I don't get it... heckling roadies?

[gopherhockey]

So I picked up my new steed today and went for a ride down Diamond Path, accross to 3, up to McAndrews and back to just test it out on a short ride. It was about 95% wide shoulder riding.

What I don't get is that I got yelled at 3 times while riding. Usually cat calls from kids in a car or truck. I actually had to reach around and feel my shorts to be sure there wasn't a huge rip in em' or something...

Are people just that ignorant or annoying? Is this usual behavior for people passing road riders?

I know its all been discussed before on how inconsiderate people are.. and I've read with some interest, but now that I'm out there on the receiving end it makes the experience quite a bit less fun.

Its harmless I know... but I don't like that kind of interaction from people. THe next truck that passes could decide to swerve over just as quickly as they yell.... it is unnerving and I actually didn't enjoy my ride as much as I should have.

I guess I'm wondering if I should just expect this type of thing from time to time and get used to it as part of the ride, or if its really just once in a while... or are there times or ways to avoid it?

I'd also like to do a group ride sometime with some of you that know your way around a road bike. I need to learn the proper way to get around - to go through lights/busy intersections or cross roads safe and properly etc.

Anyone down in the Lebanon Hills/Eagan/Apple Valley/Rosemount area that would like to go for a ride and teach the noob let me know ;)

[ryno lite]

All I know is that the idiots of the world seem to love heckling endurance athletes. I think they are scared of these sports cause they don't understand them. When I used to run to train for H.S. Track and Cross Country, I was harrassed all the time. It was annoying. It was usually kids and the bottom of the white trash pile. I was from a small town so I expected it. I actually had things thrown at me a couple of times. Nothing like a beer bottle flying towards you to get running faster. That was very unusual though. I've heard the same stories about the way road riders get treated. Never have understood the mentality. You'll probably get used to it! I think it comes with the territory, my brother gets bothered once in awhile when he road rides back home. Hope it doesn't sour your road riding! You'll learn to have a great time on your new bike. I'll have to ask about it tommorrow at trail work!

[ostertoaster85]

My experiance is that it varies depending on the day and the road. For instance, south of my house, everybody is really nice and gives me lots of room (even when there isn't a very wide shoulder). I've never been honked at on those roads. There's a road North of my house, however, where there always seems to be a person that honks at me. Actually, in general, most of the rude people are north of my house. I don't normally go that direction.

Also, it varies from day to day. On some days, it just seems like everybody is cranky and in a hurry. It probably has something to do with weather or day of the week. It might just be that you happened to ride on a day when everybody felt like yelling at bikers.

[gopherhockey]

It might just be that you happened to ride on a day when everybody felt like yelling at bikers.
Thats an interesting concept... I should track how many times I'm yelled at and chart it to the weather, day, time, road etc. Then I'd have to haul around a clipboard wherever I ride.. ;)

I guess I could see this kind of thing just driving my car on the road too - road rage kind of comes and goes with the mood of the area.

[TomT]

If you pay attention, you'll notice a lot of trends to the heckling:

1. There is almost always more than one in the car.
2. The person that yells is always a passenger, hence more than one in the car.
3. They don't have much to say to you when you stop beside them at the next stop light.:laugh:

[LightWeight]

I've been fortunate, I guess. My commute takes me up Diamond Path and along Pilot Knob and I've never been yelled at. Granted, I do stick to the path on Pilot Knob - it's just too busy and the shoulder is next to nothing. Crossing intersections can be a bit tricky however. I've had a few close calls where drivers have almost turned into me when I have the right-of-way. Lately I've been pulling way out so I'm almost in front of the car in the turn lane so he/she can't help but see me. It also helps to say 'hi' if they have their windows open.

I'd be up for a ride if you don't mind going a little slower so my semi-slicks can keep up... ;) I'm on the corner of 42 & Shannon Pkwy.

[BrightYellow]

I have to agree, it's usually when there is more than one person in the car and the passenger is doing all of the talking. That is, until you catch up to them at a light.

I don't think I've ever had a problem with it when I ride up in Roseville/Vadnais/White Bear - but, it seems like when I'm down in Eagan/Apple Valley and the likes that there is always some ass yelling out the window. Maybe it's in the water down there.

[Magic]

I have had people throw plastic bottles, lit cigerettes and all sorts of stuff while I've beed road riding. Two years ago I had some young punks in a truck nodge my rear tire, which inturn sent me into the pickle patch. People yell that I don't belong on the road with cars. Most often these people don't exercise and are jealous of us that do. I've had bad times in Woodbury, Afton and north of Stillwater. I just keep riding along and getting plate numbers and turn them into the coppers. Don't let them get us down, that's what they want to do. We have just as much right to the road as they do.

[gopherhockey]

I have had people throw plastic bottles, lit cigerettes and all sorts of stuff while I've beed road riding. Two years ago I had some young punks in a truck nodge my rear tire, which inturn sent me into the pickle patch. People yell that I don't belong on the road with cars. Most often these people don't exercise and are jealous of us that do. I've had bad times in Woodbury, Afton and north of Stillwater. I just keep riding along and getting plate numbers and turn them into the coppers. Don't let them get us down, that's what they want to do. We have just as much right to the road as they do.
So the big question... do you flip em' the bird, or just ride along safely not wanting to add more confrontation? My instinct is to flip em' off, but that probably could make the situation even less safe and/or just make them hate bikers even more.

[GearDaddy]

Pretty much goes with the territory. It is nearly always a younger guy - the proverbial young punk - that feels the need to establish his superiority (really inferiority!) and be a jerk. Although incidents have been very few and far between, I've had beer bottles and even full cans of pop thrown my direction. The scariest incident I encountered was when a guy felt the need to pull over in front of me and threaten bodily harm. All of this on the commute to work through Bloomington that I had done hundreds of times before without incident.

It seems that either rural areas or inner city are the worst. I mostly ride in the Southwest suburbs without any problems, but if you're riding during rush hour there's a good chance that you'll encounter some irritated people. Overall people are real nice here in the Twin cities. It's a lot worse in other parts of the country from what I here.

I firmly believe in following the rules of the road when I ride. No blowing through stop signs, rather I actually stop dead or do a "rolling stop" just like someone in a car would. At busy intersections if I have ridden up the right side next to cars, I'll pull out slowly over to the crosswalk and let the line of cars behind pass. I'll take the lane when it makes sense, and I'll do my best to signal turns. In general, ride defensively and act like you're part of the traffic, and not some exception to it, and you'll be fine. The biggest thing is being predictable, as nothing pisses people off more than doing something unexpected.

[rusto]

This is just the classic I'm-in-a-bigger-faster-vehicle-than-you-and-I-can-harrass-you-without-having-to-worry-about-you-being-able-to-catch-me. Also, I think wearing a brightly colored jersery, clingy lycra shorts and canary yellow NW shoes might make you more of a target...

So what good would flipping them off do? At best, nothing, at worst, then they might turn their projectile around and take out their aggressions on you in a more serious manner.

I say, turn the other cheek, but get your CCW (carry a concealed weapon) permit, just in case :crazy2:

[Magic]

Normally I just keep riding along. But some days it get's the best of me and I flip them off or when I catch them at the next stop I voice my side of the issue. Even after they have rolled up the window, I still rattle on. This is why I now ride the roads less traveled by cars, trucks and whatever else there is out there.:)

[destrago]

So the big question... do you flip em' the bird, or just ride along safely not wanting to add more confrontation? My instinct is to flip em' off, but that probably could make the situation even less safe and/or just make them hate bikers even more.
It's a tough call. Usually people that do things like this are either genuinely pissed or trolling for trouble. If you flip off someone whose generally pissed they'll keep going, because they're probably going somewhere or late for something they think is more important than it is. If they're trolling, flipping them off will probably make the situation worse. I don't think, short of making you feel better, it can possibly do any good.

I don't ride a road bike but I've done 40+ mile road hikes on my mtb and 14+ mile commutes and run into these drivers here and there. Generally, I find having the control to not react or to just wave or otherwise acknowledge that I've heard them and don't care makes me feel far better than getting angry, and usually works out better.

As for who is doing it: see Tom's previous post. That's pretty much right on as far as I can tell. I don't know if this is true of roads, but out on waterways powered boats allways give way to sailboats which in turn always give way to manually powerd boats (like canoes or rowboats). I would think that the same would be true of roads, but don't know. I think size does have a bearing too: I don't know that anyone stops to threaten farmer bob who is driving his enormous tractor at 23mph on the side of a country highway: probably because his tractor could eat their silly SUV for supper and not get so mutch as a scratch, whereas a bike stands about as much chance against the car as a 3rd grader at a professional hockey game.

-Tony

[homebrewbiker]

I would think that you might be less of a target if in a group of riders and there are plenty of group road rides. I know most bike shops offer group rides and there is the roadie section of this site.

I took my bike out for a spin yesterday, but I just stayed on the bike trail and did not ride on the road.

When I used to take my hybrid out for a spin, I never had any problems riding through White Bear around towards Mahtomedi. There are some pretty good routes in the Minneapolis Bike Atlas or whatever it is called.

I always wear my loose fitting Tora Bora shorts and I have a plain blue jersey, not sure if the MORC jersey would inspire abuse or not, it is kind of colorful. I am too modest to want to wear tight fitting lycra shorts. Especially after I saw the guy at the bike shop roll in wearing that, and his body type did not really complement the outfit :confused:

[transplant]

I firmly believe in following the rules of the road when I ride. No blowing through stop signs, rather I actually stop dead or do a "rolling stop" just like someone in a car would. At busy intersections if I have ridden up the right side next to cars, I'll pull out slowly over to the crosswalk and let the line of cars behind pass. I'll take the lane when it makes sense, and I'll do my best to signal turns. In general, ride defensively and act like you're part of the traffic, and not some exception to it, and you'll be fine.

I agree. Act like you're a car. If you want to make a left turn, use the left lane. Signal when you do, so people know what you're up to. A tip: When in the turn lane, turn your bike sideways a bit so you're more visible to the cars behind you. If you're completely parallel to traffic, you're harder to see, no matter what garish jersey you have on.:crazy2: When going thru an intersection, I always point, with my arm straight out, at cars that could turn in front of me from the oncoming left lane or making a right. I even shout "Hey" or whistle if they seem oblivious. Both are attention getters. Then flash them a wave or peace sign after they've seen you. That usually diffuses any anger they might have.

[GearDaddy]

I would think that you might be less of a target if in a group of riders and there are plenty of group road rides. I know most bike shops offer group rides and there is the roadie section of this site.

<snip ...>

I always wear my loose fitting Tora Bora shorts and I have a plain blue jersey, not sure if the MORC jersey would inspire abuse or not, it is kind of colorful. I am too modest to want to wear tight fitting lycra shorts. Especially after I saw the guy at the bike shop roll in wearing that, and his body type did not really complement the outfit :confused:
There have been lots of discussions at roadbikereview.com about what you're wearing and what affect it has. One conversation talked about wearing patriotic looking jerseys actually warding off some of the jerks on the road. :laugh: This was coming mostly from people who ride in the southern U.S. The one thing that rings true to me is to simply wear something that makes you very visible. So those roadie get-ups do have their benefits in this area.

I've managed to never once have contact with a car in 20 years of riding. There are the people that see you, and still decide to be jerks. These are the ones that yell and/or "buzz" you by passing too close. Then there are the ones that simply don't see you. These are the dangerous ones in my opinion. Make eye contact, i.e. not glaring at people to try to make them obey you, rather so you can see if they see you. If they don't seem to acknowledge your presence, that's trouble and you should probably slow down and watch out. If you turn and look backwards at cars coming up behind you, they will generally respond to that as if you're going to do something and they will give you more room. That's an example of riding defensively.

Doing some group riding is a great idea. It will really increase your handling skills, it's a great way to learn new roads, and it's great fun. I always recommend TCBC rides, as they are very friendly to newbies, and they do a great job of providing lots of helpful information on scheduled rides. However, I have seen my share of poor road riding etiquette on some of their rides, but mostly it good. It depends on the ride leader.

[Shickdawg]

I definitely don't get it either. I try to ride far to the right, I signal, I obey traffic laws. But my wife and I were out riding on Madeleine Island (up in the Apostles) and had an apple core chucked at us from a passing car. Thankfully, the chucker was a poor aim. I honestly don't understand the mentality that would cause someone to truly want to harass someone who was just out trying to get some fresh air and exercise.

[TomT]

GO LANCE!!!


Heard that a few times while out riding. If they only knew how slow I really am.:mad:
I thought I was the only one that was mistaken for Lance!

[TML]

GO LANCE!!!


Heard that a few times while out riding. If they only knew how slow I really am.:mad:
Yup. I've heard it as well.

[Aaroneous]

I just heard it Friday while riding past the naked beach at Wirth... now that doesn't even make sense... :confused:

[jonbodin]

I mostly ride road and haven't had too much trouble. But that could be that when there is traffic I try to stick to paths or roads with wide shoulders. I tend to ride early morning (around 6:00 AM) and at that time on the weekends the roads are pretty open but during the week I try to stay with paths. I do get a little 'spooked' when I ride past side streets because most people seem to roll through the stopping area to get a better look at incoming traffic. About a week ago I was almost hit by a police officer in Plymouth because she rolled through the stop sign and didn't see me until the last minute.

I haven't been heckled but I have been given plenty of 'glares' by drivers.

[grizzly adam]

Unfortunately it happens. The cars think they are the only ones allowed on the road. And why shouldn't they think that? Drivers Ed doesn't really go over the rights of a bicycle on the road. Nor do the tests. It's frustrating, but I would say get used to it. Depending on where you're riding, you're going to run into it more in certain areas. My biggest advice is to just blow it off. Don't give back any obscene gestures. You don't know these people, they're mad/angry/whatever, why add to that? YOU know where you're supposed to be. You know the rules. Be confident in that.
As far as general riding, I stop at all the lights and signs and don't blow through them. Most of the time I have my team jersey on and I don't want to show everyone that BCR just ignores the rules of the road. I want motorists to think good thoughts about me when they see me out and about. I'll wear a MORC jersy for blowing through the stops! I KID!! I KID!! :D

I live in Eagan - just down from Leb. I'd be more than happy to ride with you and give suggestions about riding in traffic, a pack, how to ride no handed, drafting, whatever. Just let me know.

Don't be phased by the comments, soon you'll be like "whatever" and waving back at them and calling THEM names cuz they don't know better.

So I picked up my new steed today and went for a ride down Diamond Path, accross to 3, up to McAndrews and back to just test it out on a short ride. It was about 95% wide shoulder riding.

What I don't get is that I got yelled at 3 times while riding. Usually cat calls from kids in a car or truck. I actually had to reach around and feel my shorts to be sure there wasn't a huge rip in em' or something...

Are people just that ignorant or annoying? Is this usual behavior for people passing road riders?

I know its all been discussed before on how inconsiderate people are.. and I've read with some interest, but now that I'm out there on the receiving end it makes the experience quite a bit less fun.

Its harmless I know... but I don't like that kind of interaction from people. THe next truck that passes could decide to swerve over just as quickly as they yell.... it is unnerving and I actually didn't enjoy my ride as much as I should have.

I guess I'm wondering if I should just expect this type of thing from time to time and get used to it as part of the ride, or if its really just once in a while... or are there times or ways to avoid it?

I'd also like to do a group ride sometime with some of you that know your way around a road bike. I need to learn the proper way to get around - to go through lights/busy intersections or cross roads safe and properly etc.

Anyone down in the Lebanon Hills/Eagan/Apple Valley/Rosemount area that would like to go for a ride and teach the noob let me know ;)

[Crash]

Yup. I've heard it as well.
Nope - I never have.

Are you guys wearing full on US postal garb :shocked:

[Crash]

Anyone down in the Lebanon Hills/Eagan/Apple Valley/Rosemount area that would like to go for a ride and teach the noob let me know ;)
John - Just let me know when you are going out and lets hook up. I have some good 25 to 45 mile routes with some nice shoulders.

[igor]

Got honked at today coming home from work. There were 3 of us on bikes and a car was behind us. I gues we weren't going fast enough. I gave her the stare and another guy gave her the finger.

[ryno lite]

You're smart Igor, you ride in packs! It's more fun to have someone give someone the bird with backup around!

[grizzly adam]

Got honked at today coming home from work. There were 3 of us on bikes and a car was behind us. I gues we weren't going fast enough. I gave her the stare and another guy gave her the finger.
Was it a long honk or a short, "I'm coming around" type of honk. I've had those before.

Not to point a finger or anything, but how where the 3 of you riding? Single-file, two up front one back....what kind of road was it on?

Tyson and I rode TOMRV this year, a two-day double century in Iowa and Illinois and I was amazed at the number of riders who were riding in the road. Several times we had to go into the opposite lane just to pass riders. It was crazy. We would say something, letting them know we were coming and they would move over about a foot. Some people just don't get it.

[stoneage]

"So the big question... do you flip em' the bird, or just ride along safely not wanting to add more confrontation? My instinct is to flip em' off, but that probably could make the situation even less safe and/or just make them hate bikers even more."

Ignoring them is the best thing, after all they are just immature jerks, so treat them like you would an obnoxious child. Ignore them and they will go away. You wouldn't want them to take out their aggression on the next biker they see.
UNLESS, they actually threaten you with an object or the vehicle. Then get as much of the license number and description of the car that you can and report the incident to the police. They have to take the information, and that report can be used as backup evidence if the same vehicle is involved in another incident. Cel phones are a godsend in this instance.

[syntaxjunkie]

While it's not like me to be positive about anything, I thought I'd mention something kinda cool that happened to me riding home from work a few weeks ago. I work in downtown Minneapolis, and my ride home takes me on the commuter path that starts at Glenwood by Lee's. Anyway, I got on the path just behind a guy riding a nice road bike and sporting a backpack (containing work duds, no doubt), just like me. The commuter path is all but deserted until you hit the lakes, so I usually try to hold a pretty good pace on it. The guy ahead of me has the same idea, so I drop in behind him. A glance at the odometer tells me we're doing about 4mph faster than I can usually do solo, and it feels easy. So after a bit, I pulled alongside him and said, "I can't let you do all the work. Want to ride my wheel for awhile?" He kind of did a double-take and said, "Sure." So I paced him until the cutoff to Calhoun, where we split up. I've never done that before, but it was great to have a mini-paceline on the way home. Maybe it was just Tour fever, but I also think it's got something to do with the cycling mentality. And it was a nice reminder that biking to work is one of the smarter decisions I've ever made.

[halls]

First of all that new Madone is a sweet ride. nice bike. Having objects thrown at you, heckling, cars trying to intimidate you etc. ,these are part of road riding. But it's usually a small % of the folks that actually will hassle you. I hope you find a group ride to go on now and then. TCBC would be a good one to show you ways to handle all the scenarios that can come up. Many years ago in the late 70's i was riding the Iron Man in april and a truck came passing by with people throwing eggs at us from the back of the truck! I think one of the big attractions of mtn. biking is you can get away from it all. Just give'em a smile and keep riding. :cool:

[ryno lite]

Yep, I agree Bill, no idiots in vehicles back in Leb to ruin a great ride!

[gopherhockey]

Yep, I agree Bill, no idiots in vehicles back in Leb to ruin a great ride!Just the occasional idiot skidding mountain biker... ;) Thats one nice thing about road riding that I'm finding... you don't have to build (or even maintain) the trails and I can ride without worrying about sections that need fixing.

However, I have noticed that some nice bikers have done some painting on the shoulders warning of upcoming gravel, shoulders getting thin etc. Pretty cool - wonder who did that....

[ryno lite]

Hey John, you know it's no fun to bike Leb without skidding!

[tmac]

However, I have noticed that some nice bikers have done some painting on the shoulders warning of upcoming gravel, shoulders getting thin etc. Pretty cool - wonder who did that....
The warnings on the road sound like they may be from an event - I have never heard of a rider stopping to paint a warning to other riders before. I have seen that before on organized rides like the AIDSRide, Ironman and TOMRV, however.

And just wait until you ride in the spring - you will have a whole new appreciation for trail maintenecne. Water-filled potholes may not have a bottom. . . .

[TomT]

However, I have noticed that some nice bikers have done some painting on the shoulders warning of upcoming gravel, shoulders getting thin etc. Pretty cool - wonder who did that....
I think it was "Wierd Witch of the Woods".

[bradpartyka]

I ride along McAndrews and never had one problem. Actually, I love it. Now Cliff Road is another story. I've seen a few bikers hit by cars there. I could see 3 being rough.

Now everyone is always screaming about the cars not sharing the rode. And they are horrible. I've been screamed at and nearly hit. However what about the roadies riding 6 deep taking up a whole lane? This really pisses of the cars. Me included. Roadies taking up a whole lane is only going to make more trouble for all bikers.

Enough said, lets just share the road and have fun on our bikes.

[Von]

I spend a lot of time riding the road to keep me in shape for the trails. One lesson I have learned to help me avoid savage drivers is to ride early in the day. I have found that any ride I do after 3:00 PM will more than likely result in some loud mouth remark or worse from passing drivers. I have never had a problem while riding in the morning or early afternoon. Oh...one other thing, never and I mean never flip off someone in a car. You are to easily caught and or run over. People in cars are wacked out too often for us bikers to mess with. Just turn your rage into more speed. Look at it as legal EPO. Oh, and don't the the jerks get you down. We ride because we love to ride. Never forget that.

[Crash]

I ride along McAndrews and never had one problem. Actually, I love it. Now Cliff Road is another story. I've seen a few bikers hit by cars there. I could see 3 being rough.

Now everyone is always screaming about the cars not sharing the rode. And they are horrible. I've been screamed at and nearly hit. However what about the roadies riding 6 deep taking up a whole lane? This really pisses of the cars. Me included. Roadies taking up a whole lane is only going to make more trouble for all bikers.

Enough said, lets just share the road and have fun on our bikes.
Hiway 3 is no problem. Big, wide 10 ft shoulder. You couldn't ask for anything better. Been riding it for years with very few problems. Cliff on the other hand, has no shoulder and is a busy road. I don't understand while people ride it. Blackhawk/Galaxie is only a few blocks west of it and has a nice wide shoulder with a lot less trafic. Down 3, accross McAndrews and back up Galaxie/Blackhawk and all is good!

[bradpartyka]

Hiway 3 is no problem. Big, wide 10 ft shoulder. You couldn't ask for anything better. Been riding it for years with very few problems. Cliff on the other hand, has no shoulder and is a busy road. I don't understand while people ride it. Blackhawk/Galaxie is only a few blocks west of it and has a nice wide shoulder with a lot less trafic. Down 3, accross McAndrews and back up Galaxie/Blackhawk and all is good!
I ride Cliff because I live off of it. It's the only way I can get to Blackhawk/Galaxie.

[Don Youngdahl]

So the big question... do you flip em' the bird, or just ride along safely not wanting to add more confrontation? My instinct is to flip em' off, but that probably could make the situation even less safe and/or just make them hate bikers even more.
Don't flip them the bird unless you're prepared for a possible major confrontation with multiple rednecks. I've had a close call or two from my younger, more impetuious days that fortunately didn't result in bruises & welts, but a friend from Pennsylvania told a story about an encounter that resulted in a major 2 or 3 against one battle that he survived in good shape only because he's about the fittest, strongest cyclist I've encountered recently.

The best response to rudeness or disrespect from autos is to wait until they are out of earshot, and then direct at them the loudest, foulest obscenity (or string of obscenities) that your standards of decorum will allow for the company you're riding with. In other words, if Liz and her mother are riding with you, you'd say something milder than if your old fraternity brother were with you. That makes you feel much better, at minimal risk.

Don Youngdahl

[ice ice baby]

I run over 40 miles a week for Apple Valley CC and get "yelled" at all the time on the road, even if I'm running on the sidewalk. I just tend to ignore how rude and inconsiderate people are, unless they are fine ladies of course ;) ...they don't get that "run forest run" gets old after a while....
All I know is that the idiots of the world seem to love heckling endurance athletes. I think they are scared of these sports cause they don't understand them. When I used to run to train for H.S. Track and Cross Country, I was harrassed all the time. It was annoying. It was usually kids and the bottom of the white trash pile. I was from a small town so I expected it. I actually had things thrown at me a couple of times. Nothing like a beer bottle flying towards you to get running faster. That was very unusual though. I've heard the same stories about the way road riders get treated. Never have understood the mentality. You'll probably get used to it! I think it comes with the territory, my brother gets bothered once in awhile when he road rides back home. Hope it doesn't sour your road riding! You'll learn to have a great time on your new bike. I'll have to ask about it tommorrow at trail work!

[destrago]

I just saw this on the shoulder on Pilot Knob just north of 160th. I'm thinking this might be directed at car drivers. There has been a lot of dump truck traffic there recently and idiots have been passing them on the poorly paved shoulder and then all of a sudden it turns to gravel. But it works for bikers too. :etard:

Actually, I think someone has been bike friendlyifying (pronounce it, it's a word, almost) the Eagan/Bloomington area. The 4 mile trek along 494 connecting bloomington and Eagan has markings in Bloomington that say: "Your Journey Begins here".... "Bikers Rule"...."God Speed" - In that order on your way into the path. It makes me smile and adds 3-4mph to my speed every time I ride over it.

-Tony

[gopherhockey]

Actually, I think someone has been bike friendlyifying (pronounce it, it's a word, almost) the Eagan/Bloomington area. The 4 mile trek along 494 connecting bloomington and Eagan has markings in Bloomington that say: "Your Journey Begins here".... "Bikers Rule"...."God Speed" - In that order on your way into the path. It makes me smile and adds 3-4mph to my speed every time I ride over it.

-Tony
Yea, the section I was on said something like "gravel ahead, ride safe!" Pretty cool...