[ducati1974]

We're heading down from Mass. to TV tomorrow for the month of January and since I'm bringing a bicycle & attempting to learn rollerblading- which is the politically correct venue- the cart path or the road?

[Ohiogirl]

can do the road or the path on a bike, but be really careful on both, especially in the roundabouts on the road. and on the paths, be really careful on any curves or thru any tunnels. My first January here, but I hear it gets crowded.

For rollerblades, do the path, but only in uncrowded areas this time of year (or at least that's what I'd do, for safety's sake). Remember that there are a lot of first-time golf cart drivers around and also drivers on the roadways who don't know where they're going, don't understand the roundabouts, may be clueless, etc.

I would join the bike groups if you're just biking for fun/exercise. They leave almost every morning from a designated rec center - I think the one south of 466 leaves from Bridgeport Rec Center (on Buena Vista across from the Palmer Golf course). Look in the Recreation News.

If on your own and just for exercise, I'd definitely roller blade on the multi-modal path on the south side of 466A or around Buena Vista and 466A - not nearly as crowded. There are also bike paths off the reservation, just google Florida bike trails.

[pooh]

Good advice from Ohiogirl. I'd opt for the multimodal path myself, but there is a lot of "traffic" there, too, so be careful. Saw a man rollerblading this morning. He was in the cart path on Morse. He had on his helmet, knee and elbow pads, but I didn't notice if he had a mirror on his helmet to check what's coming up behind him.

January is generally crowded, but do know, it's crowded now. Lots of seasonal residents arrived earlier this year....can't blame them, even when it's cold here, it's warmer than where they left and there's no SNOW!

Have a safe trip down!

[ajbrown]

You may be better than I, but two or maybe even three years ago I tried to roller blade and never felt comfortable being ANY place with other traffic. This is probably more a statement of my ability than anything else. I never could get comfortable on those things and I was a pretty decent hockey player, go figure. When I was trying to learn I went to neighborhoods where roads were in, but no one lived there yet. At the time those 'hoods were off of Odell between Mallory and Havana, now you may have to go to ST Charles to find hoods without folks living there.

Just when I thought I was getting better, I was cruising around one of the Hadley hoods and coming down a hill lost control, made a split second decision to "crash" into grass and dirt rather than tar. I was fine, but as I was gettingup , somewhat embarrassed I see four workers on their lunch break laughing their *sses off. I tipped my hat, waved and skated off. That was when I decided no other traffic for me please. Know anyone that need size 11 roller blades ?

Unless you can skate be real careful on the mutli modal paths, things are moving pretty fast.

[k2at]

I believe riding on the road with a bicycle is far safer than riding a bike on the cart path. With all the electric carts around, one cannot hear them coming up behing you and the paths are really not wide enough and therefore not as forgiving as the road.

[graciegirl]

I gotta hand it to ya, attempting rollerblading after 55.

I can not, could not, should not, will not.

I can't chew gum and walk.

[redwitch]

Another vote for bikes on the street; rollerblades on the paths (facing traffic like a pedestrian). I've always opted for the street with my bike, unless there was a designated bike path that I didn't have to share with pedestrians. The idea of having to share with a golf cart driver that will be impatient and determined to pass me regardless of what's coming or what's safe is just too frightening to me. As to rollerblading, no comment (tried it once and I only wish the biggest embarassment/pain was 4 workers laughing at me).

[billethkid]

do so defensively. This is a recommendation from a daily 2-3 mile per day walker (me!). While the majority of golf cart drivers are very attentive and take the proper care the others are very dangerous. They drive to fast and I am convinced some can not see....why else would they run up on a walker facing traffic and almost hit them?

So enjoy the multi modal paths....travel against the flow of the golf carts....and keep your eyes on the oncoming traffic.......and don't forget to wave.

Just as an aside I would estimate more than half of everybody on the path either waves or says good morning, etc. I do!!

btk

[Pturner]

I agree that bicycling on the streets is safer, and indeed probably safer than many other cities in which you might cycle.

For rollerblading-- especially since you say you are beginners-- I think the only reasonably safe place would be quiet neighborhood streets, facing traffic or as Ohio Girl suggested, on the cart paths south of 466a.

Cart paths in TV are legal for rollerblading, and no doubt safer than playing Russian roullet, although I wonder how much more so. The cart paths are windy, and carts travel 20 mph (or more) are often seen "cutting" the curves. While carts are big enough to be seen approaching a curve from the opposite direction, a rollerblader might not be visible approaching many of the curves. Add to this the fact that you are an inexperienced blader and a high percentage of cart drivers here in January are snowbirders of varying experience navigating the TV cart paths and higher speed carts.

Please be careful, be safe and have a great time in TV.

[EXYZEE40]

A thought -- if you will be just learning to rollerblade, you might want to consider 'practicing' in one of the parking areas for the stores, rec centers or schools when they are closed. Then, venture out into the 'real world'!

Good luck, enjoy yourself and be alert no matter what you are doing!

[Larryandlinda]

Originally Posted by EXYZEE40

A thought -- if you will be just learning to rollerblade, you might want to consider 'practicing' in one of the parking areas for the stores, rec centers or schools when they are closed. Then, venture out into the 'real world'!

Good luck, enjoy yourself and be alert no matter what you are doing!

Thanks for posting - the parking lot idea is the most reasonable and sensible solution. Learning to skate on the roadways or paths, while not quite the challenge, could be sorta like learning to jet ski in a crowded harbor. And neither the rollerblades nor the jet ski have brakes to speak of.

We used to sell 'blades and teach skating. We now ride bikes and trikes when in TV, as well as in the country surrounding on all the roads and all the paths - we decide based upon speed and distance.
The last thing we'd suggest is learning to skate on the paths. sparse Lots and low-traffic neighborhood streets are the best.

Experienced cyclists and rollerbladers have never been an issue on the paths, even the less wide ones back up in the previous region. Skaters cut a swath 2-3 times that of a bicycle. so they need more room - we suggest dressing brightly and being aware of where you are and who's coming and going.


Remember the wrist guards!!

Tailwinds!

L and L

[Taj44]

The paths are actually called "multi-modal paths (or trails)" not cart paths. In other words, they are designed for carts, cyclists, walkers, joggers, etc... I am an avid cyclist, and I prefer to ride on the paths because I see too many unsafe driver maneuvers on the roadways. If I'm going to be hit by an errant driver, I'd rather it be with a golf cart than a 2000 pound car, lol! I see lone cyclists on Buena Vista for example,and think they're really taking their life in their hands. With a group, its a different story. I feel safer in a group on the heavily traveled roadways.

[Larryandlinda]

Originally Posted by Taj44

The paths are actually called "multi-modal paths (or trails)" not cart paths. In other words, they are designed for carts, cyclists, walkers, joggers, etc... I am an avid cyclist, and I prefer to ride on the paths because I see too many unsafe driver maneuvers on the roadways. If I'm going to be hit by an errant driver, I'd rather it be with a golf cart than a 2000 pound car, lol! I see lone cyclists on Buena Vista for example,and think they're really taking their life in their hands. With a group, its a different story. I feel safer in a group on the heavily traveled roadways.

2000 would be a very light car!
and many of the luxury liners on wheels you see in the Sunshine state an be twice that.
Toss in visitors, new-to-roundabout drivers, phones, texting....
We tell ya....smetimes we get no respect..., it's tough out there on that 20 lb. weenie-wheeled bike.
Sadly, there there are many here among us
that are sticklers for biking on roads, some exercising their right/privilege to the road, but where it's safer and just as fast we much prefer TV's MM's.

Out on rural country. we have no trouble p;edaling along the country and state roads, the lanes on 301, and on 466 where there's no parallel MM, though that would be a welcome sight - the 'bike lane' mysteriously ends in mid-block

some of these images could give MC Escher a run for his designwork!
a search for roads and b ridges to nowhere comes up with some interesting motor vehicle blunders too
http://www.google.com/images?client=...w=1479&bih=914

Happy New Year

L and L

[eremite06]

Originally Posted by Taj44

The paths are actually called "multi-modal paths (or trails)" not cart paths. In other words, they are designed for carts, cyclists, walkers, joggers, etc... I am an avid cyclist, and I prefer to ride on the paths because I see too many unsafe driver maneuvers on the roadways. If I'm going to be hit by an errant driver, I'd rather it be with a golf cart than a 2000 pound car, lol! I see lone cyclists on Buena Vista for example,and think they're really taking their life in their hands. With a group, its a different story. I feel safer in a group on the heavily traveled roadways.

My 23 yr. old son was jogging on the multi modal path the other day and was yelled at by a lady in her golfcart to get off the path. The Villages needs to get the word out again about "Multi-Modal" use of the paths, especially for you snowbirds and newbees.

[skyguy79]

Originally Posted by eremite06

My 23 yr. old son was jogging on the multi modal path the other day and was yelled at by a lady in her golfcart to get off the path. The Villages needs to get the word out again about "Multi-Modal" use of the paths, especially for you snowbirds and newbees.

Somebody probably told the lady in the golf cart that TV deeded the MM path into her name... and she believed it!