Asphalt and Running

**lizzyb** · July 15th, 2009, 06:09 PM

Now before we get started let me first say that this is a rant but in the end I am hoping to be enlightened

See, I live in a nice-ish residential area where the sidewalks are ashphalt not concrete so that little children and anybody relying on wheels to get around can use without being on the road (with the exception of bicycles....they have to be on the road or else a fine can be given for riding on sidewalks). the street I live on is a bit of a main drag, not the sort of road you let your kids play ball hockey on......speed limit is 50km/hr. Now it is my assumption that it is the same TYPE of ashphalt used on the sidewalks as it is on our street. With this assumption I am absolutely DUMBFOUNDED over the fact that people will choose to run in the street as opposed to the sidewalk since it is the same material, it would be the same 'feel' I would assume. (This is where enlightenment would be appreciated if I am indeed wrong). Today while coming home from Cosco, driving down my street, I find two men running side by side down my street. There are cars parked on the opposite side of the roadway and therefor narrowing the roadway already....these two a$$holes wouldn't even get in line when they saw a car approaching.......Now we get this often enough on my street....and it is not to say that our sidewalks are teaming with hoards of people either that one would need to take to the road that is made of the same compound as the sidewalks in the neighbourhood.....and it literally frosts my girlie bits to see because I am of the belief that they can easily run on the sidewalk in this neighbourhood if training for a certain marathon and you want to train on the same compound as your event......now IF my sidewalks were made of concrete we wouldn't be having this discussion at all.....I'd nod my head and give them the peace sign as I always do for any obvious enthusiast....as I am not toally ignorant either, but to me ashphalt sidewalks and ashphalt roadway are no different so to me I feel that these people are just being arrogant SOB's...

Anyone care to comment or enlighten me?

**lizzyb** · July 16th, 2009, 09:03 PM

Hmmmm......I'm guessing either there aren't many road runners here or nobody else is having this issue/confusion ???

**Option1** · July 16th, 2009, 10:21 PM

Hmmm, I'm a currently injured runner and I do see your point about them basically taking up roadway when they could have just as easily run on the same surface on the sidewalk. In essence, it was just bad manners on their part - no worse than those who insist on stopping their carts side-by-side in the supermarket aisle while they chat, or sitting on the machine you want to use in the gym while they flirt. Annoying as <insert appropriate rude word here>, but not necessarily a big deal. Having said that, I just treated your post as a rant, a vent, letting off steam.

Neil

**lizzyb** · July 16th, 2009, 10:33 PM

Yeah...thanks Neil, lol!! Don't even get me started on those other people, lol!! Oh I do so love a good rant!!

However in defence of good intellect here as well.....I was also wondering if anyone would be able to give me a good 'technical' reason why one would run on a roadway when the sidewalk is made of the same compound....and it's not a crowd issue, or courtesy issue.....I am no stranger to running outdoors either and am aware of the differeces between concrete, gravel, grass sand and trail running....but IS THERE a difference between the actual ashphalt on the road as what is used for these sidewalks?? Anyone have an answer for me......I know the city may have the answer but I'd be on hold all bloody day just to find out a 'trivial' thing like this, lol!!

**Option1** · July 16th, 2009, 10:42 PM

Nah, I'm pretty sure there's no difference between the two surfaces - and certainly absolutely not enough to justify running one rather than t'other.

Neil

**raijin1** · July 16th, 2009, 11:12 PM

Prolly no diff in the running surface, from sidewalk to street. They wanted to run side by side I guess, to chat or keep each other motivated...

Definitely a bit inconsiderate on their part, but I can admit I certainly zone out and go into my own little world when i have my run and music going.... That said, I run on the sidewalk, and if you are going to run in the street, you should be a little more aware of your environment, lest you get flattened by a dump truck...

**lizzyb** · July 23rd, 2009, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raijin1

Prolly no diff in the running surface, from sidewalk to street. They wanted to run side by side I guess, to chat or keep each other motivated...

Definitely a bit inconsiderate on their part, but I can admit I certainly zone out and go into my own little world when i have my run and music going.... That said, I run on the sidewalk, and if you are going to run in the street, you should be a little more aware of your environment, lest you get flattened by a dump truck...

yes and recently in the news a group of 5 cyclists were mowed down by a hit and run driver. Questions about whether the cyclists were in single file or not have arisen but the drive will definitley be getting his arse spanked severely. Just yesterday 2 more cyclists were hit in seperate locations.....again I question.
and yesterday once again I see 2 men riding side by side down my street and not getting into single file for approaching traffic both oncoming and coming up behind them........afterwards an old style SUV came screaming down the street above and beyond the speed limit......I wondered if the cyclists got into single file for that one

Just frosts my ass when i see stupid people doing stupid things and blaming others for their own part in their demise.....sad what happened to those cyclists but DAMN isn't time these recreational athletes start taking some responsibility for themselves and protect themselves???? If not, then take up free falling

**helpmespock** · August 27th, 2009, 05:33 AM

they're just arrogant SOB's Lizzy.......

**SAINT_X** · August 27th, 2009, 01:02 PM

Hey LizzyB,

I do alot of cycling ( well, before my little boy came along...but i'll be back out there soon ) and I could not agree with you more!

I NEVER ride on the road. I go out of my way to ride at a park that has lots of paved trails where I can go 30 miles or more and with only two turnarounds. Now I know not everyone has a park like that available, but I see cyclists riding on the road surface right next to the path I know to be superior to the road they are on in every way. It just doesn't make sense. Do they WANT to be killed or maimed???

Riding on the road when you have other options is just stupid and inconsiderate...

**Italianangel** · September 24th, 2009, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lizzyb

Now before we get started let me first say that this is a rant but in the end I am hoping to be enlightened

See, I live in a nice-ish residential area where the sidewalks are ashphalt not concrete so that little children and anybody relying on wheels to get around can use without being on the road (with the exception of bicycles....they have to be on the road or else a fine can be given for riding on sidewalks). the street I live on is a bit of a main drag, not the sort of road you let your kids play ball hockey on......speed limit is 50km/hr. Now it is my assumption that it is the same TYPE of ashphalt used on the sidewalks as it is on our street. With this assumption I am absolutely DUMBFOUNDED over the fact that people will choose to run in the street as opposed to the sidewalk since it is the same material, it would be the same 'feel' I would assume. (This is where enlightenment would be appreciated if I am indeed wrong). Today while coming home from Cosco, driving down my street, I find two men running side by side down my street. There are cars parked on the opposite side of the roadway and therefor narrowing the roadway already....these two a$ wouldn't even get in line when they saw a car approaching.......Now we get this often enough on my street....and it is not to say that our sidewalks are teaming with hoards of people either that one would need to take to the road that is made of the same compound as the sidewalks in the neighbourhood.....and it literally frosts my girlie bits to see because I am of the belief that they can easily run on the sidewalk in this neighbourhood if training for a certain marathon and you want to train on the same compound as your event......now IF my sidewalks were made of concrete we wouldn't be having this discussion at all.....I'd nod my head and give them the peace sign as I always do for any obvious enthusiast....as I am not toally ignorant either, but to me ashphalt sidewalks and ashphalt roadway are no different so to me I feel that these people are just being arrogant SOB's...

Anyone care to comment or enlighten me?

not sure, depends on weather when they run on road but maybe its the melt factor of runners getting all black ish etc and then those runners may be used in gym or home if they cannot afford more than one pair and the ashphalt maybe when hot can cause damage and maybe just bits stcking to the shoe.......

**lizzyb** · October 1st, 2009, 04:55 PM

Weather doesn't seem to be a factor, and the road and sidewalk are of the same ashphalt...so I doubt that the 'shoe' thing is the issue......I think it is simply as has been said, people just wanting run/ride/roll side by side to they can chat it up.

Funny thing is that running/cycling are not 'social' sports really......so I don't even know why people even bother to be sociable while riding or running.....that to me is saved for apres run/ride but that's just me.