jp@tellab1.UUCP (John Perretto) (05/24/84)
I have to agree with Mr. Fishell in his dislike for horses on the Illinois Prairie Path (although my dislike is somewhat milder). One thing that wasn't mentioned however, is this: in addition to negotiating piles of manure (the manure slalom, as I call it), and enduring the bone-crunching, horse-trodden path surface (shooting the stone rapids, as it's affectionately called), there is a definite traffic problem when horses are encountered on this narrow path. Countless times I have had to come to a screeching halt behind a group of horses that were plodding along--their riders seemingly oblivious to their surroundings. While some of these people exhibit a certain amount of courtesy and move their animals aside, others seem to ignore my presence, making it necessary for me to yell "excuse me," or "beep-beep," or "get that horses a-- out of my face!" It seems that fellow cyclists either have a sixth sense, and know when to get out of the way, or they're going fast enough that there's no need to pass them. Additionally, while most cyclists have control over their bikes, it seems that our equestrian friends do not always have control over their horses. In fact, one time while riding a stretch of the path, I encountered a horse and rider--when I approached ( at a rather brisk pace) the horse spooked and turned broadside, blocking the entire path. I was forced off into a clump of bushes, narrowly escaping hitting a tree head-on. The horse and rider promptly galloped away--no apologies. But us IPP cyclists must look on the brighter side. Think of the bike-handling ability we achieve in negotiating the manure slalom (not to mention the crotch-callouses we get from shooting the rapids--who needs chamois-lined shorts?).
ix21@sdccs6.UUCP (David Whiteman) (05/27/84)
I would like to add my 2 cents to the discussion about flaming horses. Recently a bike path was constructed through Griffith Park in Los Angeles. When I first rode upon it, three months after it opened, it was totally covered with foul smelling calling cards that equestrians or their horses leave behind. In addition the pavement has several pot holes caused by those horses. Griffith Park has miles of interconnecting bridle paths for horses, but only one bike path which is now almost totally unusable. I've never seen a bicycle rider on a bridle path; why can't equestrians show the same courtesy and not ride on bike paths.