# I Pit Mountain Bikes! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 3, 2008, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-mountain-bikes/451667 "2008-06-03T19:07:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2008, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-mountain-bikes/451667/1 "2008-06-03T19:07:42Z")
(and the jerks who ride them). In walking in the woods, i was enjoying the new spring flowers (lady slippers)-all of a sudden, the loud snapping of twigs-then this spandex-clad nitwit comes bombing down the path-he acted like HE had the right of way! Hew scowled at me and cursed-very nice of him! OK, yes, ride your damned bike-but shouldn’t PART of the woods be off-limits to htese idiots? :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2008, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-mountain-bikes/451667/2 "2008-06-03T19:25:48Z")
Set up traps, Predator style. ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2008, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-mountain-bikes/451667/3 "2008-06-03T20:17:30Z")
[QUOTE=ralph124c] OK, yes, ride your damned bike-but shouldn’t PART of the woods be off-limits to htese idiots? :smack: [/QUOTE] Most places do have areas set aside for only walking/hiking, so it might be worth checking into that. But in his defense, a lot of places don’t have any “bike only” trails or paths, so the mountain bikers in the area are forced to use trails that also have hikers on them, which annoys everyone (trust me, they don’t like it anymore than you do.) As for the cursing and being a jerk, well…being a jerk takes all kinds. Most bikers, like most people, aren’t like that, but you don’t remember the bikers that slowed down, carefully went around you or took a different trail when they say you ahead of them, you only remember the jerk that went bombing by and yelled at you. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2008, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-mountain-bikes/451667/4 "2008-06-03T20:22:57Z")
Mountain bikes are for people not smart enough to ride motorcycles. ---
**Author:** ![Ghanima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Ghanima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ghanima)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2008, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-mountain-bikes/451667/5 "2008-06-03T21:15:05Z")
Actually, the OP pits one mountain biker. Or perhaps they really mean to put all mountain bikes (and presumably their riders) into the same category based on one experience? ---
**Author:** ![stolichnaya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bcef8e/32.png) [@stolichnaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stolichnaya)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2008, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-mountain-bikes/451667/6 "2008-06-03T21:20:22Z")
Mountain bikes don’t ruin the idyllic communion with nature sought by people, _people_ ruin the idyllic communion with nature sought by people. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2008, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-mountain-bikes/451667/7 "2008-06-03T21:23:40Z")
[QUOTE=ralph124c] -but shouldn’t PART of the woods be off-limits to htese idiots? :smack: [/QUOTE] Around here, there are such parts. That doesn’t stop the assholes from riding there anyway. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2008, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-mountain-bikes/451667/8 "2008-06-03T22:15:07Z")
I feed orphans and run an abandoned kitten and puppy refuge. I also ride a mountain bike. Sometimes I crush the little kittens and puppies with my bike. I’m conflicted about this mountain bike thing. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2008, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-mountain-bikes/451667/9 "2008-06-03T22:43:54Z")
[QUOTE=levdrakon] I feed orphans and run an abandoned kitten and puppy refuge. I also ride a mountain bike. Sometimes I crush the little kittens and puppies with my bike. I’m conflicted about this mountain bike thing. [/QUOTE] You need to run over some orphans. Then symmetry will be returned to the universe and you will be in conflict no more. If you have further difficulty, consult your pineal gland. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2008, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-mountain-bikes/451667/10 "2008-06-03T22:46:21Z")
[QUOTE=Gatopescado] Mountain bikes are for people not smart enough to ride motorcycles. [/QUOTE] Motorcycles are for people too lazy to ride mountain bikes. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2008, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-mountain-bikes/451667/11 "2008-06-03T22:48:50Z")
[QUOTE=Q.E.D.] Motorcycles are for people too lazy to ride mountain bikes. [/QUOTE] Two wheeled vehicles are for people too drunk to balance a unicycles. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2008, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-mountain-bikes/451667/12 "2008-06-03T22:51:49Z")
[QUOTE=Stranger On A Train] If you have further difficulty, consult your pineal gland. [/QUOTE] Mine says “getcha getcha ya ya da da.” I’m not quite sure what to make of that. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2008, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-mountain-bikes/451667/13 "2008-06-04T00:41:33Z")
I’m a mountain biker. And a hiker. And a runner. I hate hikers who hog the trails by walking 3 or 4 abreast. And I hate those mountain bikers who don’t respect the decent hikers. Can’t we all just get along? ON YOUR LEFT!!! ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2008, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-mountain-bikes/451667/14 "2008-06-04T01:31:11Z")
For some reason, the “serious” bicycling demographic has more than it’s share of arrogant assholes. For every courteous rider who warns “On your left!!”, there are 5 who will speed past your elbow and scare the crap out of you. Or, on group rides, they’ll take up the whole lane on a 2-lane road, making it impossible for cars to pass. I used to ride with people like that, it was embarrassing how rude they were sometimes. OTOH, there’s not shortage of jerk drivers, either. Did you see the article about the incident in Mexico? (Warning: photo not for the squeamish) [Drunk driver plows into bike race](http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jC7kDSj_MJ-NbOCh7cYYYKYrOOjQD912BQRG3) ---
**Author:** ![chacoguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/50afbb/32.png) [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2008, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-mountain-bikes/451667/15 "2008-06-04T01:57:47Z")
Mountain bikes are merely the scouts for battalions of drunk, fat, ignorant, inbred, illiterate fucktards on their loud, smoke belching, bunny crushing, erosion causing, fucking, goddamned ATV’s. If we lived in a world that was intelligent, fair and just, I would command several carrier air wings dedicated to incinerate every Goober, Homer, Bubba and Cletus that ever sat his gigantic ass cheeks on one of those hell spawn machines. Fuck ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Scrappy\_Hero\_Pup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ea5d25/32.png) [@Happy\_Scrappy\_Hero\_Pup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Scrappy_Hero_Pup)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2008, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-mountain-bikes/451667/16 "2008-06-04T02:15:46Z")
[QUOTE= ralph124c] then this spandex-clad nitwit comes bombing down the path-he acted like HE had the right of way! [/QUOTE] Did he? A lot of times the right of way rules aren’t what we think they are. And a lot of times we think we have the right of way when we don’t. > [@](#): > > Hew scowled at me and cursed-very nice of him! Well, he’s a douche, then. But that’s hardly the fault of the bicycle. > [@](#): > > OK, yes, ride your damned bike-but shouldn’t PART of the woods be off-limits to htese idiots? Of course there are- perhaps you should walk on THOSE. 😃 [QUOTE= chacoguy420] Mountain bikes are merely the scouts for battalions of drunk, fat, ignorant, inbred, illiterate fucktards on their loud, smoke belching, bunny crushing, erosion causing, fucking, goddamned ATV’s. If we lived in a world that was intelligent, fair and just, I would command several carrier air wings dedicated to incinerate every Goober, Homer, Bubba and Cletus that ever sat his gigantic ass cheeks on one of those hell spawn machines. Fuck [/QUOTE] The two demographics are pretty exclusive. Besides, ATV riders are, as a group, pretty environmentally friendly, save, of course the outliers that get everyone’s attention. Oh, for the days of tolerance… ---
**Author:** ![intention](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e95f7d/32.png) [@intention](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/intention)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2008, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-mountain-bikes/451667/17 "2008-06-04T07:18:56Z")
Hi, my name’s intention and I’m a mountain bike addict. “Hi, intention”. The key is the bell. I have a lovely sounding bell, the kind like an inverted miniature gong with a little hammer. I slow down, and I ring my little “bing”, when I’m coming up behind or in front. When they see me, I then do whatever the situation permits - ride slowly around them, or get off and wait for them to walk past, or drift behind until I can pass them, it’s all mellow. One exception is steep downhill. There, I can’t do much but ring my bell on blind curves, keep the speed down, and be ready to stop. I’ve never berated a hiker, nor would the folks I bike with. w. ---
**Author:** ![BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bcef8e/32.png) [@BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2008, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-mountain-bikes/451667/18 "2008-06-04T08:50:00Z")
[QUOTE=Stranger On A Train] Two wheeled vehicles are for people too drunk to balance a unicycles. Stranger [/QUOTE] Unicycles are for chumps too uncoordinated to hop around with a pogo stick up their asses. ---
**Author:** ![Pushkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2008, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-mountain-bikes/451667/19 "2008-06-04T09:33:25Z")
[QUOTE=blondebear] OTOH, there’s not shortage of jerk drivers, either. Did you see the article about the incident in Mexico? (Warning: photo not for the squeamish) [Drunk driver plows into bike race](http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jC7kDSj_MJ-NbOCh7cYYYKYrOOjQD912BQRG3) [/QUOTE] I love that there’s always someone about who can think in a second “picture for posterity!” and take a snap. ---
**Author:** ![kferr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/71e660/32.png) [@kferr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kferr)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2008, 10:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-mountain-bikes/451667/20 "2008-06-04T10:31:33Z")
At least us mountain bikers don’t usually shit in the middle of the trails like the horses do. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-mountain-bikes/451667.md?page=2)