Group Riders on Moonee Ponds Creek Trail

Your lead rider hard cut a blind corner hard nearly crashing into me head on. I was the guy cruising along in the left lane minding my own business & enjoying an early morning ride that he nearly hit.

 

I understand he was setting the pace & the rest of you followed blindly behind to maintain speed & have group cohesion. While I was getting the bejebus scared out of me by your lead rider… I reacted… I think… Correctly.

 

I pulled hard left (I was already hard left, so I moved hard against the wall) & slowed right down. I yelled “KEEP LEFT” as the following riders in the group came careening around the blind corner just behind the lead rider on the wrong side at speed… Not through anger but so they knew I was there & wouldn’t crash into me.

 

But should that really be what I, or other users of the path need to do to feel safe?? What about the less experienced riders using the path at that time? Kids going to school & commuters going to work. People walking their dogs, or just relaxing having a stroll along the creek… Would they have reacted the same?

 

Do you you get offended when cars behave badly & drive dangerously around you? Do you get upset when idiot riders don’t pay attention? Are you angry when drivers cut the bike lane or a corner? Do you feel unsafe when someone passes to close to you?

 

If so… I have a friendly suggestion for your group:

Slow down when using the bike paths at peak hour… especially around children, dogs, pedestrians, other riders & blind spots… Not because you’re not all fantastically skilled riders… Not because you’re not all pro peloton riders… But to allow others to feel safe & enjoy the paths.

 

After all… when people get a fright they sometimes swerve the wrong way or twitch & fall over if they’re walking, or off their bike… & they just might crash into you!

 

I hope you won’t blame them. If you’re just using the path to get to your road ride… Slow down until you hit the road. It costs nothing to show a little respect & courtesy for those who may have a little less experience around other riders smashing the speed than you do. 

Bloody hell, just start your Garmin once you’re on the road. I won’t tell anyone, I promise Or You could just do what I do when I want to smash out some fast k’s on a bike path…

 

Use the freeway bike paths. They’re clear, deserted & they seem to go on forever… You won’t cause an accident, you won’t scare people &… I promise… You can go much faster than any of the inner city bike paths without upsetting anyone.

 

Just check the pic above to see how sweet they look if you have the need for speed (I know I do)