Don't Be Stupid

You Can't Mean Me Dude

Marin County was in the news reacently. Rangers are  being issued radar guns in order to crack down on speeding mountain bikers.

I had been riding Mt Tamalpias for almost thirty years and the number of knucklehead cyclist I've seen I  can count on one hand.

That is not to say there aren’t any jerkface cyclists but as a reformed trail poacher I can say I have engaged in my share of bad behavior.

Recently did a Tam ride and the two user groups I saw engaging in poor behavior were hikers and people with dogs.

I saw dog walkers exiting areas where dogs were prohibited and their dogs off leash and not under voice control.

I saw dog walkers on fireroads with their dog off leash despite signs saying all dogs must be on leash.

And I saw numerous hikers either walking solo in the middle of the trail with headphones on (making it difficult for them to hear you begging for permission to pass) or hikers walking two or three abreast (again, making it difficult to safely pass).

Lastly, there was an issue of litter. Mostly it was small stuff like tissue paper but most cyclist I know will just close off one of their nostrils and blow rather than using a hanky.

Off leash dogs are one of my personal gripes. Sure, the number of open spaces where you can let Bailey or Bella run free are limited but if you are walking in an area that has both mountain lions and poison oak you may want to play it safe.

Not to mention if you have a dog breed that is known to have a strong prey drive any fast moving object may be considered a target, including children.

Headphone use is also a pet peeve of mine. As a cyclist, I use my ears to alert me to a number of mechanical issues a bike may experience off road. I can tell if a bike isn’t shifting well if there are any issues with my brakes or what sort of traction my tires may be getting. Headphones simply obliterate one of my senses.

Using headphones while hiking is also problematic, especially in mountain lion territory. Mountain lions are ambush hunters and while mountain lion attacks are rare, don’t be an idiot.

If you are unable to hear either verbal notices or bike bells not only do you put yourself at risk you put others at risk too.

If you want to listen to your TED Talks or self-empowerment podcasts, fine. Just listen to that shit in your car.

I for one don’t want to have to sign a waiver every time I enter a park. I don’t want to check in a ranger and sign a multi-page agreement form just because people have no idea how to behave outdoors.

We may come to a point where that happens. I hope not but when it comes to enjoying yourself outdoors don’t be stupid.