bike race in park this morning
there is a bike race going on this morning and every freagin biker is blowing a whistle for some reason or another. its been going on since about 6 this morning. i don't think there are that many people or dogs crossing the road to warn folks that they need to blow their whistle incessantly. maybe i should throw eggs on them like the person does to barking dogs over near the dog run on 5th ave. Now there's an idea... :roll:
Comments
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I go to PP almost daily. During the warmer months it's almost impossible to even walk along the roadway in the pedestrian lane without being threatened by teams of bike racers who are not even racing but are just out practicing. And it's not just in the mornings but seems to go on all day. Car traffic has been replaced by lunatic bicyclers. At least cars paid attention to the traffic lights. Something has to be done.
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I agree. These lycra-clad Pelotons are just packs of dicks.
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tybur6 wrote: I agree. These lycra-clad Pelotons are just packs of dicks.
I've heard they preferred to be referred to as Spandex Parrots -
As a cyclist myself it angers me to see this. Its one of the few places we have to ride car free, and that includes the bike lanes. Yes we may ride close to the pedestrian lane, but that is because runners and the inevitable stroller toting jogger are running in the dead middle of the road. For those of you or stay on the sidewalks and in the pedestrian lanes thank you, for everyone else please stay in your respective areas and we'll stay in ours.
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Parsloper24.... as a cyclist MYSELF... I regularly feel endangered by the Peloton cruising the park. How fast are you riding? Is it above the SPEED LIMIT?! The answer is, yes it is.
It's one thing to yield to the pedestrians crossing the street or the slow-moving whoevers.... but while I'm cycling around the park, at a good speed myself, on the weekend and I decide to change lanes (to exit the road or whatever)... I don't even know how many times I've been shocked into a frightened new reality when a tight group of speeding lycra close to crushes me.
It's about speed -- not where you're riding.
So, be angry. I am more angry. If you want to ride *over the speed limit* on the park drive... how about you bring yourself and your buddies to a Velodrome somewhere. Otherwise, moderate your speed and stop riding like a pack of rhinoceroses. -
^ =D> =D> =D> =D>
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tybur6 wrote: Parsloper24.... as a cyclist MYSELF... I regularly feel endangered by the Peloton cruising the park. How fast are you riding? Is it above the SPEED LIMIT?! The answer is, yes it is.
slippery slope. If you want to enforce speed limits for bicycles, then how about the same for cars? Wanna guess which ones violate the laws more often or can do more damage? And what about regulations and laws for pedestrians? Let's go zero tolerance all around.
It's one thing to yield to the pedestrians crossing the street or the slow-moving whoevers.... but while I'm cycling around the park, at a good speed myself, on the weekend and I decide to change lanes (to exit the road or whatever)... I don't even know how many times I've been shocked into a frightened new reality when a tight group of speeding lycra close to crushes me.
It's about speed -- not where you're riding.
So, be angry. I am more angry. If you want to ride *over the speed limit* on the park drive... how about you bring yourself and your buddies to a Velodrome somewhere. Otherwise, moderate your speed and stop riding like a pack of rhinoceroses.
We all have to share the park. The OP mentioned a bike race that started at 6a on a Sunday morning. It doesn't strike me as a huge inconvenience for the masses if some folks are allowed to engage in a healthy activity before most of us are out of bed on a weekend morning. Heck, i'm annoyed that i can't run on the lawn at certain hours when dogs are off leash, but it seems like having some limited access for off-leash dogs is fair.
As for this morning's race, I don't know the specifics, but i do know that in the past there have been complaints about the lack of marshals and warning to pedestrians in the park. Better to have too many warnings about the race than too few. -
Subject: Re: bike race in park this morning
nony wrote: there is a bike race going on this morning and every freagin biker is blowing a whistle for some reason or another. its been going on since about 6 this morning. i don't think there are that many people or dogs crossing the road to warn folks that they need to blow their whistle incessantly. maybe i should throw eggs on them like the person does to barking dogs over near the dog run on 5th ave. Now there's an idea... :roll:
and just to be clear, none of the cyclists who are racing are blowing whistles. There are course marshals who are required to do so whenever a racer is approaching, in order to warn anyone who might be around. As i mentioned above, it's a safety issue and the PP Alliance requires that they be at certain places on the course. -
And just to be clear... if there *actually* was a bike race this morning, I accept that. HOWEVER, was there a bike race?! Or was it just the usual shenanigans?
And what is all this about "slippery slope"? Do you think I would argue that cars should be exempt and shouldn't be pulled over, fined, and controlled?! I would be happy to see the cars removed entirely from the park.
Again, just to be clear, this has NOTHING to do with sanctioned races with marshalls and a temporary restriction of the park drive. I'm talking about rhinoceros-like pelotons that circle the park throughout the day, every day. -
(It's the dickish entitlement attitude... not yielding or slowing down for anything. Baby carriage, families, dogs, squirrels, or other bicycles.)
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tybur6 wrote: And just to be clear... if there *actually* was a bike race this morning, I accept that. HOWEVER, was there a bike race?! Or was it just the usual shenanigans?
Even if it was the "usual shenanigans", I'm not sure i understand what is so offensive. But to answer your question, I don't know if there was a race in the park this morning.
And what is all this about "slippery slope"? Do you think I would argue that cars should be exempt and shouldn't be pulled over, fined, and controlled?! I would be happy to see the cars removed entirely from the park.
Again, just to be clear, this has NOTHING to do with sanctioned races with marshalls and a temporary restriction of the park drive. I'm talking about rhinoceros-like pelotons that circle the park throughout the day, every day.
I agree that cars should not be in the park. But they are. And a significant percentage of them exceed the speed limit. Yet it seems like a lot of people on this board (not saying you tybur6) like to make fun of their appearance and call them a nuisance. I've never seen anything posted here about cars speeding in the park.
And if a public park can't be used for exercise, where would you suggest cyclists go? A previous poster mentioned velodromes. There is one velodrome withing 150 miles of here, and it's locked.
I agree that some cyclists are reckless. And I call them out when they are. They make it bad for everyone. Yet no one is calling out the runners or walkers who break the law and park regulations. The fast guys are just an easy target. Plenty of slower riders are more of a nuisance because they lack handling skills, the ability to ride a straight and predictable line, and they are the ones who shift lanes or try to exit without first looking. Similarly, pedestrians and runners (who are often in the park wearing headphones or talking on the phone) often cross against the light or where there is no crosswalk without looking first. A law abiding cyclist who is not speeding is endangered by those actions, yet when there's a pedestrian vs cyclist accident, the blame usually goes to the rider. -
There were signs that a race was in progress from at least 8-9:30, but I didn't notice any racers or marshalls after about 8:30.
I'm out in the Long Meadow in the mornings when cars use the drive while the cops do occasionally seem to be ticketing for speeding, I think could make some $$ if they really tried b/c the cars going through there way above the limit are just accidents waiting to happen.
I use the park on foot and on bike, and I think the bikers are far more inconsiderate and dangerous and rude.
Despite what the "serious" bikers might think, there are times when pedestrians have right of way. If you want to keep biking, it's up to you to go around them not yell at the mom with a stroller "GET THE FUCK OUTA MY WAY"(hey, I have my issues with strollers, but not in the park). I've witnessed that and other versions countless times when someone was crossing the drive with a light. SHARE the park, folks. If you want to do serious speed riding, move somewhere else. Riding like that is not a given right and if you say you need exercise, there are plenty of ways to get it.
And my big gripe about bikers, especially on a sidewalk (which I know is another debate) is when they ride up on you with no warning. Just get a bell or at least shout "on your left" so we know not to turn left to look at something at that moment or to stop the dog from heading to the curb to pee. -
There's been a lot of tree damage lately in the park. So there are a lot of branches lying around. If you're threatened by the moving spandex target, a branch in the spokes could send the message.
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dw438 wrote: There's been a lot of tree damage lately in the park. So there are a lot of branches lying around. If you're threatened by the moving spandex target, a branch in the spokes could send the message.
way to keep it classy dw438. kinda like the cyclists who say "if they're in your lane, just knock 'em over". -
tybur6 wrote: I'm talking about rhinoceros-like pelotons that circle the park throughout the day, every day.
As a mod, I call upon Karl the Druid to make us a nice rendering of a rhinoceros peloton.
That is all. -
Sweat Tea -- if it could use the Rhinos in the style of Disney's Robin Hood, that would be great.
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Hey, the Cinzano peloton in "Breaking Away" did it with an air pump to the poor Indianapolis kid who just wanted to ride with them.
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parksloper24 wrote: As a cyclist myself it angers me to see this. Its one of the few places we have to ride car free, and that includes the bike lanes. Yes we may ride close to the pedestrian lane, but that is because runners and the inevitable stroller toting jogger are running in the dead middle of the road. For those of you or stay on the sidewalks and in the pedestrian lanes thank you, for everyone else please stay in your respective areas and we'll stay in ours.
Well it's one of the few places that I can walk car free without worrying about turning autos and wackos inn 3000 pound machines trying to beat out lights. The cars aren't the fucking problem in the park though. They have limited access and get tickets for speeding or beating out lights. You're just using that for an excuse. The problem is you! What do you and your companions do for a living that you can be in the park day after day ALL DAY? Some of us are there for maybe an hour just to enjoy nature, calmness not be driven half mad by your frenetic high speed behavior. When there are thirty or forty of you at a time it's completely and totally insane. If a little kid just happened to run in the roadway chasing a ball at that time he's done for. You should feel ashamed not angry. -
I have lived here for 13 years and NOT ONCE have I ever seen the Spandex Crew stop for a red light inside the park. Ever. I know how fast I can go on my bike and I am 100% positive they are going much, much faster than I can ever go, which means they are way over the speed limit.
I have to double and triple check every time I am getting out of the walking lane (yes, I use it) to make sure I am not going to be run over by these jackasses who show no regard for any rules when trying to exit the park.
I would love to see the police enforce the same rules that are enforced for cars and dogs on the bike riders. -
one word: invisible clothesline.
Ok, that was two words. -
MAT wrote: one word: invisible clothesline.
how many words is "it takes a big man to threaten violence while hiding behind an anonymous message board"?
Ok, that was two words.
TA has been out in the park and found more than half of the cars are speeding, yet no one there or here is suggesting we throw a rock through a windshield or two. And in my 20 years in Brooklyn, I saw more cyclists than cars getting ticketed.
*Some* of the posters have managed to make legitimate criticisms of cyclists without making fun of their appearance or threatening to hurt anyone. -
Oh get a damn life you thin skinned bike hipster. but yeah, if I saw YOU coming down the road - INVISUBL CLOTHELINE!!
Is that enough making fun of you and 'threatening' you? Good.
Now I'm off to threaten the lives of tricyclists on the other childish boards I roam. -
This was a sanctioned race - what's the problem?
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Bicyclists want to have it both ways: they complain all day long about how dangerous it is to ride in New York City with those crazy speeding cars all over the place, but couldn't give two s***s about the pedestrians, dogs, strollers etc. they blitz by at 30mph on a narrow path. It takes some chutzpah to act entitled, arrogant and aggressive, and aggrieved, victimized and self-righteous, all at the same time.
As others have said here, the park is shared space. Feel free to use it as long as your use doesn't interfere with my right not to get run over, or even, yes, feel like I'm about to get run over by a speeding phalanx of cyclists - which means you need to obey the speed limit. You honestly think that the fact that there's no velodrome nearby excuses anything? If so, then I hope you enjoy getting sucked into the vortex behind my car at 125mph, because, hey, the nearest racetrack is at Lime Rock. -
MAT wrote: Oh get a damn life you thin skinned bike hipster. but yeah, if I saw YOU coming down the road - INVISUBL CLOTHELINE!!
Hipster? Try again. I'm a 46 y.o, who wears pants that fit. Far from a hipster. I just don't appreciate your attempts at humor. No, i didn't take your little threat literally - you don't strike me as the kind of guy who would have the stones for a direct physical confrontation - but I still fail to understand why you had to chime in. Prospect Park is a tremendous resource for athletes, recreational exercisers, dog walkers, families, etc, and we should try to work together to make the most of it. I have volunteered my time and worked in PP toward that very goal, and will continue to do so. Other people in this thread made valid points and brought something to the table. You failed to do so. Last week Tony Kornheiser said that motorists should "kill" cyclists. Then he backed off and said "just tap" them. I guess you thought that was a laugh riot too.
Is that enough making fun of you and 'threatening' you? Good.
Now I'm off to threaten the lives of tricyclists on the other childish boards I roam. -
Astigmatism wrote: Bicyclists want to have it both ways: they complain all day long about how dangerous it is to ride in New York City with those crazy speeding cars all over the place, but couldn't give two s***s about the pedestrians, dogs, strollers etc. they blitz by at 30mph on a narrow path. It takes some chutzpah to act entitled, arrogant and aggressive, and aggrieved, victimized and self-righteous, all at the same time.
I happen to agree with you that many cyclists are hypocritical. For the record, on cycling message boards i'm usually the one scolding my two-wheeled brethren for many of the actions you're describing, so please don't misunderstand where I'm coming from. And your point about velodromes is well taken. I was just responding to a previous poster who suggested that we go there - i was not absolving all cyclists of all sins because we don't have a nearby track.
As others have said here, the park is shared space. Feel free to use it as long as your use doesn't interfere with my right not to get run over, or even, yes, feel like I'm about to get run over by a speeding phalanx of cyclists - which means you need to obey the speed limit. You honestly think that the fact that there's no velodrome nearby excuses anything? If so, then I hope you enjoy getting sucked into the vortex behind my car at 125mph, because, hey, the nearest racetrack is at Lime Rock.
As I've said before in this thread and elsewhere, there are irresponsible people on two wheels, two feet and four wheels. And as i just mentioned above, I've worked with the Prospect Park Alliance in an effort to make the park safer for all its users. Hopefully we can all play nice and coexist. -
I think the speed limit in the park is 30mph. Lance Armstrong and the pros might be exceeding 30mph in a time trial, but the average peleton, regardless of whether or not one approves of their attire, is probably not exceeding the limit, with the exception perhaps of the downhill section, where even I can hit 30mph.
Personally, I'm in awe of the spandexed peleton and every great once in a while, like to catch their draft. I'm kind of bored by cycylist vs pedestrian hysteria and what I consider overhyping in the media and really bored with the mocking of spandex. -
Astigmatism wrote: they blitz by at 30mph on a narrow path. .
huh? the park road is narrow? by what standard?
i'm not saying i've never had to wait to cross the street, but i am wondering how some of you manage to have so very much difficulty avoiding the bikes. for the record: i walk in the park often, sometimes in company of a stroller, and i've never felt the least bit afraid a bike would run me down.
i have zero interest in serious biking, but i like the idea that the park includes a mix of casual and serious athletes, along with folks like me who just like trees. don't you feel cheered by that sign near the zoo about the olympic (?) runner who trained in the park? i do. -
With the exception of the downhill section I rarely break the speed limit. I'm not saying we shouldn't share it, different people use the park for different things. Those of us going that fast are seasoned athletes who can manouver and actually handle their bikes, unlike some of the "hipsters" you claim we are who weave in and out of all 3 lanes making it even more of a dangerous experience for everyone. And hipster? No, I am a 24 year old who works 70 hours a week and whom on weekends, enjoys a few fast laps of relaxation around the park I pay so dearly to live near.
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parksloper24 wrote: With the exception of the downhill section I rarely break the speed limit. I'm not saying we shouldn't share it, different people use the park for different things. Those of us going that fast are seasoned athletes who can manouver and actually handle their bikes, unlike some of the "hipsters" you claim we are who weave in and out of all 3 lanes making it even more of a dangerous experience for everyone. And hipster? No, I am a 24 year old who works 70 hours a week and whom on weekends, enjoys a few fast laps of relaxation around the park I pay so dearly to live near.
I am sure that people who speed in their cars on the road think they can handle it as well....right up to the moment they crash into something.
Regardless of how young or old somebody is or whether they are a hipster or not, excessive speed + crowds of people = accident waiting to happen.
How about just obeying the rules - including speed limits, stop signs, red lights and staying in proper lanes? (and that includes everybody......)
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