🚀 go-pugleaf

I used to live down there in the late 80s/early 90s, and I used to
commute on that trail from Mt Vernon to Falls Church and back every
day.  No problem during the weekdays, and most evenings it was also
quite nice (and daylight savings is coming up).

But I learned back in 1989 (after a bad crash that separated my shoulder
and took much of the skin off my left hand and arm) that you should NOT
ride that trail on sunny weekend afternoons when the "yahoos" are out.  

The trail is too narrow, and Saturdays/Sundays I no longer ride on it
below Jones Point between 10 am and 5 pm (most of the yahoos are going
to Mt Vernon proper, so they don't come out when it's closed).

Now I feel they are entitled to act like fools (they pay taxes too, and
it's a public trail).  
But I am not going through that pain again.

Ellen


Scott Rosenzweig wrote:
> 
> Fortunately or unfortunately I spend too much time riding on
> the Mount Vernon Trail.  Yeah, I get particularly annoyed at
> some of the stupid or rude behavior I encounter (and am sure
> that others see some of my habits as dangerous or rude).
> But maybe a bit more perspective may help.
> 
> On 26 Mar 2000 18:40:03 EST, "XYZ" <none@nowhere.com> wrote:
> 
> >There seem to be an impossible number of dumbshits on the
> >Mt. Vernon trail.
> >
> >DumbShits:
> >
> >1. "Chicken Walkers"  People who walk on the wrong side and
> >   don't give way when they see a bike tearing down at them.
> 
> On a heavily used trail, no excuse for walking on the wrong
> side.  But, what the hell are you doing "tearing down" on
> anyone on that trail.
> 
> >2. The Tripwire.  Stupid dog owners who walk on the right,
> >   and let their LEASHED dog walk on the left.
> 
> Short leash, controlled dog -- no real problem.  let the
> dogwalker know you are coming up and then pass.  Long
> leashes with absentee ownership ...
> 
> >3. Parents of clumsy kids who don't make sure their brat is
> >   on the right side of the trail.
> 
> Whenever you see any kid anywhere on the trail, be prepared
> for evasive maneuvering.  Haven't noticed clumsiness being a
> controlling issue.
> 
> >4. "The Blockade" - a group of people walking side by side,
> >   blocking all attempts to pass.  Usually teenagers who ought
> >   to know better.
> 
> Pull up and tell them you are passing.  Seems to work every
> time.
> 
> >5. The Stop-And-Get-Killed lemmings who are walking at a brisk
> >   pace and then stop because they just noticed an interesting
> >   piece of dirt on the ground.  They will often stop abruptly
> >   and lurch to their left, risking your and their life in the
> >   act of passing.
> 
> And of course you told them you were passing on?  If you
> didn't, totally your problem.
> 
> >6. Roller-Trip-Bladers.  These dumbshits like to rollerblade side
> >   by side, not realizing that they kick their feet out 2 feet
> >   into the oncoming lane, making passing them a fun "trip".
> 
> Rudeness isn't limited to cyclists.
> 
> >7. Fat people on their new bike.  I think it's great that these
> >   butterballs are trying to lose weight and get healthy.  But not
> >   when they wobble unpredictably and lurch left and right like
> >   the a spinning top.  Fortunately there are relatively few of
> >   these.
> 
> In years of riding the Trail I've had many problems with
> other cyclists, including obvious new ones.  But I haven't
> noticed them spinning like tops, or that weight has anything
> to do with the equation.
> 
> >8. Lover's Lane- yes, it's very romantic to stop on the wooden
> >   bridges and kiss your lovie-dovie.  It's almost as romantic
> >   as when I end up in a bloody pile of bike parts and torn
> >   ligaments with your lover.  Very romantic.  Especially when
> >   it's two big fatasses that fill more than a single lane.
> 
> Actually, ONLY when they take up more than a lane.  They
> have the damn right to be there.  If you are going too fast
> to avoid someone stopped in their own lane (and hadn't
> bothered to holler passing or ding a bell), and your only
> option is to wind up a pile of broken parts -- I might
> suggest that you need to improve your skills.
> 
> >9. Ansel Adams wannabes.  These types are usually found standing
> >   in the CENTER of the trail, just around a sharp bend, blocked
> >   by trees, holding their brand-new Canon up to their faces,
> >   oblivious to anything except the oh-so-interesting piece of
> >   dog doo they are snapping a picture of.
> 
> If blocking a lane they have a problem.  But usually, they
> are off to the side.  Again, if you are trying to pass, and
> find the oncoming lane blocked, I suspect the problem lies
> elsewhere.
> 
> >
> >Has anyone collected a list of types of trail-dumbshits and their
> >typical behavior patterns?  This could be a great resource for those
> >willing to brave the crowds on the trails in the dc area.
> 
> Yeah, anyone who rides too fast for circumstances in prime
> time on a Saturday or Sunday.  You want to set a stiff pace,
> leave real early in the morning, or ride during the week.