Brewmaster Report

[Brewmaster]

A partly cloudy day here in the great NW (means overcast to the rest of you), and temps at a mild 48 degrees brought me out on a nice 14 mile ride today.Tomorrow is supposed to be nicer.....that means a longer ride! I started out in the extreme NW of Portland in the industrial district and rode out along with traffic. I rode along Front avenue, along the Willamette River and cut across the river on the Steele Bridge pedestrian path. I ended up heading down along the river and into Sellwood and back. Nearly wiped out two people on the Springwater Trail when they stepped out into traffic from a blind footpath :shock: .....I was all "WATCH OUT", and they were nearly clipped by a Lycra clad rider from the opposite way when they turned to look at me! I mean PEOPLE - it's a Multi Use Trail!....That means more users than just you....I'll oblige dogs on the long fisherman harness, joggers with the headphones zoned out, moms with strollers, etc, but you gotta pay attention.... After the turn around, I rode past them again and they smiled and waved, so no hard feelings.....Do any of you guys use a bell on the Silvio? I saw 3 Great Blue Herons on a wash by the Sellwood Bridge....really very cool, and so close to town!
Jamie

 

[Mark B]

Nice report, Jamie!

Are you getting more relaxed with the MBB now? Sounds like you are.

I don't have a bell, but if I rode bike paths much more than I do, I would seriously consider one.

Mark

 

[JonB]

Mark B wrote: Nice report, Jamie!

Are you getting more relaxed with the MBB now? Sounds like you are.

I don't have a bell, but if I rode bike paths much more than I do, I would seriously consider one.

Mark

I have a bell, and i consider getting an AirZound.

 

[John Tolhurst]

A bell is neccessary if you use shared paths. Pedestrians deserve notice you are passing.

 

[defjack]

I just yell coming through and they move over most of the time. Jack

 

[Mark B]

defjack wrote: I just yell coming through and they move over most of the time. Jack

I usually just fart. They get completely off the path. :lol: :lol:

No, I yell out "on yer left", but truthfully, most of it goes unheard because they're all pod zombies, these days.

Mark

 

[JonB]

Mark B wrote:

defjack wrote: I just yell coming through and they move over most of the time. Jack

I usually just fart. They get completely off the path. :lol: :lol:

No, I yell out "on yer left", but truthfully, most of it goes unheard because they're all pod zombies, these days.

Mark

Which is why you need an AirZound.

 

[trapdoor2]

...sometimes nothing works.

Bro' Don has an Airzound but he has gone thru three of them as the plastic in the trigger/horn is fragile. They're so damn loud that I'd be afraid to use it, esp. since many of the people on the MUT here are, um, not young.

Actually, I do have a bell and it does work as long as you start early and keep on it until they notice. I encountered a pair of ladies walking the trail (and taking up the entire width) last summer and started "dingdingdingdingding" from about 50yds back. They both looked up! :roll:

People are so unpredictable. You yell, "on your left" and they move left...or right...or scatter...or jump in fright. Best to just avoid the MUT unless you're willing to cruze slowly (or pick days when the trail is empty).

 

[Mark B]

trapdoor2 wrote: ...sometimes nothing works.

Bro' Don has an Airzound but he has gone thru three of them as the plastic in the trigger/horn is fragile. They're so damn loud that I'd be afraid to use it, esp. since many of the people on the MUT here are, um, not young.

Actually, I do have a bell and it does work as long as you start early and keep on it until they notice. I encountered a pair of ladies walking the trail (and taking up the entire width) last summer and started "dingdingdingdingding" from about 50yds back. They both looked up! :roll:

People are so unpredictable. You yell, "on your left" and they move left...or right...or scatter...or jump in fright. Best to just avoid the MUT unless you're willing to cruze slowly (or pick days when the trail is empty).

+1.... I think the air Zound is obnoxious and I'd be hard pressed to use it. I mean, it's rude to take up the whole path, but two rudes don't make a polite. :shock: :roll:

The SART is fine most of the time, there are just places near parks that are always busier and you have to pick your way through. There are plenty of places where you can let it rip and go fast to your heart's content. You just have to have and exercise a little common sense.

Mark

 

[Brewmaster]

I usually just yell "One yer left!".....John, what kind of bell do you use? Do you have a pic?
Jamie