cycling trash

[darkcloud]

Yesterday I was walking along a popular cycling path here in SoCal. Due to the slow pace I was able to pay more attention to my surroundings and was disappointed to notice all of the empty gel packs and blown inner tubes which littered the weeds along the route.
I carry food on my rides and always carry my waste out with me. What's up with all the trash left behind by cyclists? As a cyclist, I find this behavior to be disgusting.
Please, clean up your acts.
DC

 

[ViaPagliano]

Totally agree. I live in SoCal, as well and I see tons of GU packages, inner tubes, and CO2 canisters along my rides.

The cleaner we keep our roadways, the more the local authorities will work in our favor.

I have to admit, though. Keeping a used gel package in your back pocket usually leaves a mess. I've since started replenishing myself at rest stops near trashcans.

 

[darkcloud]

I don't use the GU type products but I do know all about banana peels in my jersey pockets...

 

[TheDude]

I don't use the GU type products but I do know all about banana peels in my jersey pockets...

Yeah,
but if you throw out a banana peel, it only lasts a few months. Gu is forever. I agree with the observations here - I came home with 2 blown tubes in my pockets on Monday.

 

[soOpOSMthanks!]

It's the professional thing to do.

 

[AnythingButKestrel]

It's easy not to litter when you're cheap. I put honey in a HammerGel squeeze bottle. Costs much less, tastes better, and has ecological sounditude all wrapped in one.

 

[Archibald]

The cleaner we keep our roadways, the more the local authorities will work in our favor.

I have to admit, though. Keeping a used gel package in your back pocket usually leaves a mess. I've since started replenishing myself at rest stops near trashcans.

it's amazing how many cyclists lose sight of the bigger picture and have no respect for their environment... it truly is selfish and stupid because it will end up affecting us all.

as for the gel packs, I just roll them up keeping the open end inside, then tuck it under the elastic in the leg of my knicks. it doesn't move, doesn't get messy...

 

[S2Sturges]

it's amazing how many cyclists lose sight of the bigger picture and have no respect for their environment... it truly is selfish and stupid because it will end up affecting us all.

as for the gel packs, I just roll them up keeping the open end inside, then tuck it under the elastic in the leg of my knicks. it doesn't move, doesn't get messy...

I just pack a zip lock bag with me, muesli bar wrappers, empty gels and such just get popped in there and stuffed back into the pocket. Hey presto, no mess! My wife suggested that after she had the not too task pleasant of ungluing my back pockets one day.. how hard is that?

 

[Guttercat]

I once threw a GU packet during a race. Felt a bit guilty. I hate littering.

Funny that since we cyclists tend to be a bit narcissistic; think of ourselves as more "enlightened/educated/intelligent/superior beings" (c'mon, I know you think that too, a least a little on some level from time to time once in a while ) that there would be so much littering by us, as described in the OP's post.

Yuck.

 

[phlatties]

did you pick up any of the gu trash that you saw?

 

[darkcloud]

did you pick up any of the gu trash that you saw?

And the answer is... 'no.' Something about picking up trash that some lazy a** discarded doesn't quite sit right with me. I guess a bigger man than myself might have done so.
On the other hand, I'm not above picking up fishing line, hooks and plastic which could pose a danger to the creatures (and people) that live in/near the ocean. I guess we pick our battles...Fair question, though. I even feel a bit guilty now. Congratulations. Mission accomplished.

 

[timeismonkey]

it is quite disheartening to see cycling related trash on the road. let alone any trash for that matter. ive often considered riding with a backpack once a week and kind of stopping to grab large amounts of trash thats congregated in one place. but ive yet to do it and maybe this is the bad attitude that leads to littering in the first place?

as far as gels go; putting the gooy packaging in my jersey gives me incentive to wash them regularly so thats good i guess haha

 

[Boeing]

I am guilty of letting the small flap from a Hammer Gel tab loose on the fly. It is quite difficult to avoid doing a one handed feed. The Cliff Shot packets have an extra tab to keep the pieces together but I can't stomach Shot product

Am considering using the gel tubes but they hold a lot more than I use for training rides and I fear it is a cleaning nightmare. Anyone have experience with them?

I do my best to Gel feed at a stop signal.

I slice bars into small pieces and put in a Snack size or sandwich size zip lock baggie. Leave the baggie open in the jersey pocket and it is an easy grab. light Flower/baking power/ corn starch or powdered sugar will keep the pieces from sticking together

Tubes? who in their right mind leaves those behind? that sucks

Years ago flatted training on sew-ups. I stretched the tire on a fence post on PCH as a landmark and it stayed there for 2 years. (I absolved with a few hail Mary's later)