Prospect Park (not the murder)

You'ld think that people who enjoy the park would excercise a little common sense. To address the initial issue, why don't people throw their condoms in the trash the way they do with their dog's poop?

I'm a walker and a recreational cyclist, and my view is that offenders come in all stripes. The most egregious offenders in my opinion, are those who simply choose to stand around and socialize in the recreational lanes, whether they be cyclists, joggers, strollers or otherwise. I am under the impression than many park users have the attitude that the park is theirs to use as they wish. People have to realize we share it.

Even as a cyclist, I find other cyclists annoying. Especially the ones in their sponsor-spangled spandex who juggernaut through in flocks as is if the park is their private racetrack. I hope at least they get paid to wear all those corporate logos.

As far as those red lights are concerned, I think common sense should prevail. I believe that when a cyclist sees a red light, he should at least concede the right of way to anyone crossing or appearing to want to cross.

In the end the park is for pleasure and recreation. A little mutual respect is all it takes.

3) It's a bit unclear to all involved as to what the protocol is during no-traffic hours. Is the bike lane still a bike lane, or are the bikers expected to make use of the 2 free lanes of roadway? And what to do with roller bladers, roller skaters, kids on bikes, etc? My take has always been that the latter group should use the bike lane during these times.

First off there's no bike lane. There's a recreation lane for bicyclists and skaters. Rules for bicyclists and skaters are posted on prospectpark.org - I've copied the bicycle rules below (all more or less common sense except for the bit about requiring a bell):

>Pedestrians always have the right of way.
>Cycling is permitted only on the main Park roadway, Center Drive, and
Well House Drive. Cycling is not permitted on Park paths.
>Be aware that authorized vehicles use the roads at all times.
>Cyclists must travel in a counterclockwise direction and obey all traffic
signals.
>When the Park Drive is closed to motor vehicles, use traffic lanes - the
recreation lane is for runners and walkers.
>When the Park Drive is open to motor vehicles, use the right half of the
recreation lane.
>By law, bicycles must be equipped with bells. Helmets are required for
children under 14, and are suggested for everyone. Do not wear
headphones.
>Signal for turns and lane changes. Be cautious when passing others and
warn them of your presence.
>Only one rider per bicycle.
>Always use headlights, taillights and reflectors after dark.
>No racing allowed, except at scheduled and permitted events.

OnEasternParkway wrote:
Off topic a bit here, but I (and many of my fellow runners) have long been amused/confused by cyclists' need to wear full-competition gear for every ride. The padded bike shorts I understand, especially for men, but the team Cinzano ("Breaking Away", anyone?) jerseys and gaudy bike decals are beyond hilarious.

my 2 cents, as someone who is only now beginning to acquire the right jerseys and gear... you go out in the wrong stuff and you know it. I tried to go in my running clothes (something I am still having to do unfortunately) and you realize that you blow up like a marshmellow. Ha. The clothing is actually totally different. You still want wickability, but what fits for riding is totally not what works for anything else, mostly because of the wind. And given the jerseys are super expensive, you pretty much just have a handful of them, some of which are your team jerseys and others you buy for fun (I'm waiting on my Rosie the Riviter one). So I can somewhat understand why they are all decked out. But as a runner myself trying to transition to triathlete and having to learn all the biking stuff, that which I used to mock makes sense to me now.

And let me tell you... biking shorts are even more important for women. Most saddles are made for men. They are cushioned in the right spots. For women, most of the times we are stuck on mens saddles for racing and those padded shorts are the difference between... well... i'll spare you the details.

kosherdave wrote:
And what's with cars passing me when I'm going 30mph down the hill? What the fuck is the speed limit in there? 45?!?! They should put up a speed trap camera. something hidden in a tree so it would not reck the scenery, but slow the fuckers who seem to need to drive thru the park down.
Actually, I'd rather the park was closed to cars 100% of the time.

AMEN!!!
and add to it passing you close enough that their drivers side mirror grazes your handlebars. one day I am gonna pop out a cleat and kick a door when that happens again. cleats will leave a hole, for sure.

I will third that motion to ban all motor traffic in all of the park.

stacey wrote: [quote=Idlewild]I will third that motion to ban all motor traffic in all of the park.

Is the park open at all times to traffic I thought it was just during morning and evening rush hours (not that it is any better . . . .)

i believe its just commutes. But opening it to people trying to beat the car in front of them from parkside to GAP at 7am is scary. People FLY down there. And weave. And when they have someone else getting too close to them, they don't think twice about drifting or panicking their way over into the bike lane. It can be frightening. There is no need to "ease the commute" though the park, especially when a lot of people are out there running and biking anyway.

jayce wrote: [quote=kosherdave]
And what's with cars passing me when I'm going 30mph down the hill? What the fuck is the speed limit in there? 45?!?! They should put up a speed trap camera. something hidden in a tree so it would not reck the scenery, but slow the fuckers who seem to need to drive thru the park down.
Actually, I'd rather the park was closed to cars 100% of the time.

AMEN!!!
and add to it passing you close enough that their drivers side mirror grazes your handlebars. one day I am gonna pop out a cleat and kick a door when that happens again. cleats will leave a hole, for sure.

this is why messengers in boston carry u-locks in their back pockets. very very very useful.

jayce wrote: my 2 cents, as someone who is only now beginning to acquire the right jerseys and gear... you go out in the wrong stuff and you know it. I tried to go in my running clothes (something I am still having to do unfortunately) and you realize that you blow up like a marshmellow. Ha. The clothing is actually totally different. You still want wickability, but what fits for riding is totally not what works for anything else, mostly because of the wind

ah. I still ride in cut-off pants and a t-shirt. maybe it's just because I don't think I could manage to wear spandex and look decent, but I just can't imagine it makes that much of a difference. Especially since I'm not really road-racing, just riding as fast as I can on a track bike. Speed, in and of itself, is not all that important.

I usually ride in the afternoons, although I would be better off if I rode in the morning-time. If anyone sees a black track bike with purple rims, catch up to me and say hi. That's me. I'll keep my eyes out for you, Jayce, and your yellow bike. :P

Idlewild wrote:
Whatsaddles for men are you talking about? I have a Oasis gel saddle on a carbon stem (or is it "stay" or "post"?) and I wear Tricor gel pants where the gel packs must be 1 inch thick and covered in suede, and still after 10 miles....marone!!! I still get numb and sore.

Well, let me tell you... no seat is really comfortable. You gotta get saddle broke. I couldn't do like a gel saddle or anything because of the triathlon factor. If the fabric of the saddle isnt right, when it gets wet, it will crack. But when I found a review for my first stock saddle with my bike, I could only find 2. One described it as comparable to a brick, and the other saying it was the worst saddle ever. I describe it as riding a leather covered formica counter. Ha. So I swapped it. But most saddles line up with mens sit bones, which tend to be narrower. Womens specific saddles are few. So they may still hurt for guys, but at least your body weight is being born by your sit bones. On women, in general, its all the soft tissue. So your nuts might get numb, but at least its not your entire body weight on them. get it?

(can you tell I have done a lot of research on this?? guys get a kick out of a girl like me complaining about her nuts being sore. hahaha)

jayce wrote: [quote=OnEasternParkway]
Off topic a bit here, but I (and many of my fellow runners) have long been amused/confused by cyclists' need to wear full-competition gear for every ride. The padded bike shorts I understand, especially for men, but the team Cinzano ("Breaking Away", anyone?) jerseys and gaudy bike decals are beyond hilarious.

my 2 cents, as someone who is only now beginning to acquire the right jerseys and gear... you go out in the wrong stuff and you know it. I tried to go in my running clothes (something I am still having to do unfortunately) and you realize that you blow up like a marshmellow. Ha. The clothing is actually totally different. You still want wickability, but what fits for riding is totally not what works for anything else, mostly because of the wind. And given the jerseys are super expensive, you pretty much just have a handful of them, some of which are your team jerseys and others you buy for fun (I'm waiting on my Rosie the Riviter one). So I can somewhat understand why they are all decked out. But as a runner myself trying to transition to triathlete and having to learn all the biking stuff, that which I used to mock makes sense to me now.

And let me tell you... biking shorts are even more important for women. Most saddles are made for men. They are cushioned in the right spots. For women, most of the times we are stuck on mens saddles for racing and those padded shorts are the difference between... well... i'll spare you the details.

Also, watch many of the people running who are wearing technical running gear, especially shirts from races (especially NYRRC races). There really is no difference between that and being decked out in cycling "full-competition gear." What was said above is very true for technical cycling gear. It makes a world of a difference if you're going to be in the saddle more than a lap or two.

kosherdave wrote:
Also, watch many of the people running who are wearing technical running gear, especially shirts from races (especially NYRRC races). There really is no difference between that and being decked out in cycling "full-competition gear." What was said above is very true for technical cycling gear. It makes a world of a difference if you're going to be in the saddle more than a lap or two.

I have no issue with technical gear (and no issues in general -- just think it's kinda silly) -- but if I saw runners in the park wearing Kenyan national team singlets and shorts as well as road racing flats for a leisurely 5 mile easy day, I'd think them just as silly as the recreational cyclist on the $5000+++ frame and a Team Discovery top.

I suppose at the end of the day it comes down to my belief that for many people, cycling is an excuse to spend a lot of money on "impressive" new toys. It's always had an elitist feel about it, which is rare in the endurance sport world I know (running).

OnEasternParkway wrote:
I have no issue with technical gear (and no issues in general -- just think it's kinda silly) -- but if I saw runners in the park wearing Kenyan national team singlets and shorts as well as road racing flats for a leisurely 5 mile easy day, I'd think them just as silly as the recreational cyclist on the $5000+++ frame and a Team Discovery top.

Ok, I see your point
I think I'll start a trend and get a Kenyan singlet!

Idlewild wrote:
Whatsaddles for men are you talking about? I have a Oasis gel saddle on a carbon stem (or is it "stay" or "post"?) and I wear Tricor gel pants where the gel packs must be 1 inch thick and covered in suede, and still after 10 miles....marone!!! I still get numb and sore.

It is the gel. I ride a leather Coda saddle (you can still get 'em on EBay). I used to ride a little bitty Selle and where Tricors and I had nasty problems with soreness. A Belgian friend (bow to the bicycle gods) had me switch to a saddle and tradition chamois with the saddle adjusted correctly. Haven't had a problem since.

As for wearing team gear while riding, I don't. I was on a road racing team and I only wore their kit while racing. I trained in plain stuff. Cheaper and more suited (pockets, etc) to being alone a long way from home. I have a Credit Agricole jersey that I don't wear. Thor Hushvod it my fav rider.

Idlewild wrote: The Tricor I have is a chamois actually. I tried doing the Brooks saddle deal but that hurt worse than the gel seat. If you have some brand names my ears are open and my tuchas would appreciate it.

I think you may have a seat position problem. The older Coda brand seats are leather, but not like the Brooks seats. Those Brooks seats require a lot of care and break in and cost $$$$.

*coughGARMINcough* think running can be an expensive sport as well. You gotta replace your $100 kicks every 500 miles (which for me is about 5 months or less). At least with cycling gear, you really only have to buy it once...

Yeah, I have a GPS watch (garmin, which sometimes works) and replace my shoes every 300-500 miles too. It is expensive. But I gotta say, despite replacing things less often, my cycling "hobby" is muuuuuch more expensive. My carbon roadie was +3 grand, not to mention what I've added, and that's not even considering the clothing/helmet/shoes/bla bla bla...

In my humble opinion. Both can cause an athlete bankruptcy.

True Dat!

I'm curious. What kind of bikes do you guys ride and how do you like them?