crash on the w&od

[mstone]

@DrP 144889 wrote:

And a comment on “shooting the gap,” some trails are wider than others and there is plenty of room for a “third lane.”

No, there are no trails in the area wide enough to safely pass down the middle when there are people in both the lanes. You may get away with it (people usually do) if everyone’s alert, but there is no margin of error and you’re not giving everyone else sufficient distance. If anyone wobbles, you’ve caused an accident. And that happens rarely enough that each person making unsafe passes may cause 0 or 1 accidents in their life, but as a whole it’s too many for something easily prevented. It simply isn’t that hard to slow down and wait for the oncoming traffic to pass. And, honestly, it makes the trails a terrifying experience for those on foot regardless of whether you’re absolutely certain that you’re being safe (because except for the mind-readers out there, the other people have no idea how well you’re planning or not). Also, remember those statistics that show that most drivers think that most drivers are bad but that they personally have better skills and are safer than most? Cyclists are the same. Practice defensive riding, not “I’m pretty sure I can get away with this” riding.

What’s extra special about this move is when someone misjudges and has to cut over quickly, making one or more people slam on their brakes. Because we’re humans and we’re generally not as good at judging speeds and distances as we’d like to think we are.

[vern]

@mstone 144891 wrote:

No, there are no trails in the area wide enough to safely pass down the middle when there are people in both the lanes. You may get away with it (people usually do) if everyone’s alert, but there is no margin of error and you’re not giving everyone else sufficient distance. If anyone wobbles, you’ve caused an accident. And that happens rarely enough that each person making unsafe passes may cause 0 or 1 accidents in their life, but as a whole it’s too many for something easily prevented. It simply isn’t that hard to slow down and wait for the oncoming traffic to pass. And, honestly, it makes the trails a terrifying experience for those on foot regardless of whether you’re absolutely certain that you’re being safe (because except for the mind-readers out there, the other people have no idea how well you’re planning or not). Also, remember those statistics that show that most drivers think that most drivers are bad but that they personally have better skills and are safer than most? Cyclists are the same. Practice defensive riding, not “I’m pretty sure I can get away with this” riding.

What’s extra special about this move is when someone misjudges and has to cut over quickly, making one or more people slam on their brakes. Because we’re humans and we’re generally not as good at judging speeds and distances as we’d like to think we are.

I disagree. The Cadillac lanes on the WOD between Wilson underpass and the Custis merge are wide enough for this. I will pass down the middle here where there is a walkers/runners on each side where each is on the right side of there respective lanes. I slow down, call the pass loud and clear, and proceed. I usually wait until one side or another clears, but sometimes it’s pretty congested in this area, and the extra width of the lanes allows for a safe pass down the center, done prudently.

[Jason]

@mstone 144891 wrote:

No, there are no trails in the area wide enough to safely pass down the middle when there are people in both the lanes. You may get away with it (people usually do) if everyone’s alert, but there is no margin of error and you’re not giving everyone else sufficient distance. If anyone wobbles, you’ve caused an accident. And that happens rarely enough that each person making unsafe passes may cause 0 or 1 accidents in their life, but as a whole it’s too many for something easily prevented. It simply isn’t that hard to slow down and wait for the oncoming traffic to pass. And, honestly, it makes the trails a terrifying experience for those on foot regardless of whether you’re absolutely certain that you’re being safe (because except for the mind-readers out there, the other people have no idea how well you’re planning or not). Also, remember those statistics that show that most drivers think that most drivers are bad but that they personally have better skills and are safer than most? Cyclists are the same. Practice defensive riding, not “I’m pretty sure I can get away with this” riding.

What’s extra special about this move is when someone misjudges and has to cut over quickly, making one or more people slam on their brakes. Because we’re humans and we’re generally not as good at judging speeds and distances as we’d like to think we are.

Generally, I concur. Passing down the middle while there is visible/nearby oncoming is reckless. This is how I was hit head-on, someone thought they could pass down the middle, then into my lane thinking I could yield more lane for their pass, when I could not. Riders should not have to yield their lane so someone can pass using it. The middle should not be used to pass if there is any oncoming traffic in any sort of fast cycling range (Ie, passers should not assume I am moving at 6mph when I am actually moving at 20mph).

[mstone]

@vern 144896 wrote:

I disagree. The Cadillac lanes on the WOD between Wilson underpass and the Custis merge are wide enough for this. I will pass down the middle here where there is a walkers/runners on each side where each is on the right side of there respective lanes. I slow down, call the pass loud and clear, and proceed. I usually wait until one side or another clears, but sometimes it’s pretty congested in this area, and the extra width of the lanes allows for a safe pass down the center, done prudently.

If you’re slowed to just above walking pace, then go for it. Otherwise you’ve heard pretty clearly that a lot of people on the receiving end don’t like it.

[Subby]

@vern 144896 wrote:

I disagree. The Cadillac lanes on the WOD between Wilson underpass and the Custis merge are wide enough for this. I will pass down the middle here where there is a walkers/runners on each side where each is on the right side of there respective lanes. I slow down, call the pass loud and clear, and proceed. I usually wait until one side or another clears, but sometimes it’s pretty congested in this area, and the extra width of the lanes allows for a safe pass down the center, done prudently.

I think you should go at least 15 mph in these situations so you can pass through the middle faster.

[Judd]

@Subby 144902 wrote:

I think you should go at least 15 mph in these situations so you can pass through the middle faster.

And instead of saying “In your left” or “passing”, a good ol “out of the way, f’ers” lets traffic in both directions know your intentions.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[huskerdont]

Back when I was foolish enough to ride the MVT on nice weekend days, I spent a fair amount of time riding off to the right in the grass to pass the hordes. I’m sure I looked like an ass, but at least I was an ass who wasn’t endangering anyone. Even when I knew less about what I was doing than I do now, splitting the trail didn’t seem the best course of action. I could see someone doing it very slowly in certain instances though; rarely, but I’d never say never.

[ShawnoftheDread]

@Tania 144819 wrote:

Anyone who rides with me knows I ride relatively slowly.

Fixed.

[Tania]

Do you try to be an asshole or is it just natural talent?

[dkel]

@Tania 144910 wrote:

Do you try to be an asshole or is it just natural talent?

It’s a talent, but he does cultivate it.

[ShawnoftheDread]

@Tania 144910 wrote:

Do you try to be an asshole or is it just natural talent?

A little from column a, a little from column b.

Hi Tania!

[dasgeh]

@mstone 144891 wrote:

No, there are no trails in the area wide enough to safely pass down the middle when there are people in both the lanes.

Huh? Of course there are trails that are wide enough. I’ve been riding the FMR Trail from Glebe-ish to Shirlington a lot lately, and except for the places where turns screw up the sightlines, most of it easily accommodates up-the-middle passes. I’ve seen plenty with no obvious complaints from other users.

[Author]

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