csmceuen Posted February 25, 2019 Share Posted February 25, 2019 Keep on seeing groups of guys out on the trails at walnut in groups of 10 or so riding those one wheeled skateboard contraptions. Just curious about your guys thoughts on them? They are very respectful and seem like cool dudes. Talked to them and they are very conscious about not riding wet trails which is more than I can say for a lot of other trail users... Also I feel like they do a pretty great job at packing in the trails as well which is a nice add. I have just seen more and more of them out there and was curious if you guys have had any negative experience with them or if the pose a threat to trail use in any way. Discuss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntonioGG Posted February 25, 2019 Share Posted February 25, 2019 I've already posted about this elsewhere. I think these guys are good as far as I'm concerned. My experience when meeting them is positive (goes to show we all should strive to make a good first impression!) Their big fat tires are easier on the trail than some of our tires. Unlike people on scooters, these guys are actually working out. It looks to me like surfing on trails which I think is awesome. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Posted February 25, 2019 Share Posted February 25, 2019 The question I always ask is, "do they harm the trail experience for other users." Say, a 4 wheeled ATV on singletrack, for example. But even in large groups these folks seem fine and they don't interrupt my experience any more than a hiker. The only caveat is if they start moving roots and rocks out of their way to more accommodate their equipment or skill level. That's when it woudl be a problem. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
csmceuen Posted February 25, 2019 Author Share Posted February 25, 2019 3 minutes ago, AntonioGG said: I've already posted about this elsewhere. I think these guys are good as far as I'm concerned. My experience when meeting them is positive (goes to show we all should strive to make a good first impression!) Their big fat tires are easier on the trail than some of our tires. Unlike people on scooters, these guys are actually working out. It looks to me like surfing on trails which I think is awesome. Yeah I remember seeing them discussed briefly, but I have just been seeing more and more of them and I was just curious since it looks like is a quickly growing user group. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntonioGG Posted February 25, 2019 Share Posted February 25, 2019 2 minutes ago, Barry said: The only caveat is if they start moving roots and rocks out of their way to more accommodate their equipment or skill level. That's when it woudl be a problem. I've actually seen them enjoy the challenge. I've seen them sessioning stuff at Walnut. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoneyBadger Posted February 25, 2019 Share Posted February 25, 2019 They are showing up at Brushy Creek too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teamsloan Posted February 25, 2019 Share Posted February 25, 2019 I'm torn. I'm pretty discriminating against all "E-things" on our trails. I don't like the idea of opening up the door to any sort of motorized vehicles as I think it sets up a slippery slope. In reality though, when I took my son hiking at Walnut yesterday we encountered a number of them and they all seemed nice and responsible. Essentially they were exactly as described by everyone else in this thread. So, aside from my innate distain of electric motors on the trails...I couldn't really find any reason to hate them. I had way more issue with the dogs honestly. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cafeend Posted February 25, 2019 Share Posted February 25, 2019 16 minutes ago, HoneyBadger said: They are showing up at Brushy Creek too. Right , Wrong or Indifferent, The east side of your trail would be pretty cool for those dirt surfers 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoneyBadger Posted February 25, 2019 Share Posted February 25, 2019 I agree it's a slippery slope. If you allow one electric vehicle why not another....and boom, next thing you know the e-bikes are tearing shit up and stealing KOM's 😉 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntonioGG Posted February 25, 2019 Share Posted February 25, 2019 I really don't care about KOMs. I am also not convinced that e-bikes (and particularly the folks buying those e-bikes) will do any more damage than those of us that can do 1.5kW in short bursts, or drag the rear tire around turns, etc. I do share the concern about the slippery slope though. I'm OK with these one-wheel and e-bikes b/c torque is limited, but I'd be concerned that electric motorcycles would slip by. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notyal Posted February 25, 2019 Share Posted February 25, 2019 I'm concerned that y'all are grouping all these one-wheelers into one personality type. These are being ridden by individuals. It only takes one asshole dumbing down the trail for everyone and running old ladies into cacti. As this is a brand new form of trail users, they aren't going to have the "town elders" that we have to teach trail etiquette to the younger riders. I think it is a good idea for MTBers to maintain a healthy relationship. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
csmceuen Posted February 25, 2019 Author Share Posted February 25, 2019 22 minutes ago, notyal said: I'm concerned that y'all are grouping all these one-wheelers into one personality type. These are being ridden by individuals. It only takes one asshole dumbing down the trail for everyone and running old ladies into cacti. As this is a brand new form of trail users, they aren't going to have the "town elders" that we have to teach trail etiquette to the younger riders. I think it is a good idea for MTBers to maintain a healthy relationship. As of right now most of the one wheelers are part of a group that does meet up and organized events. I talked to one of the leaders of the local group and he does his best before each ride to reiterate that they should be respectful and conscious whilst out on the trails. Not saying all of the users are part of the group, but a good amount are. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockshins Posted February 25, 2019 Share Posted February 25, 2019 I ran into the one wheelers at walnut on Sunday, they were very cool and I helped them find an injured rider. It was a pain when their pack started and you had to wait a while but otherwise they were cool. Were only riding the mellower stuff like inner log loops and .6. Ran into motorized unicycles as well, guy was going pretty slow on outer log loops, but otherwise they were cool as well. I also don't know what to think, but has me concerned that all kinds of motorized contraptions are going to be on the trails. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
csmceuen Posted February 25, 2019 Author Share Posted February 25, 2019 1 hour ago, AntonioGG said: Drag the rear tire around turns... There is a special place in hell for these people. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tree Magnet Posted February 25, 2019 Share Posted February 25, 2019 1 hour ago, rockshins said: Ran into motorized unicycles as well I saw a dude flying down Parmer on one of these. He was seriously hauling ass with lights all over it. Cool looking thing. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teamsloan Posted February 25, 2019 Share Posted February 25, 2019 (edited) 2 hours ago, AntonioGG said: ...but I'd be concerned that electric motorcycles would slip by. This and God help us if we start seeing the scooters out there...with their helmet-less, selfie stick wielding, wayfarer shaded, scarf-with-short sleeved shirt wearing, cut-off skinny jeaned, Toms footed pilots. *Sorry if you like Wayfarers, skinny jeans, or Toms. Edited February 25, 2019 by Teamsloan 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
csmceuen Posted February 25, 2019 Author Share Posted February 25, 2019 43 minutes ago, Teamsloan said: *Sorry if you like Wayfarers, skinny jeans, or Toms. I like all of the above...should I just go die now? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AustinBike Posted February 25, 2019 Share Posted February 25, 2019 Because they are electric powered, they fall into the "not allowed on the trails" in my book. While everyone says these guys are cool, I encountered one and when I said "I don't think you are supposed to have electric vehicles on the trail" he let loose with a hell of a lot of expletives about bikers, and YES HE COULD ride anywhere he damn well pleased. So, instead of asking all of us what we think, we should probably be asking the city what the ruling is on these (yeah, slippery slope...) I am fine with them as long as they are following the rules, but my experience has been that encountering one on the trail is WAY different than coming up on another bike - harder to get around, harder for them to maneuver and highly likely to end up spilling the rider when trying to pass. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larlev Posted February 26, 2019 Share Posted February 26, 2019 Kinda like the things though. Sure looks fun 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notyal Posted February 26, 2019 Share Posted February 26, 2019 17 hours ago, csmceuen said: I like all of the above...should I just go die now? No, just grab an electric scooter and hit the trails. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_papa_nuts Posted February 28, 2019 Share Posted February 28, 2019 New Austin sucks. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soap94 Posted April 14, 2019 Share Posted April 14, 2019 On 2/26/2019 at 3:13 PM, notyal said: No, just grab an electric scooter and hit the trails. They're quite dangerous. I bought a small toddler scooter for my kid, which was actually highlighted in this list bestproductspro.com. I would personally also prefer scooter to a bike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GFisher Posted April 17, 2019 Share Posted April 17, 2019 I heard a one-wheeler got hurt at WC yesterday and had to be taken out by EMS on a stretcher. The witness was a runner who just uses the concrete path so I had a hard time getting an exact location but she claims he was off in the singletrack under/near a bridge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tree Magnet Posted April 17, 2019 Share Posted April 17, 2019 A one wheel rider named Freddie came out and helped the ARR work crew this past Sunday. He grabbed a shovel and spent some time helping us maintain the trail. In fact, he was able to ride that one wheel across the face of the berm and pack it in really nice! He said the goal of his group of riders was to have a one wheel rider on every trail crew. That being said, I talked to him about the concerns that the mountain bike community have about ANY trail user group modifying the trail surface to suit their unique approach to enjoying the trail at the expense of the other trail users. It's the same reason we don't create big trail features without B lines that are great fun to ride but the hikers can't negotiate. He got it. They are looking for smoother trails without rocks the are fun to ride. Point 6 is their idea of heaven while something like Deception would be a nightmare. I have no problems with these guys enjoying nature and the trails that we all love so much. The more advocates that we have using these trails in a responsible way gives us all more power to keep them protected and accessible. 9 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GFisher Posted April 17, 2019 Share Posted April 17, 2019 I'm curious if subject of them being motorized vehicles and their access being grey (at best) come up? I personally don't think there is any doubt the rules explicitly exclude them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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