June Bug Posted March 31, 2020 Share Posted March 31, 2020 (edited) Went over to the WC to do some lopping and trimming in the little section of trail between the cyclone fence and the left turn into Mark's Art and also the section to the right if you don't turn into Mark's Art. While working, I heard a bike coming so I stepped off the trail. The guy got right up to me and sneezed the wettest sneeze humanly possible just as he got even with me. Seriously, it raised the relative humidity and he had both hands on the handlebar so it was all just out there. Then another guy wanted to show me a picture of a mushroom on his cell phone in case I could identify it. No, just no. So, social distancing was not 100% successful. Anyway, this leads up to the real point of my post. There are a lot of people out and about on foot at Walnut Creek and I'm assuming every other trail system and also people who don't usually ride, like (no disrespect) guys in baseball caps on 26ers. It's spring; everything is growing and the sight lines aren't great. There are many, many more people hiking, walking, strolling than usual and for the most part they aren't alone. I know this because I could hear them talking, even if they didn't make the turn onto the section of trail where I was. They may be walking single file or side by side, there may be kids and/or dogs. They may have zero awareness that mountain bikers even use these trails. The guy who was trying to ask me about mushrooms had on big headphones and I've noticed a few people with ear buds talking on their phones while running. Save cxagent from agita by being extra cautious controlling speed when you can't see what's around a corner being ready for anything being super considerate of and courteous to your fellow trail users, even if they are oblivious Edited March 31, 2020 by June Bug 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreenMTBrider Posted March 31, 2020 Share Posted March 31, 2020 I’m going to be “that guy” and say it: They should shut down the parks. People are idiots and taking too many risks. Personally I’ve seen an uptick in people riding trails out here at Brushy without helmets on. Meanwhile, I’m 3D printing face shield components 24/7 to meet hospital demands. 5 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntonioGG Posted March 31, 2020 Share Posted March 31, 2020 28 minutes ago, June Bug said: While working, I heard a bike coming so I stepped off the trail. The guy got right up to me and sneezed the wettest sneeze humanly possible just as he got even with me. Seriously, it raised the relative humidity and he had both hands on the handlebar so it was all just out there. So where are the good spots to hide the bodies at Walnut? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATXZJ Posted April 1, 2020 Share Posted April 1, 2020 1 hour ago, June Bug said: While working, I heard a bike coming so I stepped off the trail. The guy got right up to me and sneezed the wettest sneeze humanly possible just as he got even with me. Seriously, it raised the relative humidity and he had both hands on the handlebar so it was all just out there. I would've have had a full on panic attack. f#ck that 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
June Bug Posted April 1, 2020 Author Share Posted April 1, 2020 19 minutes ago, ATXZJ said: I would've have had a full on panic attack. f#ck that I held my breath and walked back up the trail a little ways. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
June Bug Posted April 1, 2020 Author Share Posted April 1, 2020 1 hour ago, AntonioGG said: So where are the good spots to hide the bodies at Walnut? Any place you can dig a hole. ARR has lots of shovels. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
circuitbreaker Posted April 1, 2020 Share Posted April 1, 2020 walnut is pretty busy with people walking dogs even in normal times. i can't even imagine what its like right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntonioGG Posted April 1, 2020 Share Posted April 1, 2020 Walnut? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Posted April 1, 2020 Share Posted April 1, 2020 3 hours ago, GreenMTBrider said: I’m going to be “that guy” and say it: They should shut down the parks. Another option, and it has been done, I just don't recall where, is to close parks for automobile traffic. No driving to it, no parking. ...said a guy who lives at Walnut. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Posted April 1, 2020 Share Posted April 1, 2020 2 hours ago, AntonioGG said: So where are the good spots to hide the bodies at Walnut? You know that first tabletop on Outer Log? There's a pretty big hole started just off trail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreenMTBrider Posted April 1, 2020 Share Posted April 1, 2020 3 minutes ago, Barry said: Another option, and it has been done, I just don't recall where, is to close parks for automobile traffic. No driving to it, no parking. ...said a guy who lives at Walnut. I agree with this. .... said a guy who lives at Brushy. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntonioGG Posted April 1, 2020 Share Posted April 1, 2020 3 minutes ago, GreenMTBrider said: I agree with this. .... said a guy who lives at Brushy. Agree with this. Maybe I can go back to riding St. Eds without having to deal with loose aggressive dogs and clueless owners and people parking halfway onto Old Spicewood Springs Rd. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh Posted April 1, 2020 Share Posted April 1, 2020 I rode at Brushy last week and after what I saw I decided to stick to more remote trails. It was a shitshow out there. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AustinBike Posted April 1, 2020 Share Posted April 1, 2020 I have been on the streets unfortunately. My bigger concern on the trails is not some bonewipe sneezing on me, but crashing into me and requiring a trip to the ER. I don't want to be consuming medical resources unnecessarily. Between several medical issues going on right now, I am pretty much writing off 2020 for mountain biking. Normally someone buys a bike and the rain keeps us off the trails. Who bought something that brought this on???? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
June Bug Posted April 1, 2020 Author Share Posted April 1, 2020 Wanted to clarify about the relative number of people. I was on the far side of the park; there were no hordes as there can be on Saturday or Sunday morning at WC. But people were wandering in Tangle of Trails. It's partly an emphasis on realizing that people can be in unexpected places. That said, this was later in the afternoon (~3:30 to 5:30); the weather was perfect. The morning was windy, overcast and cool, not the kind of weather that draws people out. Plan accordingly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cxagent Posted April 1, 2020 Share Posted April 1, 2020 16 hours ago, June Bug said: Save cxagent from agita by being extra cautious controlling speed when you can't see what's around a corner being ready for anything being super considerate of and courteous to your fellow trail users, even if they are oblivious I had to google "agita". I pushed those same recommendations for years. I thought those were appropriate before the pandemic. Maybe people will pay more attention now. But I am happy to report - Its no longer *MY* problem. After 5 years I have passed on my patient and politically correct hats. I am glad someone has stepped up to wear them. 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntonioGG Posted April 1, 2020 Share Posted April 1, 2020 4 hours ago, AustinBike said: I have been on the streets unfortunately. My bigger concern on the trails is not some bonewipe sneezing on me, but crashing into me and requiring a trip to the ER. I don't want to be consuming medical resources unnecessarily. Between several medical issues going on right now, I am pretty much writing off 2020 for mountain biking. Normally someone buys a bike and the rain keeps us off the trails. Who bought something that brought this on???? I guess my Turbo Levo SL purchase caused it. 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
June Bug Posted April 1, 2020 Author Share Posted April 1, 2020 51 minutes ago, cxagent said: But I am happy to report - Its no longer *MY* problem. After 5 years I have passed on my patient and politically correct hats. I am glad someone has stepped up to wear them. cxagent, thanks for all of your hard work over these many years! Take a well deserved break and get back to enjoying life without that particular headache! Looks like some rain will be in the forecast until *checks weather notes* starting Friday and continuing to the end of the current 10-day forecast. Who knew e-bikes were so, uh, powerful. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhoAmI Posted April 1, 2020 Share Posted April 1, 2020 20 hours ago, GreenMTBrider said: IMeanwhile, I’m 3D printing face shield components 24/7 to meet hospital demands. Was that you I saw on Reddit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AustinBike Posted April 1, 2020 Share Posted April 1, 2020 6 hours ago, AntonioGG said: I guess my Turbo Levo SL purchase caused it. I told you those things were the beginning of the end 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_papa_nuts Posted April 1, 2020 Share Posted April 1, 2020 Pace Bend was basically empty today between 11am and 2ish. We saw 3 people on the trail. Great place to get out for some social distancing. Just be sure to pay double fees when they start taking payment again. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntonioGG Posted April 2, 2020 Share Posted April 2, 2020 8 hours ago, AntonioGG said: I guess my Turbo Levo SL purchase caused it. OK be honest, who thought I was serious? April Fools! 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tree Magnet Posted April 2, 2020 Share Posted April 2, 2020 OK be honest, who thought I was serious? April Fools!I was wondering who was going to give you shit first.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
June Bug Posted April 2, 2020 Author Share Posted April 2, 2020 50 minutes ago, AntonioGG said: OK be honest, who thought I was serious? April Fools! Gah! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreenMTBrider Posted April 2, 2020 Share Posted April 2, 2020 6 hours ago, WhoAmI said: Was that you I saw on Reddit? Not me. There’s a lot of people dedicating their 3D printers to help combat the medical supply shortage. I just shipped 24 face shields to NY earlier this morning. More being printed as I type this. 3 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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