"bike" trail in Pamplona

[Whoey]

I said I'd put up some pics of the bike trail here... and I was out today (even though it was bleeding 30C while I was out!) and snapped some pics with my phone of the [sarcasm]great work they did[/sarcasm] on the new trails. Will add some more soon as I suspect it's going to be a bit better riding weather shortly.


gotta love how they smoothly bypass these great old palm trees... with 90degree turns!


yep, bikes can do 90degree turns!


more 90 degree turns, although they kindly softened the first one so the other three weren't so difficult to as a result continue in a straight line!

incase these links break (I'm sure they will...) the album is here: http://picasaweb.google.com/sexto9/PamplonaBikeTrail#

[Benner]

That's cack! 

[Whoey]

There's also a rumour they are thinking about implementing fines if you are riding on the sidewalks... I say that's fine, but they also have to also fine pedestrians that are on the bike trails (which is more often than you'd think) I also think it'd be a great idea if the trails didn't stop dead in some zones...

Helmets are required by Spanish law, but about 75% of riders I've encountered aren't wearing any. (yes, I have one, and wear it)

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Crappy as that is, it's still one hell of an improvement over the cycle paths over here

[Whoey]

That's the brand new stuff tho... wait till I get pics of some of the old paint a line on the regular (completely destroyed) sidewalk

[jzmtl]

Whoever designed that should be required to ride the entire length without going outside the lane or stop, if unsuccessful he'll be beated badly on site.

[Whoey]

all three of those pics are taken within about 25 meters of each other... some of the other trails are great too... the trees nearly decapitate you as you go by...

[J-sews]

What, you can't make a 90 degree turn at speed on a bike?


Wuss.

[Freudian Frog]

Looks wonderful.

[Whoey]

more stuff from todays ride: (gallery link in case they break... http://picasaweb.google.com/sexto9/PamplonaBikeTrail#)


uneven paving, plus low hanging branches! what a treat...


more uneven paving, plus a nice big pole in the middle of the lane!


more crazy turns... with traffic! and dropoffs! fun!


This is the end... but we're not going to tell you about it...

[Whoey]

http://erroresyhorrores.blogspot.com/

great blog about the subject... sorry it's in spanish... but the photos are still good reference!

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

http://erroresyhorrores.blogspot.com/

great blog about the subject... sorry it's in spanish... but the photos are still good reference!

Some of those pics really do show how stupid local government can be

[Whoey]

some of the quotes are hilarious...

http://erroresyhorrores.blogspot.com/2009/04/carril-bici-con-papelera.html

translation:
Azpilagaña park roundabout. Quite a addition, the bike lane includes a very practical rubbish bin to throw any sort of waste without even getting off your bicycle. Or to perhaps lose your teeth on it.

[edap617]

Nice pics Whoey. Thanks.

[J-sews]

Pamplona......

...isn't that where they let the big angry cows go running through streets crowded with people?


(maybe whoever was in charge of that brilliant plan was also on the Bike Trail design team?)

[Whoey]

Pamplona is indeed famous for the running of the Bulls... it is a very old tradition and it originated as a way to get the bulls from outside the city through the city into the bullring for the days fights. (I'm against the fights)

The problem we have here now is that Hemingway made it very famous and the city is overrun with tourists. That makes it very hard to control, and even more dangerous. The "San Fermin" festival is 8 days of 24h partying/drinking, with concerts, fireworks and all sorts of other stuff going on. The police try to keep people who have been drinking out as well as youngsters and people who are improperly dressed. While they do try to regulate it, it's open to all, and you are responsible for your own actions. If this was the states everyone would be signing waivers to prevent lawsuits against the city, the bull farmers, etc.

This year one regular runner died. It was a split second of incredibly bad luck. In another city a 16 year old also died this year. I think they may finally have seen that more control needs to be imposed for the safety of all who participate. In most cities 16 is the minimum age to run, but sometimes younger people get in and run.

[J-sews]

Idiots. Every one of them. Complete idiots.


(sorry to derail your thread Micah)