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Observation and Perspective
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| Ride Stats |
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Distance:
12.75 miles
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Time: 01:01:00
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Max Speed:
23.70 mph
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Avg Speed:
12.54 mph
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Temp:
Avg: 60
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Category: general: leisure -
solo
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Route:
on the Canal
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Weight:
237
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Altitude Gain:
0 ft
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Avg Power: 253 W
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Calories Burned: 885
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Avg HR: 0 bpm
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Terrain: Road: Flat
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Bike: Dahon 32lb-Cadenza Folding
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Club: USA Towpath and Trail Riders association |
| Weather Conditions: a sunny breezy afternoon; West winds 5-10mph, gusting variably SSW to NE; |
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I was contented averaging 11.5 mph until a stealth biker endangered 4 pedestrians, himself and me as he passed from behind on the Erie Canal towpath without verbalizing a warning before attempting the maneuver.
What made the situation obviously dangerous, was this cyclist was passing me simultaneously as I was passing pedestrians to my right. I had just announced to the 4 walkers ahead of me "passing on your left". As the pedestrians closed ranks to the right I moved Left to make passing as safe as possible. I was traveling about 14mph at the time.
At that moment, a cyclist traveling at a considerably faster pace came up from behind. Without warning, the unseen, unexpected cyclist passed by left of me. So close that any miscalculation with his tactic could have caused an accident for any of the 6 of us on the towpath at that spot .
Faster traffic approaching from behind has an obligation to announce their presences and intention on the towpath. And if passing, the maneuver should be attempted with the utmost care.
The cyclist behind me and the pedestrians, made no audible indication of his intention. Additionally, viewing the situation from behind gave the speeding cyclist every indication that a dangerous pinch point would be created by his recklessness!
The cyclist was traveling about 18-20 mph -about 5 mph or so faster than me. The cyclist created an unsafe situation by his recklessness.
Accelerating as he passed, I tried to draft him. The best speed I could muster only maintained the distance between us momentarily. I was traveling at 18.5 mph at one point but couldn't muster any more speed.
Getting off the towpath, I tried to catch the cyclist. Hoping that riding up Lyell Road would allow me a chance at going a bit faster. Thus enabling a chance meeting head-on in Spencerport. Instead the roadway undulations versus the flatness of the towpath slowed me up in relation to his pace. I lost the guy.
I would have loved the opportunity to explain proper etiquette when passing on the towpath!
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