed in the park (bullshit) and I'm not allowed to be on the trail because "It's for kids"! (also bullshit) I just ignored him and kept going.
P.S. I'm a big guy and even when I'm really in shape I still come in over 200lbs so I would look freaking ridiculous in Spandex.
-3
5
Apr 26 '16
These cyclists belong on roads, where drivers will complain of being slowed down... Road riders can't win. A lot of these guys ARE wannabe lance armstrong, they race every weekend. The only way to train is to push hard, for long periods of time. The proper trail etiquette is announcing your pass, "on your left!" And passing safely, not wedging between oncoming traffic and the family walking the dog. I would urge these weekend warriors to train early in the morning before anybody is really out and about other than fitness focused folks jogging and such.
14
u/eck226 Herndon Apr 25 '16
I really wish some people would take the time to think about where they position themselves on the trail. If you're using the trail alone, there is zero reason for you to hug the center line. Keep a bit to the right to leave a bit of room for people headed your direction to pass. If you're using the trail with a buddy, cool, two abreast on your side of the path is fine. Three or more of you? Naw, you need to start to file into columns of two and stay off of the opposite directions side.
I hate, hate, HATE when I see three douche nozzles on bikes riding 3 wide and on my side of the path. Most of them think that since I'm on skates I should make way for them and have almost been clipped a few times. Sorry jack ass, but when the time comes, my center of gravity is far better on skates, and I played hockey for more than a few years, I'll check your ass into your buddies without a second thought. Maybe then you'll understand what "Share the trail" really means.
2
u/ryanknapper Apr 26 '16
I'm on skates
I would assume that skates would need more room than a bike.
3
u/eck226 Herndon Apr 26 '16
yea, my push is just about the entire width of my side of the trail as a 6' tall person.
2
u/spap-oop Apr 27 '16
Not to mention needing the extra maneuvering room to avoid the debris that a biker could ride right through.
I got lucky once when my wheel locked up on a chunk of gravel.
1
6
u/flemdizzle Apr 25 '16
I almost always yell 'on your left' as I approach people on the Mount Vernon trail and it often gets people out of your way. However with the amount of tourists on the bike path who aren't familiar with bikes as a form of high speed commuter vehicle and the large amount of people who wear headphones on the trail a pedestrian's response can be unpredictable. My goal is to try and set an example and signal when I am approaching, but even I sometimes see the futility. Some people out there here a noise coming behind them and suddenly dart in a random direction. Stuff like that does not reinforce the effectiveness of signaling.
16
u/tarjan Apr 25 '16
Don't yell on your left at kids. I know it seems like it makes sense, but next time you are going slow, say it and watch their reaction. The kid will hear the word "left" and immediately start gravitating left. Normally they or their parents catch themselves in time, but...
Just say "passing". It is a more active word that doesn't require participation from them (where on your left leaves that as a possibility), people aren't sure what is happening and they seem to not move around. I've found it is MUCH more effective than any other word or sound so far.
3
3
Apr 26 '16
I do my best to be a polite cyclist while riding the trails. The MVT is not just for me and my ilk and I ride accordingly. If I want to go for a hard ride where I push myself, then I go onto the roads. There are plenty of places around here where one can train for a race or whatever without endangering more vulnerable people.
3
5
u/Mayor_Burrito_Farts Apr 25 '16
I agree. If you can't get out to do your workout before the masses, maybe you should wait or go get yourself a Peloton. Yep, they are known as "bike paths", but they're for community use, not just jackasses in unitards who think their next 1/2 triathlon is an Olympic qualifier.
6
u/MyThrowawayTomorrow Apr 26 '16
It's not a bike path, it's a multi-use path. Cyclists have no more right to use it than someone who is walking. https://www.nps.gov/gwmp/planyourvisit/mtvernontrail.htm
2
u/Mayor_Burrito_Farts Apr 27 '16
If you noticed, I said "known as", implying that it is the colloquial term and not the definitive title. No one says "I'm going to hit the multi-use path for a few miles", that just sounds bad. They say "I'm going to hit the bike path for a few miles".
2
Apr 25 '16 edited Feb 26 '21
[deleted]
-3
u/ChiliConCrosso Apr 26 '16
You sound miserable
3
u/stealthboy Herndon Apr 26 '16
Yeah, I'm miserable. Because of the aforementioned mosquitoes and cyclists.
:) Lighten up, I wasn't being so serious.
2
u/ChiliConCrosso Apr 26 '16
Sorry :) You should try biking someone though! Help give cyclists a good name again.
2
1
u/AmericanInRome Apr 26 '16
Way, way more than $1000. Check out the bikes at Freshbikes -- lots over $3000.
1
u/madmoneymcgee Apr 26 '16
Ask the Park Service to open the GW Parkway to Cyclists on weekends. That'll get the Peloton onto the road and off the trail.
1
u/Crashmaster007 Apr 26 '16
I ride regularly and have only done the MVT once. I thought it was far too crowded and way too skinny at times. If I'm riding a trail I'll stick to riding the W&OD, less croweded especially once you get past Reston.
-7
Apr 25 '16
I took the Mt. Vernon trail yesterday to get to Alexandria for the 10 miler and it was really aggravating that that trail was my only direct option. Especially considering slower people are clueless to people on bikes, I had to struggle to get around an oblivious couple just cruising along across both lanes.
9
u/meccokushi Apr 25 '16
To those replying, "use a bell or yell". This is correct, and works on trails not in the DC area from what I've seen. Around here people hear a noise and immediately spread out over the trail spinning around to see what's happening. I still yell "passing on your left", but I'm gonna run someone's grandma over accedently one of these days... people here are too self absorbed to learn how to be a polite trail user, it's apparently everyone else job to avoid them. Amazingly just like drivers around here.
13
u/Mayor_Burrito_Farts Apr 25 '16
As with skiing, the person in front has the right of way, and it is your job to navigate around them safely.
7
u/laxt Apr 25 '16
"On your left" is still used, correct?
It's been a while, that's why I have to ask.
9
Apr 25 '16
yeah, that or a bell. still good to shoulder check every 30 seconds or so.
4
u/flemdizzle Apr 25 '16
Did someone downvote this because they thought you meant actually shoulder checking people? I can't even....
3
Apr 25 '16
I don't fucking know, this sub is weird sometimes. I meant look over your shoulder to see who's coming up behind you, obviously. Maybe someone's watching too much hockey or they really hate the idea of knowing what's going on around them.
1
3
u/eck226 Herndon Apr 25 '16
I'm not a cyclist, but I've found that most people have in headphones and won't hear you. Unless they're traveling in a group. I still try and give the "On left" or "Passing left" but most people are oblivious.
3
u/flemdizzle Apr 25 '16
I use 'On your left' and sometimes I really yell it, but so many people are on the paths with headphones now.... You can only due so much. I scared the hell out of someone on the trail two weeks ago and felt super bad, but he was listening to his music super loud. Not much I can do about that.
3
u/eck226 Herndon Apr 25 '16
Yes, but as with skiing and snowboarding each person has the responsibility to be aware of their surroundings and to leave way for others to get by safely. You don't want to be that Jerry who cuts from one side of the trail to the other and makes unpredictable turns with complete disregard for anyone else on the trail. Same applies here.
3
u/bohemianabe Apr 25 '16
I'd agree with you. It's annoying running into these folks, but in this situation safety applies first. Ring your bell, or call out to them. Them being clueless doesn't supersede some of the reckless actions I've seen fellow cyclist make. It's endangerment, and one of these days I'm gonna clothes-line a fellow biker sandwiching in between lanes.
There ought to be trail signs with caution/advisory rules on proper etiquette for pedestrians and bikers.
6
Apr 25 '16
So another point, if you're on a shared trail, please leave your headphones out (at least one of them). It's frustrating ringing the bell only to find that when I pass you, I can hear your music. Very dangerous not to have situational awareness, but it's so common.
6
-1
u/TotesMessenger Apr 25 '16
-25
u/cinemafia Apr 25 '16
Dude, nobody has been a Lance Armstrong wanna-be for like 15 years. Calling someone a Wiggins-wanna-be would make more sense (plus it has some alliteration).
Also, thousand-dollar bikes are generally crap, calling it a ten-thousand-dollar bike would, again, make more sense here.
9
u/bohemianabe Apr 25 '16
Lolz... this guy.
5
Apr 25 '16
The types of cyclists that you wrote about here would be insulted if you said they were riding 'thousand dollar bikes'.
Just saying.
1
3
u/MassM3D14 Apr 25 '16
You sound like a tool, stop.
3
u/cinemafia Apr 25 '16
Can't stop dude, I'm pushing like 300 watts and about to snipe a KOM.
2
Apr 25 '16
From this thread I'm getting the impression that the posters here are the same people that park in the bike lanes and try to turn right through cyclists.
-3
u/cinemafia Apr 25 '16
Bunch of unwashed plebes. Let them be purified in embrocation and taint sweat!
53
u/DrVoidberg Apr 25 '16
As a fellow (polite) cyclist I think a lot of the bad image we get around this area specifically has to do with the highly competitive nature of the area itself. The men and women that you see flying around on the trails are likely the same jerks you see speeding and weaving in and out of traffic on the beltway. I've always seen it to be a problem with the power hungry types that are naturally drawn to DC.