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Watch out for this guy

10K views 54 replies 31 participants last post by  Medic Zero 
#1 ·
Hey folks, I don't really post on forums but thought I should give a warning about the hiker I came across today. I've recently moved up from Eugene to Issaquah for work and haven't experienced this sort of craziness on the trails before.

I was riding down the doubletrack from central park that meets up with coal creek (i think) that connects to grand ridge. There was a big older dude (in his 50s) with two small black corgi-type dogs. I stopped behind him and said "excuse me" because one of his unleashed dogs was in the other lane of the doubletrack. He turns around and just says "no, you're not passing".

I was kind of taken aback and just sat there for a sec while he blocked one lane and his dog blocked the other lane. After a minute or so of this weirdness his dog moves out of the way and I hop into that lane of doubletrack to go around him and get on the trail. The dude freaks out and straight up trucks me off my bike with a two handed shove and stands over me yelling about yielding to pedestrians. I hopped back up and shoved him, forgot what I yelled but I was equal parts pissed and surprised. He backed off for a sec so I hopped on my bike and took off. He was still screaming "come back here $$####***!!!" while I rode off.

Anyway, like I said, big older dude in a safari vest with two little black dogs. I thought people were supposed to be passive-aggressive up here, not just aggressive. :) Watch yourselves out there.
 
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#39 ·
So, the saga continues. I was out walking my dog and ran into our friendly neighborhood bike-shover. This time I got my camera out and started filming him which made him pretty upset. He reads our forums and started calling me "WestwardHo". So, hello sir if you're reading this. I gave him my real name and asked for his which was met with a "f**k you buddy". At that point he called the cops and said that my dog and I were threatening him and going to attack. I just kept filming, letting him get more worked up while I got some shots of his face for the police. At that point he was starting to get pretty upset and one of his off-leash dogs had run off so I decided to head down the trail and call the police myself.

That made him even more mad for some reason and I got some more video of him telling me to come back to fight I guess? He just kept saying I was a p**sy in different uncreative ways. I met with the Issaquah police down at the bottom of the trail and showed them the video that torpedoed his story. The cops were laughing at the ridiculousness of the guy and I was too honestly. They now have a report on file for this as well. I'm not going to post the video since I'm not a lawyer and not sure if I should but here's a pic that gives you some idea of who to look out for. I don't want to put a pic of his face up because I'm figuring he'll murder the next mountain biker he sees if I do that. At least now you have some idea of what he and his dogs look like. Hopefully the chat with the police will keep him under control for the time being.

Grass Grassland Lawn People in nature Park
 
#43 ·
So, the saga continues. I was out walking my dog and ran into our friendly neighborhood bike-shover. This time I got my camera out and started filming him which made him pretty upset. He reads our forums and started calling me "WestwardHo". So, hello sir if you're reading this. I gave him my real name and asked for his which was met with a "f**k you buddy". At that point he called the cops and said that my dog and I were threatening him and going to attack. I just kept filming, letting him get more worked up while I got some shots of his face for the police. At that point he was starting to get pretty upset and one of his off-leash dogs had run off so I decided to head down the trail and call the police myself.

That made him even more mad for some reason and I got some more video of him telling me to come back to fight I guess? He just kept saying I was a p**sy in different uncreative ways. I met with the Issaquah police down at the bottom of the trail and showed them the video that torpedoed his story. The cops were laughing at the ridiculousness of the guy and I was too honestly. They now have a report on file for this as well. I'm not going to post the video since I'm not a lawyer and not sure if I should but here's a pic that gives you some idea of who to look out for. I don't want to put a pic of his face up because I'm figuring he'll murder the next mountain biker he sees if I do that. At least now you have some idea of what he and his dogs look like. Hopefully the chat with the police will keep him under control for the time being.

View attachment 902298
Good job.
 
#36 ·
OP here folks. I don't want to get in to a big discussion about this but I have to defend pushing the guy off after he assaulted me and was standing over me yelling. I'd like to hear the other side of the story too because we weren't even on singletrack yet and there was plenty of room. I stopped behind him, politely asked to pass and when I did decide to pass I was going about 3 mph and he had plenty of room. I don't wear bright colors, use Strava and I don't rip around Grand Ridge like it's my personal enduro course.

That being said, I've been surprised by the amount of dickish riding I see on Grand Ridge. I'm from a place where you yield and you might even (god forbid) stop to chat for a bit with the other rider. Grand Ridge was a culture shock coming from Eugene/Oakridge but it's still a nice place to cruise around after work. I understand how some hikers get pissed at the mtn bikers on GR but it ain't no excuse to assault people. That dude was a dangerous dick but regardless of that we should all strive to be a little more polite and cautious on busy trails. Problem is, the people who need to hear that probably ain't reading this forum. Happy trails y'all.
 
#5 ·
You're probably right. I should have done it once I rode off although my description of him would be "big, white, 55 year old dude with dogs" so I guess the Issy PD would just have to arrest everyone on the trail :) I'm not a big fan of contacting the authorities but I'll file a police report tomorrow so there will be a record of his behavior in case he does it again. I don't want someone to get hurt because I didn't say anything.
 
#4 ·
That's unusual for sure. Good work on not totally retaliating (although IMO, you had the right to), it'll just hurt the cycling image up there. I guess you should start riding with a GoPro. J/K, kinda.
 
#16 ·
You never know who is lurking in the woods out there. Def agree with filing a police report. This guy will probably stay away from Grand Ridge for a while, but he'll turn up somewhere else sooner or later. Since we got the new pooch, Julie and I hike and ride Coal Creek and under the power lines regularly... because we rarely see anybody. Will keep our eyes peeled.

Purple Trail Forest Jungle Subshrub
 
#22 ·
I had a similar experience -- well, without the shoving and semi-violence -- in Arizona last year. I came up from behind on three hikers, slowed down to walking pace, gave a very friendly "hello, biker back, would like to pass whenever you find a good spot" and this older woman was VEHEMENT that "hikers have the right of way" and she absolutely refused to yield the trail.

I guess some hikers have warped perspectives of what "yielding" means. Do they seriously expect us to walk our bikes at 2 mph for several hours until they choose a different fork in the trail? What do they do if a faster hiker comes up from behind?

In my case, staying friendly (initially), I specifically asked the woman what she expected me to do. All she would say was "I have the right of way, you can't pass me" and kept walking, not even facing me to speak to me! After saying politely, again, that I didn't want to cause any conflict, just pass when appropriate and be on my way, she ignored me. Eventually I carried my bike around her, off trail, then turned to face her and remind her that the trail she was walking was maintained largely by bikers, had very little traffic, and it didn't seem like a lot to ask of her to step aside for 5 seconds and exchange greetings. Her two friends had happily yielded the trail on my first request, and were giving this woman semi-puzzled looks.

Frustrating for sure. I think some folks just hate a group for god knows what reason, in this case mountain bikers, and there is no rational explanation/solution.
 
#23 ·
Interesting encounter.

I am very fastidious about getting off my bike and walking past hikers, even when they have already gotten off the trail - just showing respect I guess. So in my case, I would have come up behind them and gotten off my bike and been walking, at which point if they hadn't noticed me I would do the excuse me. So at that point, I am a hiker. Curious what the reaction would have been.

Anyway, maybe a technique to use next time which you eventually did, you just had to go off trail at that point since her mind was made up. But would have been interesting if she turned around the first time and you were already walking (perhaps even carrying rather that pushing).

But you're right its not rational they just want to make a stand in their little world. LIke how I might (irrationally) be a bit slow to yield the first time an e-bike wants to pass me on non-moto singletrack.
 
#25 ·
I came up behind a female trail runner on Grand Ridge last summer. I announced myself. She continued to run down the middle of the trail without acknowledging me in any way. I followed along for maybe 100 yards, then told her I would like to pass at her convenience. She continued ignoring me. I asked her to just move over a little and I'd handle the rest. She ignored me. Finally, I told her that at the next opportunity, I was going to pass her on the left. I would announce I was passing, then I would pass, and I hoped we didn't collide, but if we did, I was not going to apologize for it. Shortly thereafter, I passed. I looked back, and it was as if I was invisible. No reaction whatsoever. Besides that one negative encounter, I've had nothing but good greetings and words with every other hiker, runner or horseman I've met along the trail. Totally strange.
 
#30 ·
I don't love this thread. Yeah he's a bad guy but I want his side of the story. I'm talking about the dog walker if anyone is wondering.

At least it points out there is strong "interest" in getting along on this closest great trail to 2 million souls.

I suggest Evergreen have a plan for when the official complaint salvos begin to trickle into county parks to respond with an outreach tent at grand ridge drive (so it does not impact the cars) perhaps with county staff and even WTA to educate all users to get along especially us vs them. I hope it doesn't become a lodge.

Look inside yourselves. Strava hero or courteous interaction? Groups especially teams in colors really set a tone to walkers. Put yourself in their position. How many bikes just went by as I lost track?

I'm the sarcastic guy when you tell me "1 back" I reply "I know, 200 back". There is always someone around every corner. Yes I ring a bell on all of them. But my ancient bell will remain silent hereafter regarding GR conflict. Its your turn to change a disgruntled walker's opinion...

You will surely not change anyone's opinion here :)

Or drive another 20 minutes to tiger or beyond and Go Rural ye fast and furious young men and women. There is nobody there to care, but please never forget your manners.
 
#33 ·
I don't love this thread. Yeah he's a bad guy but I want his side of the story. I'm talking about the dog walker if anyone is wondering.

At least it points out there is strong "interest" in getting along on this closest great trail to 2 million souls.

I suggest Evergreen have a plan for when the official complaint salvos begin to trickle into county parks to respond with an outreach tent at grand ridge drive (so it does not impact the cars) perhaps with county staff and even WTA to educate all users to get along especially us vs them. I hope it doesn't become a lodge.

Look inside yourselves. Strava hero or courteous interaction? Groups especially teams in colors really set a tone to walkers. Put yourself in their position. How many bikes just went by as I lost track?

I'm the sarcastic guy when you tell me "1 back" I reply "I know, 200 back". There is always someone around every corner. Yes I ring a bell on all of them. But my ancient bell will remain silent hereafter regarding GR conflict. Its your turn to change a disgruntled walker's opinion...

You will surely not change anyone's opinion here :)

Or drive another 20 minutes to tiger or beyond and Go Rural ye fast and furious young men and women. There is nobody there to care, but please never forget your manners.
The onus always will be on us. Not casting aspersions on the OP's story I'm just sayin' - I agree fully with what the Legend is trying to communicate. It's true for every trail, but GR and the like are a bubble inside of an egg - fragile.

I had a guy screaming at me and trying to poke me with his walking poles* (I had to push them out of the way) and then as I walked by he belly bumped me and of course I had all sorts of post-incident thoughts, but of every single scenario I considered, none of them had a positive outcome except "remove myself from this situation with as much dispatch as possible". Which it sounds like the OP did, except for the push.

*this was in another time and place several years ago
 
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