Today's run was absolutely horrible: starting at 74F and finishing at 86F (with about 85% humidity the whole time), this was the toughest 14 miles I've done in a long time. And calling it a run is overly generous, given the fact that I was so beat up on the first 8 miles that I walked the last 6 miles completely. What should have taken approximately 1:44 wound up taking 2:39 -- oy! Glad I didn't have anything else on my schedule for this morning.
With all that extra time on the W&OD Trail on my hands and that much more "traffic" to deal with, I decided I would gather up a few observations that I intermittently recognize during my runs. This is kind-of rant-ish. But here goes, anyway. Have anything else that you would like to add?
1) Don't assume that your bicycle is so loud that it can be heard. Sometimes, even those of us who never wear earbuds or listen to anything while out running, we have no idea you're approaching.
2) We don't have a rearview mirror, and even when we look over our shoulder to see if you're approaching, we don't always see you if you're far enough back at that precise moment.
3) When you're passing, make sure to call out "Passing!" or "On your left!" or "Left!" about 2-3 seconds before you actually reach us, or ring a bell 1-2 times (if you have one attached to your bike). Doing it while you are essentially next to my shoulder already is pointless. It also startles the runner who won't necessarily have the opportunity to shift a little further over to the right. (And, no, it is not "TO your left" it is "On your left" -- what, are you asking for the runner to shift to their left, just into you and your bike? Come on!)
4) If you're in a group, there are some good ways to go about alerting us to the peloton that is about to shizz past us:
a) Each person should comply with #3, above
b) The first person in the group should add how many bikes to #3 above, e.g., "Passing, 5 bikes!"
c) The last person in the group should say something like "last bike"
5) When you are passing, make sure to swing a little wide. This makes sure that you don't accidentally brush us. It also gives both the rider and the runner additionally leeway in case the runner's gait actually takes them further left than it should.
6) Pay attention to the vegetation on the side of the trail. Runners don't like running through it any more than cyclists like riding through it. We will usually do what we can with minimal energy to avoid it. Be alert to a possible shift by the runner. Again, even if we look over our shoulder a few seconds before we get to the overgrowth, you might be far enough back we don't see you and you make up the distance by the time we're both at the overgrowth.
7) For God's sake -- do NOT pass a runner on the right-hand side (unless it is an additional parallel path, like the gravel stretches at points on the W&OD Trail). Ultra-confusing, especially if you do wind up saying "Passing!" Even if you say "On your right!", the reflex that is developed is for runners to move to their right when they hear a cyclist coming. Talk about asking for disaster!
8) Runners should always signal their intention to pass someone. While the speeds are not usually fast enough to be as concerned with shouting out "Passing!", it is vital to have a hand signal pointing out to anyone who is approaching from behind that you are about to move.
9) If you are doing a U-turn, make a visible hand signal at least 1-2 seconds before you do so (while also checking over your shoulder) -- I tend to raise my hand and move it in a circle.
10) If you are walking or running with your dog, PLEASE keep them on a leash AND on the outside/right side. No one wants a dog suddenly trying to move into the middle of the path, tripping other runners or getting hit by a bicycle, both injuring the dog and likely sending the other person flying into injury, too.
11) If you are stopped, regardless of on bicycle or on foot, step off the trail (if possible) and keep parallel to the flow of traffic -- do not stick out perpendicular into the flow of traffic.
12) If you are crossing a road with actual vehicular traffic, make sure you are actually, legitimately clear to do so before setting off across the road. The cars really should NOT be stopping for you at the W&OD Trail crossings, so don't expect them to. And if one of two lanes does, be absolutely clear that there isn't someone coming in the second lane, not stopping, before you set out at all. If the various lanes of traffic do stop, get across as quickly as possible. Don't saunter across -- that's just plain obnoxious.
