A Few Bad Apples...::

Herzy posted the same in the existing thread a couple hours before this one… I’m on the phone, or I’d merge this into that one…

 

No win situation. Some people are just entitled assholes. You get guys on bikes who just want to send it, who cares that you are there (my GF got pushed off trail last weekend). But you also have hikers who don't want you there and will hate you no matter what. I politely asked to pass a group of people near a trail head a few months back, riding SUPER slow behind them (it was more of an uphill fire road still, I wasn't in a rush) and they freaked out that I didn't give them any warning and that a bell would have been nice! I was riding 3 MPH, seated and relaxed, and I just said "Can I get by you guys?"

Never going to win with some people.

 

Whilst most of us are no angels when it comes to sticking to things like the speed limit here's a quick recap of todays lunchtime loop of Whiting.

Me: Bell on for every hiker passed, who were then thanked and wished a good day (except for one, we'll get to him in a second)
Trail Runner: Blind corner on the wrong side of a fire road running uphill. At least he had the courtesy to wave an apology.
Hikers: Of the approximately 15 hikers I did pass easily half of them had ear buds in and didn't hear my bell. The worst hiker behaviour was a husband and wife coming down cattle pond, no problem, saw them in plenty of time and slowed right down. The wife steps aside at a place thats convenient so of course I thanked her. Her weapons grade bell-end of a husband though feels the need to dominate the trail blocking it all the way down thru the creek and up the other side. Fair enough, you do have right of way, but then he chooses to deliberately stop at the top of the single track on the edge of the clearing so no-one can get past! I'm sorry but at that point I think its ok for me to tell him what a wonderful human he is. I'm sure he can't wait to go tell all his buddies what a prick the rider he came across was today though.

But yeah, its clearly me making the trails unsafe for everyone because I go above 10mph....

 

Man, complaining about a few hikers. I ride people who are using side by sides, quads, motorcycles and sand rails. Hikers have nothing on these morons where I ride. I could be come up or down a canyon and I can suddenly here bass behind me of a Mariachi band (I am not kidding about this) and they try to pass on what used to be single track. Most don’t have on helmets and usually have the kids in the back with the music blaring. It’s unreal sometimes.

 

Let’s ride in 9 hours, and you won’t see any hikers.

 

Maybe this should be moved to the
"People suck" thread.
Ho hum..i meet awesome folks and d-bags on the trail. I'm the former 90% of the time and the latter 10%. Or do I have that backwards?

 

It’s tough to read about my spoke brothers’ ride experiences being downgraded. I’ve missed out mostly but had some tastes of it.

The off-roaders I’ve met have been categorically awesome. Even the moto mob of five stopped their excavation on Joplin to allow me a safe pass.

 

On a plus note...

I rode 24 miles of single track yesterday with a buddy. Because of single direction of travel, we didn't see a single other biker. However we passed about four or five hiking groups, from single individuals to one group of perhaps 20. Because they were walking into the direction of bike travel, they saw us coming, we saw them, and both groups were able to stay positive. Lots of quips and a few laughs, and everyone went their merry way.

It's certainly possible - without the government becoming involved.

 

The major diff is that you're in NC and we're in Cali. That's an instant attitude adjustment right there alone.

 

I’d like to think state borders make a difference, but they don’t. Proximity to high population does. Every big pop center in every state has the rats-in-cage syndrome. Phoenix, Denver, Reno, LA, OC, Bay Area, Boston. The more rural you get in any state, the friendlier the people.

Yuma is easily the friendliest place I’ve ever spent time. The worst I’ve already mentioned.

 

People get very upset when their expectations aren’t met. When I get on the 405 at 4:30 on a Thursday I expect traffic.

I had come to expect a pleasant experience riding OC Parks. My expectations have been reset, now I expect at least one unpleasant encounter with an ebike on every ride. I’m happy if it’s not two or three.

my guess is that people living in Yuma have simple expectations.

 

Mikie, it’s cool that you’re in charge of this website. But I’m glad you’re not in charge of California

 

I thought the 405 is where I parked my car for a few hours at a time.

 

Guarantee you… it would be better!