Biggest Danger on the Freeway Track
Not the joggers, dog-walkers, wildlife, nor the weeds.
In my opinion, it's the idiots who ride on on the wrong side of the dividing white line so they can have a chat whilst ascending.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Darren Bosanko on -
Let me put this to you...If you think its acceptable to do 60km/hr down that portion of path where it is narrow enough that these "idiots" are a bother to you, I'd say slow down!
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Permalink Reply by Torsten Bunge on -
+1
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Permalink Reply by Dave on -
I agree that its not acceptable to do a million mile an hour past people when descending, but this can be an issue when doing a more casual speed of say 25-30 kph or less
Last week i came out from under the freeway (at devils elbow) to see a large peleton of riders coming up at me, i was going slow enough that it caused no grief, but I basically had to stop to let them past as they were two and even three abreast on the up track
Its not hard to leave enough space to allow the descending cyclists past.
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Permalink Reply by Dave on
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I should also note that keeping left also applies when descending! Some people struggle with this too
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Permalink Reply by rossmg on -
The first time I ever cycled up that track I noted that cycling down was probably not a good idea due to others haphazardly cycling (up) on the down side of that track. I normally take Greenhill Rd or Montacute Rd down.
If you are cycling up - yeah, I'd say stick to the left!
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Permalink Reply by MarkK on -
One day while climbing up the section between devils elbow and the MT bike park i had a group of cyclists (Golfers) descending in the up track. i have to pull over and wait until they had all pass before i could continue..
but i agree its only a matter of time before 2 cyclists are killed.
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Permalink Reply by Sam Young on -
Usually it's not a huge issue, and so long as everyone is polite and moves into their own lanes as soon as they see someone coming the other way (and stays in their own lane where they can't see), I don't think there's a big problem. Worse was the dog on the 10m plus lead that actually tried to attack me as I went up the hill. Any coincidence that I set a PB that ride?
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Permalink Reply by Jilden on -
Awareness of other road users is what avoids impacts. There's no prize for a fast descent if you hit someone on the way down.
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Permalink Reply by Frank on
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I ride there quite often, and agree, many folk are often too wide, all over the shop and or 3 wide.
I ride to suit the terrain and give myself room to move and know I can hit the anchor. Problem is folk on their grind up the path often have their head down and before you know it are off course.
I came close twice last year with a lady that was really struggling, lucky I have a huge bell(not), I shouted "Heads Up" and she quickly moved, so much so, she ended up so shocked, she ran into the bank over correcting.
I stopped and she was very apologetic etc.
I have dropped my speed considerably downhill there though, I rather crank it up hill.
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Permalink Reply by rossmg on
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Naturally riding to the conditions is correct and safe - that's why I typically take Greenhill Rd down - I can fang it :-)
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Permalink Reply by Edward @bikeadelaide on -
I think the fact that we are having this conversation suggests that the path is too narrow. Two-way paths really need to be between 3 and 4 metres wide - preferably 4.
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Permalink Reply by Will on
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I don't think it's necessarily wrong to occupy the right lane going up but you need to consider how much traffic there is at the time and also commit to keeping your eyes well ahead at all times as it becomes your responsibility to move out of the way of descenders. And for the bends that you cannot see through you should be moving back into the correct lane before or shortly after entering the corner. Of course, this is common sense.
Likewise, while descending I always keep the brakes covered where I can't see well ahead and slow down when approaching ascenders until I know they are aware of me, which in my opinion means slowing down even to the point where you're doing the same speed they are as you go past. Even then you need to be vigilant and stick as far left as practical to avoid someone else's possible erratic movement if they have their head down as they tackle the climb.
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