Racer Trail
Why are so many club racers/lycra riders so rude on the bike paths?
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?
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.
Speed Racer Trailer [HQ]
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12″ Lt Oil Kid Western Show Trail Barrel Racer Saddle Double T Horse Pony Tack $284.00 |
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Horse Tack Black Poly Nylon Contest Reins Barrel Racer Trail Ride w/Leather New $10.50 |
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NEW 15″ SMM WESTERN PLEASURE TRAIL BARREL RACER RACING REAL LEATHER HORSE SADDLE $112.50 |
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7″ Lt Oil & PINK Kid Western Trail Barrel Racer Saddle $168.00 |
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16″ Double TT Barrel Racer Western Saddle Trail Ranch Alligator Print Seat HS BC $448.88 |
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12″ Brown Lt oil Show kid Western Barrel Racer Pony Mini Horse Trail Saddle SET $264.00 |
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10″ Brown Lt oil Show kid Western Barrel Racer Pony Mini Horse Trail Saddle SET $264.00 |
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10″ Tan & Lt oil Show kid Western Barrel Racer Pony Mini Horse Trail Saddle SET $264.00 |
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12″ Tan & Lt oil Show kid Western Barrel Racer Pony Mini Horse Trail Saddle SET $264.00 |
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17″ Dark Oil Rough out WESTERN BARREL RACER CROSS TRAIL SHOW HORSE SADDLE 4PC $325.98 |
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15″ NATURAL Western Trail Barrel Racer Saddle DOUBLE T $325.98 |
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RIDERS CHOICE 17″ BARREL SADDLE TRAIL PLEASURE RACER BLUE FREE SHIP TURQUOISE $459.00 |
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13″ Lt Oil Western Barrel Racer Trail Saddle Horse Pony $254.00 |
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16″ Western Saddle Barrel Racer Beauty Show Horse rounded Skirt Trail PINK Suede $274.98 |
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16″ Western Saddle Barrel Racer Beauty Show Horse rounded Skirt Trail PINK Suede $274.98 |
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13′Dark Brown PONY COB KID Western Trail HORSE Saddle $199.99 |
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8″ Lt OiL w/BLUE kid Western Trail Barrel Racer Saddle $168.00 |
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RIDERS CHOICE 16″ BARREL RACING SADDLE ROUGH OUT AMERICAN FREE SHIP TRAIL RACER $425.00 |
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10″ Natural/ Lt OiL BLACK kid Oak leaf Western Trail Barrel Racer Saddle Showman $358.00 |
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10″MEDIUM DARK OIL Western Trail Barrel Racer Saddle 5PC SET $248.95 |
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8″ Lt OiL w/Green kid Western Trail Barrel Racer Saddle $168.00 |
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14″ Black Synthetic Western Trail Barrel Racer Saddle $156.00 |
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16″ Western Saddle Barrel Racer Beauty Show Horse rounded Skirt Trail PINK Suede $353.98 |
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7″ Lt Oil & PINK Kid Western Trail Barrel Racer Saddle $164.00 |
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8″ Lt Oil & blue Kid Western Trail Barrel Racer Saddle $164.00 |
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10″ TAN tooled Western Trail kid PONY BARREL racer TRAIL Saddle SHOW tack SET $259.98 |
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10″ Dark brown Western Trail kid PONY BARREL racer TRAIL Saddle SHOW tack SET $259.98 |
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12″ TAN tooled Western Trail kid PONY BARREL racer TRAIL Saddle SHOW tack SET $259.98 |
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12″ Dark brown Western Trail kid PONY BARREL racer TRAIL Saddle SHOW tack SET $259.98 |
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8″ Lt OiL w/BLaCk kid Western Trail Barrel Racer Saddle $168.00 |
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16″ Show saddle Barrel Racer Western Trail Showman LOil $328.00 |
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15″ Western Pleasure Trail Barrel Racer Double T saddle $365.00 |
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Barrel Racer Western Trail Saddle 10″ PONY Brown CLOSEOUT Kids Leather Pony Mini $224.00 |
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12″ MEDIUM OIL LEATHER Western Trail Barrel Racer PONY Saddle HORSE BRIDLE 4PC $265.98 |
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7″ Lt Oil & PINK Kid Western Trail Barrel Racer Saddle $168.00 |
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7″ L OiL Aq BLUE Kid Western Trail Barrel Racer Saddle $168.00 |
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7″ Lt OiL GrEEn kid Western Trail Barrel Racer Saddle $168.00 |
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8″ L OiL Aq BLUE Kid Western Trail Barrel Racer Saddle $168.00 |
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8″ Lt OiL w/BLaCk kid Western Trail Barrel Racer Saddle $168.00 |
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8″ Lt OiL GrEEn kid Western Trail Barrel Racer Saddle $168.00 |
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14″ Brown Synthetic Western Trail Barrel Racer Saddle $156.00 |
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12″ M Oil Kid Western Trail Barrel Racer Saddle Showman $268.00 |
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12″DARK OIL LEATHER Western Trail Barrel Racer PONY Saddle HORSE BRIDLE 4PC AQUA $265.98 |
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12″ RED HOT LITE LEATHER Western Trail Barrel Racer PONY Saddle HORSE BRIDLE 4PC $265.98 |
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13″DARK OIL LEATHER Western Trail Barrel Racer PONY Saddle HORSE BRIDLE 4PC AQUA $275.98 |
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13″ RED HOT LITE LEATHER Western Trail Barrel Racer PONY Saddle HORSE BRIDLE 4PC $275.98 |
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15″ Leather Black White Zebra Barrel Racer Racing Trail Pleasure Show Saddle $375.00 |
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10″MEDIUM OIL Western Trail Barrel Racer Pony Mini Kid Saddle 5PC Tack set $248.95 |
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14″MEDIUM OIL Western Trail Barrel Racer Saddle 5PC tack SET Season End Sale $248.95 |
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Youth Barrel Racer Western Trail Saddle 13″ Cob H D Oil $194.00 |
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14″ Black Synthetic Western Trail Barrel Racer Saddle $156.00 |
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10″ Med Oil Kid Western Trail Barrel Racer Saddle Double T Showman New! $268.00 |
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16″ BLACK SUEDE SEAT MED DARK OIL Leather Western Show Trail BARREL RACER Saddle $345.99 |
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16″ TAN BROWN OILED Leather SEAT Western Show Trail BARREL RACER Saddle $325.99 |
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14″ Black Synthetic Western Trail Barrel Racer Saddle $156.00 |
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RIDERS CHOICE 15″ BARREL SADDLE AMERICAN MADE RACER FREE SHIP LEATHER TRAIL NEW $425.00 |
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RIDERS CHOICE 16″ BARREL SADDLE AMERICAN MADE RACER FREE SHIP LEATHER TRAIL NEW $425.00 |
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14″ Black Synthetic Western Trail Barrel Racer Saddle $156.00 |
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14″ Black Synthetic Western Trail Barrel Racer Saddle $156.00 |
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16″ DOUBLE T WESTERN BARREL RACER ZEBRA TRAIL SHOW HORSE SADDLE 4PC $555.98 |
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14″ Black Synthetic Western Trail Barrel Racer Saddle $156.00 |
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Barrel Racer Western Trail Saddle 10″ PONY Brown CLSOUT $212.80 |
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15″ TAN BROWN OILED Leather SEAT Western Show Trail BARREL RACER Saddle $325.99 |
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17″ TAN BROWN OILED Leather SEAT Western Show Trail BARREL RACER Saddle $325.99 |
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12″ PINK BLACK Kid Western Trail Barrel Racer Saddle Abetta Classic Youth Syn $324.00 |
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13″ Natural & RED Kids Youth Western Trail Barrel Racer Saddle set Gift Idea $268.00 |
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12″ Natural & Blue Kids Youth Western Trail Barrel Racer Saddle set Gift Idea $268.00 |
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Zebra Horse Bridle Headstall Trail Barrel Racing Racer $21.99 |
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7″ Lt OiL w/BLaCk kid Western Trail Barrel Racer Saddle $164.00 |
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14″ Brown Synthetic Western Trail Barrel Racer Saddle $156.00 |
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Turtle Horse Bridle Headstall Trail Barrel Racing Racer $21.99 |
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Youth Barrel Racer Western Trail Saddle 12.5″ pony Dark Oil Boy Girl Kids Brown $225.00 |
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15″ Leather Teal Blue Zebra Barrel Racer Racing Trail Pleasure Show Saddle $375.00 |
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16″ Leather Pink Zebra Barrel Racer Racing Trail Pleasure Show Saddle $385.00 |
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16″ Leather Teal Blue Zebra Barrel Racer Racing Trail Pleasure Show Saddle $385.00 |
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16″ Leather Black White Zebra Barrel Racer Racing Trail Pleasure Show Saddle $385.00 |
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7″ Lt Oil & PINK Kid Western Trail Barrel Racer Saddle $168.00 |