Jennifer
Does anyone know the distance around the outter path around forest park? How many miles is it?
Answer
I avoid that bike path like the PLAGUE! There's supposed to be two paths - Heels & Wheels. Problem is, no one pays attention to it. I see people all the time walking their dogs on the paved trail, or three really fat people walking at a snail's pace taking up the entire 10 foot width. I've had too many close calls on that trail. To answer the question...the path is 5.6 miles long.
Copy & paste from the website.
The original bike path in Forest Park opened in 1898 for âall persons riding horses, bicycles, and tricycles.â Today, the number of joggers, walkers, bikers, and skaters in the park is at an all-time high.
The master plan proposed a 5.6-mile dual path system with parallel hard and soft surface paths in most areas. The soft surface is meant to accommodate walkers, joggers, and others traveling at a slower velocity. Biking and skating take place on the hard surface. The dual path more than doubled the path capacity and also made the paths safer by splitting the traffic, separating wheels from heels.
The hard path is made of asphalt. The soft surface path is limestone chip. Maintenance requirements and durability were major considerations taken into account in choosing the materials. It was also important that the materials were known to be good athletic surfaces.
Both paths are 10 feet wide for a total surface width of 20 feet. For this reason, the way they are divided is dictated by location in the park. For instance, at road crossings and other narrow areas the paths are side by side. In other cases, they are divided by trees and other landscaping, depending on the surroundings.
Again...too crowded & way too many idiots. Try for something else like the St. Louis Riverfront Trail or the Katy Trail.
Quick edit: Or Grant's Trail - http://www.bikegrantstrail.com/
I avoid that bike path like the PLAGUE! There's supposed to be two paths - Heels & Wheels. Problem is, no one pays attention to it. I see people all the time walking their dogs on the paved trail, or three really fat people walking at a snail's pace taking up the entire 10 foot width. I've had too many close calls on that trail. To answer the question...the path is 5.6 miles long.
Copy & paste from the website.
The original bike path in Forest Park opened in 1898 for âall persons riding horses, bicycles, and tricycles.â Today, the number of joggers, walkers, bikers, and skaters in the park is at an all-time high.
The master plan proposed a 5.6-mile dual path system with parallel hard and soft surface paths in most areas. The soft surface is meant to accommodate walkers, joggers, and others traveling at a slower velocity. Biking and skating take place on the hard surface. The dual path more than doubled the path capacity and also made the paths safer by splitting the traffic, separating wheels from heels.
The hard path is made of asphalt. The soft surface path is limestone chip. Maintenance requirements and durability were major considerations taken into account in choosing the materials. It was also important that the materials were known to be good athletic surfaces.
Both paths are 10 feet wide for a total surface width of 20 feet. For this reason, the way they are divided is dictated by location in the park. For instance, at road crossings and other narrow areas the paths are side by side. In other cases, they are divided by trees and other landscaping, depending on the surroundings.
Again...too crowded & way too many idiots. Try for something else like the St. Louis Riverfront Trail or the Katy Trail.
Quick edit: Or Grant's Trail - http://www.bikegrantstrail.com/
Why are so many club racers/lycra riders so rude on the bike paths?
duh
Every day I have to ride to get to the store; eight miles each way on the path. The club racers will pass some-one else coming towards me and not get back in their lane- yelling for me to get off the path.
Or at times they ride three abreast taking up almost the entire width of the trail.
Why do these folks think that the rules of the road don't apply to them?
Answer
This is unfortunate and a bad example. It is one of the first aspects of courtesy we teach beginning riders. There is no excuse for it and it can't be tolerated. As a past club sponsor, officer and coach, I would be extremely angry if my riders were doing this.
If you are getting to the right of the path and they are trying to crowd you off entirely because they are at speed, then they are clearly in the wrong. Riding 1, 2 or 3 abreast is ok but the minute they approach other traffic they should pull into formation so that half the trail is left open for the approaching riders like you. If the trail is wide enough to accomodate 2 riders on their 1/2 of the surface then riding 2 wide is OK. However, they should not expect you to jump off the trail. As an approaching rider you have a few responsibilities. 1. Hold a straight line and look up so they realize you see them coming. 2. Stay as far to the right as is practical. 3. Warn any rider that may be passing you from behind by yelling "riders up". The customs may vary in your country but that is the general USA answer.
If they are passing the burden to leave adequate space is the same rules as if they were in their car. The burden is on them to pass safely. You should not be expected to jump in the grass any more than you should be expected to do the same on the highway in your car.
I am going to give you a highly effective and diabolical way to solve this problem. I don't doubt what you say is true and assuming it is accurate the next time you have this happen make a mental note of the club name and sponsors names on the club jerseys the riders are wearing. At least some of these will be small businesses in your area. At least one will be a bike shop and there will probably be several you may recognize. Call up one or more of the businesses and tell them that you have had an unfortunate incident with some cyclists they sponsor and that you are calling a few of the sponsors to let them know what has happened and that it has happened more than once. Ask them if they can give you the name of the bike club president so you can speak with him about the issue. You see, it will be unlikely you will be able to locate the club in a phone book as they are usually not listed and are informal groups. The best way to figure out who is the president is to call the sponsoring bike shop or other sponsors.
Just tell them exactly what happened as you have done here and explain your concern that these riders are creating an unsafe riding condition and at the same time giving the sponsor some real negative advertising. Call the club president if you can get their number from a sponsor.
I can guarantee that all heck will break lose when this sponsor and a couple of others calls the club president and tells him what has happened and the complaint you have lodged. If you follow up with a call to the president yourself you will probably receive a phone call back or a letter of apology and at the next club meeting or training ride there will be a spirited discussion about how difficult it is to get sponsors and we don't need this kind of thing going on by our riders. I would be extremely surprised if the situation does not improve rather quickly.
In the strange event that this does not make things better take along your digital camera and send some pics of the riders to the club president explaining that things have not improved and that you are entertaining the best idea is to approach the local authorities to have a speed limit posted on the bike path.
Again the fur will fly and someone will be over at someone's house ripping them apart until they figure out who is causing the problems and get it stopped.
The last thing that cycling needs is this kind or reputation. Note those names and make the calls. I think it will get some pretty quick action. If I was on the receiving end of those phone calls from you and our sponsors I would be taking swift and sure disciplinary action against the rider or riders involved.
This is unfortunate and a bad example. It is one of the first aspects of courtesy we teach beginning riders. There is no excuse for it and it can't be tolerated. As a past club sponsor, officer and coach, I would be extremely angry if my riders were doing this.
If you are getting to the right of the path and they are trying to crowd you off entirely because they are at speed, then they are clearly in the wrong. Riding 1, 2 or 3 abreast is ok but the minute they approach other traffic they should pull into formation so that half the trail is left open for the approaching riders like you. If the trail is wide enough to accomodate 2 riders on their 1/2 of the surface then riding 2 wide is OK. However, they should not expect you to jump off the trail. As an approaching rider you have a few responsibilities. 1. Hold a straight line and look up so they realize you see them coming. 2. Stay as far to the right as is practical. 3. Warn any rider that may be passing you from behind by yelling "riders up". The customs may vary in your country but that is the general USA answer.
If they are passing the burden to leave adequate space is the same rules as if they were in their car. The burden is on them to pass safely. You should not be expected to jump in the grass any more than you should be expected to do the same on the highway in your car.
I am going to give you a highly effective and diabolical way to solve this problem. I don't doubt what you say is true and assuming it is accurate the next time you have this happen make a mental note of the club name and sponsors names on the club jerseys the riders are wearing. At least some of these will be small businesses in your area. At least one will be a bike shop and there will probably be several you may recognize. Call up one or more of the businesses and tell them that you have had an unfortunate incident with some cyclists they sponsor and that you are calling a few of the sponsors to let them know what has happened and that it has happened more than once. Ask them if they can give you the name of the bike club president so you can speak with him about the issue. You see, it will be unlikely you will be able to locate the club in a phone book as they are usually not listed and are informal groups. The best way to figure out who is the president is to call the sponsoring bike shop or other sponsors.
Just tell them exactly what happened as you have done here and explain your concern that these riders are creating an unsafe riding condition and at the same time giving the sponsor some real negative advertising. Call the club president if you can get their number from a sponsor.
I can guarantee that all heck will break lose when this sponsor and a couple of others calls the club president and tells him what has happened and the complaint you have lodged. If you follow up with a call to the president yourself you will probably receive a phone call back or a letter of apology and at the next club meeting or training ride there will be a spirited discussion about how difficult it is to get sponsors and we don't need this kind of thing going on by our riders. I would be extremely surprised if the situation does not improve rather quickly.
In the strange event that this does not make things better take along your digital camera and send some pics of the riders to the club president explaining that things have not improved and that you are entertaining the best idea is to approach the local authorities to have a speed limit posted on the bike path.
Again the fur will fly and someone will be over at someone's house ripping them apart until they figure out who is causing the problems and get it stopped.
The last thing that cycling needs is this kind or reputation. Note those names and make the calls. I think it will get some pretty quick action. If I was on the receiving end of those phone calls from you and our sponsors I would be taking swift and sure disciplinary action against the rider or riders involved.
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