Bikepathaletes (Denver)

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

You know who I'm talking about, you've seen them, maybe you are even one of them. I moved to Denver from Minneapolis at the beginning of this year and started commuting by bike to work at the beginning of March, as the weather has gotten warmer more people are out on my usual commute and that's expected, but what's really surprising to me is the sheer stupidity of some of these people.

When I'm riding home from work on the Cherry Creek trail around 6-7pm there's a really bad mix of you name it they're all out there. Worst offenders are the roadies that don't announce that their coming up behind at 28mph, totally oblivious to the fact that their are many others on the trail that cannot react on a bike like a cat. Now, don't get it twisted, to put it simply I'm a "roadie" as well, but these Denver roadies have absolutely no manners, and I've ridden in much more congested cites than this one. Just last week somebody told me that one of them took out a woman on the trail because they came flying down one of those on/off ramps to the trail at mach speed without taking into consideration the traffic that they were about to merge into.

Really disappointing Denver, really.

 

[Wallace]

You know who I'm talking about, you've seen them, maybe you are even one of them. I moved to Denver from Minneapolis at the beginning of this year and started commuting by bike to work at the beginning of March, as the weather has gotten warmer more people are out on my usual commute and that's expected, but what's really surprising to me is the sheer stupidity of some of these people.

When I'm riding home from work on the Cherry Creek trail around 6-7pm there's a really bad mix of you name it they're all out there. Worst offenders are the roadies that don't announce that their coming up behind at 28mph, totally oblivious to the fact that their are many others on the trail that cannot react on a bike like a cat. Now, don't get it twisted, to put it simply I'm a "roadie" as well, but these Denver roadies have absolutely no manners, and I've ridden in much more congested cites than this one. Just last week somebody told me that one of them took out a woman on the trail because they came flying down one of those on/off ramps to the trail at mach speed without taking into consideration the traffic that they were about to merge into.

Really disappointing Denver, really.

I live in Seattle and we have this really nice thing, the Burke-Gilman trail, and converted railbed that runs all along the north side up to the suburbs--it's a great way to avoid traffic on your way out to less congested, real riding roads. In the summer kids sell lemonade on the side. I can't tell you how many times I've been spinning along warming up, and some clown on a tt bike in full tuck has gone hammering past me, or a bunch of guys all over the road, racing through moms with kids in strollers, joggers, etc. It's insanely dangerous and annoying. The Burke-Gilman is the road you take to the places where you go fast, not the place you go fast.

 

[MarkvW]

I live in Seattle and we have this really nice thing, the Burke-Gilman trail, and converted railbed that runs all along the north side up to the suburbs--it's a great way to avoid traffic on your way out to less congested, real riding roads. In the summer kids sell lemonade on the side. I can't tell you how many times I've been spinning along warming up, and some clown on a tt bike in full tuck has gone hammering past me, or a bunch of guys all over the road, racing through moms with kids in strollers, joggers, etc. It's insanely dangerous and annoying. The Burke-Gilman is the road you take to the places where you go fast, not the place you go fast.

I am in absolute agreement. Fools go way to fast and are way too reckless on the Burke-Gilman. They treat the pedestrians like the bad car drivers treat bicyclists. The posers don't even really go that fast.

 

[ustabe]

I've noticed it too. Well, maybe it isn't quite as bad in Boulder, where it's easier to get to open road where the real training can begin. But where I'm from roadies used the multi-use path for warm-ups, cool-downs, and enjoying the scenery.

 

[rgmerk]

This really damages our image

My partner doesn't ride (yet... ) but experiences this kind of behaviour when walking to work on shared paths, and plenty of other people have told me similar stories.

The vast majority of shared paths simply aren't suitable for training speeds, particularly at busy times, and cyclists who persist in using this way are putting pedestrians at risk and giving the rest of us a bad name.

Whether we like it or not, putting on lycra and going out on a road bike identifies us as part of the roadie tribe, and what each individual does reflects - for better or worse - on everyone else.

 

[marathon marke]

We have a similar problem on the paved bike paths in SE Wisconsin, but not quite as bad as it sounds some of you guys have. I'm a roadie, and I use the path often. But I ALWAYS alert every person that I'm "on your left" and I keep my speed down. I like to use the path for warming up or cooling down, as I head towards my usual training roads, or on those days when I'm just out for a leisurely recovery spin. To use them for fast riding, especially those that apply the full aero tuck in their TT bike, is just plain stupid.

 

[Aristarchus]

Multi-use paths are just completely unsuitable for training. They're for casual rides, and it's nice to enjoy the scenery around here. Where I live (Ottawa region of Canada) the paths are supposed to have a speed limit of 20 kph, though I grant that most folks tend to go faster than this, myself included. When in congested areas, though, even 20 kph seems too fast!

While cyclists know what is coming on front of them, those folks ahead of us don't. Bells are mandatory for bikes here, but being able to hear them is not (in-line skaters wearing iPods, zig-zagging across the both lanes...yeah)
So cyclists need to be very careful out there. A lot of the responsibility for safety ends up on us.

Bottom line is, if you're serious enough about cycling that you are training, then it might be worthwhile to find a quiet stretch of road where you can lay the hammer down, at will.

 

[ustabe]

The vast majority of shared paths simply aren't suitable for training speeds, particularly at busy times, and cyclists who persist in using this way are putting pedestrians at risk and giving the rest of us a bad name.

Whether we like it or not, putting on lycra and going out on a road bike identifies us as part of the roadie tribe, and what each individual does reflects - for better or worse - on everyone else.

Zactly. The multi-use path is the place to gear down, relax, and be friendly, especially when other people are around.

 

[mewmewmew13]

Boulder's Creek Bike Path is bad too. Not so much on the outskirts east of town but downtown and along the campus. Way too many speeding. Unpredictable behavior by strolling folks, joggers, dogwalkers etc combined with the crazy speeders and someone gets hurt....
I wish people could just slow down.

IMO most serious roadies just hit the roads and get out of town. When I commute I try to take the side streets and not the paths...

Makes me sad when some have no respect

 

[Oldman]

I am in absolute agreement. Fools go way to fast and are way too reckless on the Burke-Gilman. They treat the pedestrians like the bad car drivers treat bicyclists. The posers don't even really go that fast.

I was spinning in team kit a couple of days ago when trail traffic was light and some guy decided to draft while in his aero position. I looked back to acknowledge him and he nodded and stayed put. My policy is to slow based on the risk, particularly when passing families with kids on bikes or anything that feels like an unpredictable situation. Two pedestrian groups where approaching from different directions and met, blocking the trail. I slowed to a manageable "near stop" and this guy starts swearing because he almost crashed. His bottle cage was on the back of his saddle as are many of the risk taking tt'ers I've seen.

 

[ustabe]

IMO most serious roadies just hit the roads and get out of town. When I commute I try to take the side streets and not the paths...

I don't live in Boulder, so I'm always getting lost when I'm on the paths. I prefer the secondary feeders for getting in and out of town. They usually have lanes and the traffic isn't too fast or busy.

 

[ustabe]

Two pedestrian groups where approaching from different directions and met, blocking the trail. I slowed to a manageable "near stop" and this guy starts swearing because he almost crashed. His bottle cage was on the back of his saddle as are many of the risk taking tt'ers I've seen.

Only fools ride paths in a way that they can't get to the brakes quickly.

 

[Boeing]

You know who I'm talking about, you've seen them, maybe you are even one of them. I moved to Denver from Minneapolis at the beginning of this year and started commuting by bike to work at the beginning of March, as the weather has gotten warmer more people are out on my usual commute and that's expected, but what's really surprising to me is the sheer stupidity of some of these people.

When I'm riding home from work on the Cherry Creek trail around 6-7pm there's a really bad mix of you name it they're all out there. Worst offenders are the roadies that don't announce that their coming up behind at 28mph, totally oblivious to the fact that their are many others on the trail that cannot react on a bike like a cat. Now, don't get it twisted, to put it simply I'm a "roadie" as well, but these Denver roadies have absolutely no manners, and I've ridden in much more congested cites than this one. Just last week somebody told me that one of them took out a woman on the trail because they came flying down one of those on/off ramps to the trail at mach speed without taking into consideration the traffic that they were about to merge into.

Really disappointing Denver, really.

it is alive and well here in the OC in SoCal.

we also get the group of inline skaters bunch rolling behing a rider and it sucks like no other

there is a Koreen Church by the back bay trail near UCI. a few years ago Bike Path guy roared through at 20mph and struck and killed a older lady walking attending church near the path. She was getting air with friends and in her late 60's I believe.

I usually spin on the path and it amazes the speed people pass by

same dudes who pass on the right on PCH when you are moving out from red to green at an intersection

 

[The Gnome]

RDV4Roub is right...I lived in Denver about a decade ago for six months and rode those bike paths...terrible sorts of roadies out there on the one he is specifically talking about and others...actually, I found alot of Denver riders to be pretty obnoxious...must be something about that cow town with its trendy dreams...not sure...highly doubt if things will change as it seems like it is a long term thing...

 

[DirtyWorks]

You know who I'm talking about, you've seen them, maybe you are even one of them. I moved to Denver from Minneapolis at the beginning of this year and started commuting by bike to work at the beginning of March, as the weather has gotten warmer more people are out on my usual commute and that's expected, but what's really surprising to me is the sheer stupidity of some of these people.

When I'm riding home from work on the Cherry Creek trail around 6-7pm there's a really bad mix of you name it they're all out there. Worst offenders are the roadies that don't announce that their coming up behind at 28mph, totally oblivious to the fact that their are many others on the trail that cannot react on a bike like a cat. Now, don't get it twisted, to put it simply I'm a "roadie" as well, but these Denver roadies have absolutely no manners, and I've ridden in much more congested cites than this one. Just last week somebody told me that one of them took out a woman on the trail because they came flying down one of those on/off ramps to the trail at mach speed without taking into consideration the traffic that they were about to merge into.

Really disappointing Denver, really.

Similar phenomena, different city, Santa Monica, all the way down to Hermosa Beach. When the family and I are riding segments of the bike path on the weekends, there's always a few faster riders coming through silently. I've got the family trained to ride a straight line regardless, so they are confident, but the rest are not and I have no doubt it makes riding kind of intimidating for the masses.

Another pet peeve, during early hours enthusiasts don't say hello to each other. There's just not many of us in L.A.

IMHO, we need a sticky post describing good, friendly etiquette.

 

[Hugh Januss]

Yeah that sort of behavior is stupid, but on the other hand why is there no such thing as a Bike Path? Why is every one built as narrow as a sidewalk? Where is the sign that says "Bike jogging speedwalking aerobicizing dogwalking on expandaleash rollerblading scooter riding walking along in groups talking and being oblivious to all other path users Path"? I think the only sign that Caltrans doen't make is the one that says Bikes Only. In almost every high population area bike paths are rendered almost unusable for getting from one place to another by bike due to the volume of other traffic. The only bikepaths that are generally usable are ones that are out of the city areas where car traffic is much lighter anyway on the adjacent streets. I generally take my chances with automobiles instead.

 

[Oldman]

Yeah that sort of behavior is stupid, but on the other hand why is there no such thing as a Bike Path? Why is every one built as narrow as a sidewalk? Where is the sign that says "Bike jogging speedwalking aerobicizing dogwalking on expandaleash rollerblading scooter riding walking along in groups talking and being oblivious to all other path users Path"? I think the only sign that Caltrans doen't make is the one that says Bikes Only. In almost every high population area bike paths are rendered almost unusable for getting from one place to another by bike due to the volume of other traffic. The only bikepaths that are generally usable are ones that are out of the city areas where car traffic is much lighter anyway on the adjacent streets. I generally take my chances with automobiles instead.

The Burke-Gilman trail was one of the first Rails to Trails easements and over time became very popular because it goes from urban Seattle to pastoral valleys. Most serious racers know that this is a polite commuter zone and families rule as well as unpredictable movement. Off hours it is nice to ride fast but much above 25 and you risk going off responding to sudden risks. Riders should respect it more and I think many honestly try. Note to any rider: if you ride a sponsor's kit imagine having a funding conversation with the recipient of complaints. It may not be you; it could be the four wannabes sitting on your wheel and straining to hold it while scaring the citizens.

 

[Cervelo77]

Multi-use paths are just completely unsuitable for training. They're for casual rides, and it's nice to enjoy the scenery around here. Where I live (Ottawa region of Canada) the paths are supposed to have a speed limit of 20 kph, though I grant that most folks tend to go faster than this, myself included. When in congested areas, though, even 20 kph seems too fast!

I'm in the same region and tend to take in easy on the bike paths, aiming for something in the 25 -30 km/h range. Definitely when I see families out walking or with kids I slow down. Nobody wants to smoke a 5 year old.
The roadies without bells on their bikes drive me nuts. Really, a small bell isn't going to do anything other than allow you to signal to pedestrians and other cyclists you're passing. Or at least signal to parents who can make sure their kids don't wander into the passing side of the path.

Another pet peeve: People along the bike paths that do not shoulder check before passing someone in front of them. Sometimes someone IS coming from behind at more than your 18 km/h casual biker.

 

[saronni 9]

Rdv4

Aggreed. That part f the path is a nightmare. You might know this, but if you go north from REI you can hook up with the clear creek path which is usually empty and will take you almost to the foot of Lookout mtn. Another spot is just off the path at the I270 Frontage road is great for intervals if that is you thing. Still the best are the climbs up in Boulder. Flagstaff, Sunshine, magnolia and sugarloaf. Welcome to Colorado.
Saronni 9

 

[slippyB]

These stories/experiences are definitely a bummer. I live/ride in denver and see that stuff too. And I've lived/ridden in other cities (including the twin cities, and while better than denver...there were still plenty of a-hole offenders) and seen the same behavior. Roadies and tri-guys hammering it out on the paths.

The only time i do any sort of interval work on paths is in the early morning and even then...these are paths that are more/less vacant from 5-7am. And I always slow up and provide a courteous "hello/on the left" if I do come across someone.

We also need to be more courteous to cars in traffic. I was riding just North of Washington Park on a sidewalk/path (adjacent to Downing St.) when a roadie/commuter blew past me right before a path stop-sign where the path intersects the street. The street traffic also has a stop sign and an SUV was clearly at the stop sign first...he blew through the path stop-sign and yelled at the SUV driver b/c he/she had started to roll forward. What a fine ambassador to our cause...yikes.

 

[elapid]

Multi-use paths are just completely unsuitable for training. They're for casual rides, and it's nice to enjoy the scenery around here. Where I live (Ottawa region of Canada) the paths are supposed to have a speed limit of 20 kph, though I grant that most folks tend to go faster than this, myself included. When in congested areas, though, even 20 kph seems too fast!

While cyclists know what is coming on front of them, those folks ahead of us don't. Bells are mandatory for bikes here, but being able to hear them is not (in-line skaters wearing iPods, zig-zagging across the both lanes...yeah)
So cyclists need to be very careful out there. A lot of the responsibility for safety ends up on us.

Bottom line is, if you're serious enough about cycling that you are training, then it might be worthwhile to find a quiet stretch of road where you can lay the hammer down, at will.

I live in Ottawa as well and love the bike path network. I use the paths when I am commuting, on non-training rides (i.e., shopping or meeting friends downtown), and to get to training ride locations such as the Gatineaus. I find that people are mostly good and respectful on our pathways. The inline skaters wearing earphones are the most problematic because they take up both lanes and don't hear your bell or shouting "on your left". I often train on a road parallel to one of the pathways (because I am riding faster than the 20kph speed limit on the pathway) and have been abused by car drivers telling me to ride on the pathway. That's just the way it goes and driver education may help that problem, but on the whole I find the users of our pathway system (walk, run, ride, skate) to be quite respectful.

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

People who commute on their aero bars, BOO!

Joggers who run right down the middle of the path, BOO!

Rollerbladers wide striding and swinging arms all over the place, BOO!

shall I continue? For fuck sake, I'm bout to loose my mind on that Cherry Creek BS trail, unfortunately there's no better alternative back to my house.

 

[Boeing]

People who commute on their aero bars, BOO!

Joggers who run right down the middle of the path, BOO!

Rollerbladers wide striding and swinging arms all over the place, BOO!

shall I continue? For fuck sake, I'm bout to loose my mind on that Cherry Creek BS trail, unfortunately there's no better alternative back to my house.

typically the guy running in the middle of the path is 'likes to fight guy' so be warned


do those gas powered scooters run at altitude? they are on the path here a bit and it is freaky

 

[Granville57]

Throughout New England there are some beautiful "Rails to Trails." One of them brings me to within a mile of my house and I often use it to wind down and get home after a long ride. With a river to cross over, the alternative is often a lengthy detour on busy, poorly maintained roads.

I'm a roadie, and I use the path often. But I ALWAYS alert every person that I'm "on your left" and I keep my speed down.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I have found that EASILY 90 percent of the time if I call out "On the left!" people invariably MOVE to the left!. I can't explain it but it happens time, and time, and time again. So I always announce myself and then wait for the "left...doh!...right" dance. Is it just me?

The only bikepaths that are generally usable are ones that are out of the city areas where car traffic is much lighter anyway on the adjacent streets. I generally take my chances with automobiles instead.

The popular bike path is, without a doubt, the most dangerous part of my ride. Wannabe roadies with something to prove; families with no control of their kids or dogs; pedestrians walking 5-wide; squirrels and chipmunks darting across the path...it keeps me on high alert for a 10 to 15 mile stretch. I'm much less nervous on a 45mph descent by myself.

I often train on a road parallel to one of the pathways (because I am riding faster than the 20kph speed limit on the pathway) and have been abused by car drivers telling me to ride on the pathway.

On the flip side of this:
There is a two mile stretch of pan-flat, 2-lane road through farm land that I travel everyday to work. The road has zero space for a shoulder. There is a bike path parallel to the road and separated by about 5 feet of grass. There is no speed limit on the path, and this section is rarely occupied by anyone other than an occasional jogger. When I commute by bike I always, always use the path for this stretch of road. But quite often, I'll see cyclists riding the road instead and holding up traffic. It's insane and makes no sense to me.

It annoys the drivers, gives cyclists a bad rep, and is dangerous for everyone involved. GET ON THE DAMN PATH! This particular section holds none of the previously mentioned drawbacks—it has great visibility; it's in a desolate area so is rarely used by anyone else; I've never seen any kind of animal near this section. I don't get it. Do the "serious" cyclists (those fatty, lycra dudes with rear-view mirrors and 1-yr-old carbon frames) feel the path is beneath their inner Jens Voigt?

But I also see senior citizens on cruisers, and kids on BMX bikes holding up traffic. I don't blame drivers for getting ticked. Sometimes I'm one of those drivers. Anyone could effortless cross the grass divider and enjoy the safety and freedom of the path. And yet...

 

[saronni 9]

RDV4, Where do you live in Denver? As I said the Cherry Creek path is the worst. I would rather ride on side streets. I have heard about actual fistfights happening on that part of the path. If you haven't yet you should try ridding to lookout mtn on the clear creek path. You will be surprised at how few people use it plus you can fill up your bottles at the wheatridge rec center.
Take Care