Don't be an idiot

[dgaddis1]

Please ride the correct direction on the canal trail, based on the day.

Even Days = Counter Clockwise
Odd Days = Clockwise

I know sometimes people make a mistake and go the wrong way on accident. No worries there. We've all done it.

On the other hand, if you bomb down the stairs, then turn onto the trail going the wrong way, and I yell out "hey you're going the wrong way" as you approach me, and then you get 5ft away and look me square in the eye and I tell you again "YOU'RE GOING THE WRONG WAY" and you just ride by without a word, you're an a**.

Then, if you continue riding the wrong way past another 10 people, who all tell you AGAIN that you're going the wrong way, and you nearly hit both Becca and John head on at speed, yet you continue riding the wrong way, well, that makes you a dumba**. I don't mind people being stupid, you can't fix it. But it pisses me off when people do stupid stuff that puts others in danger.

No excuse for that. Especially when you're told you're going the wrong way 5ft into the loop, when it's super easy to stop and turn around.

Don't be that guy.

[Catalyst]

I remember a time before the directional signs when I met another rider at speed coming the opposite way on the edge. That was fun. I only wound up with tweaked brake handles and bruised knuckles, but it could have been much worse!

Somewhat related, what's the latest news on the additional signage for the trail?

[dgaddis1]

Mar 24, 2011 7:46:41 GMT -5 Catalyst said:

Somewhat related, what's the latest news on the additional signage for the trail?

haha, Drew and I were talking about that last night actually. It's starting to look like we took the TT money and ran with it ;D

But we didn't, we still have the cash. The signs are on hold though. The canal authority is eventually going to put up a good bit of signage, and they want to make sure it's all consistent, with the same look and whatnot. So they told us not to do anything yet. Whenever they're ready, we'll tell them what the signs need to say (we've already figured this out) and put the TT money towards it.

[bikerpanda]

i wish there were more signs down the trail. I know when I first started riding that trail I would get confused at the forks. Now I either stay left or stay right depending on the day, at least thats what someone told me one day when I was going the wrong way on accident. I need to go out there one Wednesday and let the professionals show me the right way. :thumbsup:

Ive had two spills there. One from a runner and their dog coming the wrong way and once from two bikers who apologized immediately and said they were going the wrong way because they prefer the trail that way. I didnt know what to say to them so I just smiled and and kept riding. They were knowingly going the wrong way, what should I have said?

[dgaddis1]

Mar 24, 2011 8:28:12 GMT -5 bikerpanda said:

Ive had two spills there. One from a runner and their dog coming the wrong way and once from two bikers who apologized immediately and said they were going the wrong way because they prefer the trail that way. I didnt know what to say to them so I just smiled and and kept riding. They were knowingly going the wrong way, what should I have said?

Tell them to come back the next day?

Yeah, unfortunately some people are going to do whatever they want unless there's some consequence for not following the rules. Other than explaining why they should follow the rules (so people don't wreck, like they caused you to do) there's not much you can do. I certainly wouldn't move out of their way next time you meet them head on.

Signs are needed badly down there for sure. And people need to stay on the freakin' trail, there's new ride arounds and short cuts popping up all the time down there.

[chaosx44]

Once, Julie and I came in the back way and couldnt remember the even/odd directions...of course we chose wrong and ended up meeting a dude but promptly turned the other direction after realizing our error. I would just suggest putting the even/odd directions at that back entrance if that isnt already in the signage plan.

[brianW]

Have to agree with the sign at the back. Only time I rode it the wrong way was coming in that way. Came across other riders and just changed directions.

[Ross D]

Had an idiot lastnight that was told by 10 people he was going the wrong way, almost hit 9 and still insisted on going the wrong way.. He even rode by the sign telling which way to decide and 2 people told him as he started the wrong direction!!!

Stupid thing is he was the one that was forced to stop most of the time, if he'd just turned around, he could've ridden free of any traffic AND had a safer, funner, faster ride.. ;D

[kconner]

Mar 24, 2011 6:45:00 GMT -5 dgaddis1 said:

Please ride the correct direction on the canal trail, based on the day.

Even Days = Counter Clockwise
Odd Days = Clockwise

I know sometimes people make a mistake and go the wrong way on accident. No worries there. We've all done it.

On the other hand, if you bomb down the stairs, then turn onto the trail going the wrong way, and I yell out "hey you're going the wrong way" as you approach me, and then you get 5ft away and look me square in the eye and I tell you again "YOU'RE GOING THE WRONG WAY" and you just ride by without a word, you're an a**.

Then, if you continue riding the wrong way past another 10 people, who all tell you AGAIN that you're going the wrong way, and you nearly hit both Becca and John head on at speed, yet you continue riding the wrong way, well, that makes you a dumba**. I don't mind people being stupid, you can't fix it. But it pisses me off when people do stupid stuff that puts others in danger.

No excuse for that. Especially when you're told you're going the wrong way 5ft into the loop, when it's super easy to stop and turn around.

Don't be that guy.

Wow. +1

[drewjordan]

I tried contacting the Augusta Canal regarding the trail signage, but the person in charge is out of the office until the 28th. Since daylight savings is here there are going to be more riders on the trail making signage very important. I couldn't imagine what would happen if 2 people were barreling down razors edge towards each other...Nonetheless, if you see someone going the wrong way, let them know.
Dustin and I have discussed sign placement in detail and have all the bases covered. It's essentially just a matter of waiting for the green light. I'll touch base with my Canal contact next week and see if there's any way we can expedite things.

[Mark Y]

Mar 25, 2011 6:16:49 GMT -5 drewjordan said:

I couldn't imagine what would happen if 2 people were barreling down razors edge towards each other..

I can. Though I wasn't "barreling", I was going up the little rise on the edge when bikes popped over the top. I wound up in the bushes on the riverbank and would have tumbled down into the water had they not been there.