Does riding on the MVT lower one’s IQ?

This topic has 20 replies, 15 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 1 month ago by acorn.

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June 11, 2012 at 2:52 pm #911491

acorn
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What’s up with all the dangerous cycling behavior on the MVT? The only thing I can think of is that getting on this trail has an effect on the brain. As a wimpy female on a hybrid bike, I get passed a lot- and hardly anyone ever signals. Worse, many riders seem to think that a 3-inch clearance when passing (again, without any signal) is acceptable. (Last week one woman passed me so closely, I could have touched her if I stretched my pinky!)

I am actually starting to think I should go back to my alternate route which is almost all on streets with cars because the MVT is getting dangerous. At least most motorists obey the 3-foot clearance rule.

People, be careful! My kids are really, really cute. When the jury considering my family’s wrongful death suit against you sees them, you will definitely be paying for their college educations.
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June 11, 2012 at 3:03 pm #942584

Dirt
Participant

That is a great reminder that ALL of us need to be extra considerate when we ride the trails. Nowhere that we’re going is so important that we have to be impolite, rude or scary.

I think we all make mistakes on judging our passes from time to time. This probably goes beyond that. Be careful. Be considerate. Remember that each of us is NOT the only one on the trail.

Pete

June 11, 2012 at 3:04 pm #942585

ShawnoftheDread
Participant

When do you ride the MVT? I don’t have many problems on it. True, most don’t call their passes, but I’ve never had someone pass me blatantly unsafely. And I call the few passes I manage to make.

On the other hand, I saw four Capitol Police on a training ride Friday morning. The lead officer called their pass to me when he was riding right next to me on the 14th Street bridge. Note to the officer: if I’m looking right at you, “on your left” is completely unnecessary.

June 11, 2012 at 3:09 pm #942588

DismalScientist
Participant

Yes, as a matter of fact, there is an ordering of average IQ by bike path. If goes from lowest to highest as:
CCT, MVT, Custis, W&OD, and C&O towpath. :rolleyes:

You are right about streets versus trails in my opinion. In general, I find the streets safer.

June 11, 2012 at 3:10 pm #942589

KLizotte
Participant

Keep in mind that a lot of fair weather cyclists are out at this time of the year as well as a lot of out of town visitors. The NPS at the last meeting I attended did make mention that they are thinking of putting up signs that explain the rules of riding a MUT. Much needed!

June 11, 2012 at 3:18 pm #942590

jrenaut
Participant

@KLizotte 21790 wrote:

Keep in mind that a lot of fair weather cyclists are out at this time of the year as well as a lot of out of town visitors. The NPS at the last meeting I attended did make mention that they are thinking of putting up signs that explain the rules of riding a MUT. Much needed!

Sometimes all that’s needed is a sign explaining that the thing you are on is, in fact, a MUT and not whatever you might think it is.

June 11, 2012 at 3:26 pm #942592

Greenbelt
Participant

I was riding up the Custis hill toward the Clarendon races and thought better of trying to pass a guy in a tight space. When I called out “you go ahead” so he didn’t have to break his cadence to go around somebody, he was like genuinely surprised and thanked me over and over. I was like “wow” people must not yield much around here. I’m spoiled by the uncrowded trails I usually ride — in VA you guys had a ton of people out this weekend! On the one hand it was pretty inspiring to see all the bikes, but on the other hand I had to pay a lot more attention than usual — no daydreaming or sightseeing!

June 11, 2012 at 3:28 pm #942594

rcannon100
Participant

Dismal: CCT is the highest???? Can I check your methodology???

Have to say, during commute hours I have almost no trouble on the MVT. The Muggles are obvious (tourists, and joggers from GTown) and you take care around them. During, er, “recreational hours” – yeah, the MVT is a different creature that I generally try to avoid.

Today on the MVT I came upon two cyclists pulled over on the boardwalk on the Roosevelt. One had found a rather large turtle on the boardwalk and was carrying it to safety. 😮

June 11, 2012 at 3:48 pm #942598

DismalScientist
Participant

@rcannon100 21795 wrote:

Dismal: CCT is the highest???? Can I check your methodology???

I think you misread my statement.

I don’t need no stinking methodology. I’ll just claim my authority and let everyone defer to my expertise.

June 11, 2012 at 4:28 pm #942604

Rootchopper
Participant

I ride the MVT literally hundreds of times a year. They kicked me out of Mensa because of it. Now BU is going to pull my diploma.

Oh, you mean OTHER people get a lower IQ! Doh!

I agree that the summah people cause an awful lot of conflicts on the trail, especially at Gravelly Point. Belle Haven Park is pretty bad too.

The rest of the year, I can reserve my disgust for the idiots who confuse the MVT with a Tour de France time trial.

As for not calling your passes, this seems to be a year round problem. I’m out there in January. The same ass hats that pass me without warning do it every day of the year. They’ll never learn until they end up in an ambulance.

I do love the trend of announcing a pass just as I am pulling out to pass someone. You couldn’t see I was about to pass? So you had to run up my rear and yell? Check those handles on your bike. They are brakes. Use them. It’s good for the soul.

Maybe they could put up bollards randomly along the trail. I’m sure that will help.

June 11, 2012 at 4:39 pm #942606

rcannon100
Participant

I think you misread my statement.

I did read it upsidedown. And I do defer to your meticulous methodology

June 11, 2012 at 5:07 pm #942617

Dirt
Participant

This actually explains a lot to me (and fortunately uses really small words and lots of pictures). I sometimes take 3 or 4 different MUTs on my way to or from work. Guess that explains the negative IQ.

Hugs and kisses,

Pete

June 11, 2012 at 5:32 pm #942630

consularrider
Participant

@ShawnoftheDread 21785 wrote:

…On the other hand, I saw four Capitol Police on a training ride Friday morning. The lead officer called their pass to me when he was riding right next to me on the 14th Street bridge. Note to the officer: if I’m looking right at you, “on your left” is completely unnecessary.

Plus they blew the stop sign to get on the MVT, and there was trail traffic (me among others).

June 11, 2012 at 5:50 pm #942633

GuyContinental
Participant

@KLizotte 21790 wrote:

Keep in mind that a lot of fair weather cyclists are out at this time of the year as well as a lot of out of town visitors. The NPS at the last meeting I attended did make mention that they are thinking of putting up signs that explain the rules of riding a MUT. Much needed!

The problem with “rules of the road” signs is they get crazy complicated and no one reads them- I’d be happy with a few very visual no headphones, no ninjas and stay right signs…

June 11, 2012 at 6:29 pm #942639

5555624
Participant

@GuyContinental 21838 wrote:

I’d be happy with a few very visual no headphones, no ninjas and stay right signs…

I thought ninjas were supposed to be invisible — at least the good ones — so does that mean a “No Ninjas” sign is blank or simply a red circle with a slash through it? Yeah, that won’t confuse the tourists.

June 11, 2012 at 7:06 pm #942644

GuyContinental
Participant

[ATTACH=CONFIG]1182[/ATTACH]

But of course.

In all seriousness, we are many months away from ninja season (except for ccrew…) but improper lighting on all types of MUT users is one of the bigger safety issues IMO. I’ve been half-tempted to put up some gorilla signage showing the stark difference between a reasonably well lit runner and a ninja in black… of course it would be dark so my sign would be a ninja sign which might reduce the impact a bit…
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