Trail Etiquette ..!!!!

[PeeJay1]

Morning/Afternoon..
Just a quick moan/ rant… being Old School..
coming up on a slower rider, passing on their Left, when safe to do so..Saying…” On your Left “
Being pleasant, and saying “ Thankyou….
Is that too much to ask…
People’s thoughts ( not here for an argument )
Cheers….

 

[Doomanic]

Is that too much to ask…

Apparently, yes.

However, I believe the correct method is approach at high speed, buzz the tyre of the slower rider, huff and puff a bit then force your way past at the most inconvenient point in the trail and shout "Stravaaaaaa!" as you ride off...

 

[Rockhopper70]

Yes, what you need to do is mumble, apparently, the “on your” bit so the person in front, usually a runner, then goes to their left, right in to the front of you, just as you are passing. Then they get their knickers in a twist.

The left right thing is an absolute no win situation……

 

[Brawwp]

Some people get so agro when you come up on them. Most times I’ll just silently follow and pop around behind them so they hear me and let them pull off when they can. I’ve done the on your left stuff and get mean mugged a lot. I’ve had quite a few acknowledge me behind them and they just keep me behind for a while lol. I’m like alright I guess group ride it is… idk, I don’t worry too much about it. It’s just riding bikes.

I don’t expect much from the general public anymore. You’ll be much happier once you accept that people suck

 

[Jackware]

It's an awkward moment however polite you are, especially when overtaking a roadie on a steep tarmac section, and you're on a fatbike

 

[irie]

"On your Left" does not state explicitly where you want to go.

Instead say "Passing on your left (or right) " then back off and see which way they dodge.

PS in the UK overtakes are normally made on the right.

A thank-you is if you get lucky.

 

[Astro66]

Problem is. Sometimes people dart one way or the other without looking, when you ding or call out. Not many. But the nervous types.

I try to get close and just say good morning. So they clearly know which side you are on.

The dangerous ones are the ear plug ones. They hear nothing.

 

[FrogSkunk]

Some people get so agro when you come up on them. Most times I’ll just silently follow and pop around behind them so they hear me and let them pull off when they can. I’ve done the on your left stuff and get mean mugged a lot. I’ve had quite a few acknowledge me behind them and they just keep me behind for a while lol. I’m like alright I guess group ride it is… idk, I don’t worry too much about it. It’s just riding bikes.

I don’t expect much from the general public anymore. You’ll be much happier once you accept that people suck

This is so accurate I haven’t fully given up on humanity, but I’m close…

Half the time I’ll just pull over and wait, rather than deal with a frustrating interaction.

And don’t even get me started on the people you say “good morning” to and get nothing back… like really bro?? I hope a tree falls directly on your big toe.

 

[irie]

This is so accurate I haven’t fully given up on humanity, but I’m close…

Half the time I’ll just pull over and wait, rather than deal with a frustrating interaction.

And don’t even get me started on the people you say “good morning” to and get nothing back… like really bro?? I hope a tree falls directly on your big toe.

Well how about this?

Couple of weeks ago was on a shared cycle and pedestrian path. Woman had ear plugs in and her three dogs running around her.

- ring bell (standard thing to do around here), no response.

- shout "Hello", no response.

- get off my bike and walk by.

- she looks up and says "It's worse if I call them".

- to which I replied "Well, they obviously don't speak English!".

- the laser look could have brought down an F-35, pure quality.

 

[Gila Man]

When I start closing on someone, I start singing "I've got a lovely bunch of coconuts" in me worst americanized English accent (Dick Van Dyke's Mary Poppins-style). When they move aside, I thank them and say "have a good ride or hike, etc." I move extra-slow when riding past equestrians so as not to spook the horses.

The only time I've had any thing awkward happen is when a guy on a regular mountain bike passed me and felt the need to look back and say "no pedal assist here". I just waved and replied "Me nipples are on fire" and then smiled. I believe I helped him pick up his pace to improve his Strava time so I'm fairly sure I'm helping motivate people.

 

[Doomanic]

"no pedal assist here".

Open carry would stop a lot of those comments...

 

[mooby77]

Morning/Afternoon..
Just a quick moan/ rant… being Old School..
coming up on a slower rider, passing on their Left, when safe to do so..Saying…” On your Left “
Being pleasant, and saying “ Thankyou….
Is that too much to ask…
People’s thoughts ( not here for an argument )
Cheers….

None , in war the first casualty of speed is etiquette , roost em

 

[Gila Man]

Open carry would stop a lot of those comments...

I figured he was struggling with his own ego so it didn't really faze me and I mentioned, he's the only "unfriendly" sort I've run across on the trails in Arizona, so far.

I have thought about the open carry while riding due to the potential of running across a cougar. There was a sighting last week that was less than a mile from my house which is way inside the radius of the places that I ride. Since they're ambush predators, I figured it'd be on me before I could access a firearm and, there's a much higher chance of me just having a simple crash and busting a hip falling on the pistol so, I don't carry and just take my chances. I try to ride in areas with other people however, since I'm retired, I do most of my riding on weekdays when others are at work so I'm often one of the few on the trails.

 

[tyrolrider]

Some people get so agro when you come up on them. Most times I’ll just silently follow and pop around behind them so they hear me and let them pull off when they can. I’ve done the on your left stuff and get mean mugged a lot. I’ve had quite a few acknowledge me behind them and they just keep me behind for a while lol. I’m like alright I guess group ride it is… idk, I don’t worry too much about it. It’s just riding bikes.

I don’t expect much from the general public anymore. You’ll be much happier once you accept that people suck

Morning/Afternoon..
Just a quick moan/ rant… being Old School..
coming up on a slower rider, passing on their Left, when safe to do so..Saying…” On your Left “
Being pleasant, and saying “ Thankyou….
Is that too much to ask…
People’s thoughts ( not here for an argument )
Cheers….

Pro tip for shared trails: use a trail bell

We’ve had the same issues in the Alps for decades, blind corners, startled hikers, awkward encounters.

The idea comes from alpine winters: in mountain villages, kids really used sleds to get to school when roads were snow-covered. Those sleds had small bells so people walking uphill could hear them coming. Even today on sledding tracks, riders use bells to alert people walking uphill.

Same concept → the Swiss Trail Bell.

swisstrailbell

Geniesse die Trails und mach Dich sympathisch bemerkbar ...Die Original swisstrailbell werden seit 2013 in aufwendiger Handarbeit in Deutschland und der S..

www.swisstrailbell.ch

It creates a soft, natural sound (not a harsh ring), similar to the bells of grazing mountain goats – a familiar, friendly sound in the Alps.

Note: Mounted on a backpacks shoulder strap it’s way more discreet than on the handlebar. I push it upwards for use and downwards when not in use, and it can be silenced instantly with a small magnetic strap.

It’s even used beyond biking: in parts of Trentino / Lago di Garda, people wear similar bells in bear areas to signal their presence early.

Biggest advantage in our Experience: people hear you well in advance, so they have time to react calmly instead of getting surprised.
On the trail it changes everything and it is an icebreaker:

• no shouting
• no sudden braking
• no scaring people

Hikers hear you early, turn around relaxed – and it really most of the time turns into friendly interaction.
I usually say:
“Just a small mountain goat coming through.” And you get instant smiles.
Surprisingly effective… they ship those bells worldwide. there‘s a UK/US Store too.

 

[sam.spoons]

I ride in the UK, mostly gentle mixed use trails these days. Not many other bikes but there can be loads of walkers from pole wielding wannabe Everest conquerers to mother, daughter and grandchild in a buggy and one of my regular rides starts offroad passing through a stable yard so quite a few horses. I come up slowly, ting my tiny bell (no sniggering at the back Smythe) and womble gently past when they realise I'm there saying "thank you" in my smiliest voice. On a dedicated MTB trail I might do it differently but I'll probably be the slow rider there so it's not usually my problem to solve.

 

[EMTBSEAN]

I gave up on etiquette long ago after loosing count the arguments I’ve had with walkers, even after approaching slowly and ringing my loud bell and getting no response from them, the mouthfuls of profanity I’ve lost count, now I just ring my bell and ride past, tough shit if they’ve got earbuds in, I’ve got earbuds in and I’m aware of my surroundings in front and behind

 

[edruid]

That's the procedure I use. Helps if one slows down and demonstrates awareness of the other parties' situation. you can't just say it at them as they fall into the canal.

 

[Mullet69er]

A cheap set of Clarks sintered pads generally do the trick especially if it’s a bit damp. Everybody gets out of your way quickly when they hear them behind. I don’t think a mountain lion would go near them either.

 

[Arminius]

"On your Left" does not state explicitly where you want to go.

Instead say "Passing on your left (or right) " then back off and see which way they dodge.

PS in the UK overtakes are normally made on the right.

A thank-you is if you get lucky.

That is why it is time for UK & Co to correct this historical faulty decision and start riding on the right side! Not to mention using metrics…..

 

[jetskier973]

Apparently, yes.

However, I believe the correct method is approach at high speed, buzz the tyre of the slower rider, huff and puff a bit then force your way past at the most inconvenient point in the trail and shout "Stravaaaaaa!" as you ride off...

I also like to inform in my best Aussie accent, " Oy mate! Get out the way! Get out the way!! Aw man... your crampin' mah style brah! MOVE ALREADY!!! GET OFF THE TRAIL!!! "
Then I buzz their rear tire until they fall. And once they do I make sure to run over their back wheel and J-hop their silly helmeted head and inform them, " SERVES YA RIGHT! "
Learned all this courtesy of GMBN's Neil Donoghue (hero). Took a little liberty with the tire buzzing bit, but some of these Sunday drivers need the encouragement. Works every time.

 

[bonescro]

I just ring my bell (either a Timber Bell, or the old school thumb bell - both are very polite). I start at about a hundred feet. This gives them plenty of notice, and I just react to them. If they're listening to their music too loudly, I'll usually come slowly up to them and call out, usually 'Good Morning'. That scares the crap out of them (not my fault), and they move over.

 

[jetskier973]

None , in war the first casualty of speed is etiquette , roost em

Truer words have never been spoken.
This is going in my pre-ride checklist

 

[Lectric Slide]

I ride with a muted (tape) sheep bell hung on handlebars and auto air freshener hanging from the seat. Usually good for some type of early reaction. Got idea from the grazing sheep in the area that gov allows leasing of land to move sheep from pasture to pasture. Only problem I found is it also attracts coyotes!

 

[zaskarmark]

Open carry would stop a lot of those comments...

Let's understand your point: out on the trails having fun, fresh air, exercise & joy... bring a gun, carry it so that everyone is intimidated by you, not care about anyone but yourself on the trails, ignorantly let the world know you're armed with a deadly weapon on a neutral trail filled with bikers, hikers, horseback riders & children.
Con #1: "Hey buddy, what are you in prison for?"
You: "Shooting a little girl that looked at me in a mean manner on the trail."

...'murica

 

[Arminius]

I ride with a muted (tape) sheep bell hung on handlebars and auto air freshener hanging from the seat. Usually good for some type of early reaction. Got idea from the grazing sheep in the area that gov allows leasing of land to move sheep from pasture to pasture. Only problem I found is it also attracts coyotes!

You have sheep out there with auto air freshener hanging on their tails? What is that for? Regarding coyotes a different odor, like mountain lion might help!

 

[Just gan]

Apparently, yes.

However, I believe the correct method is approach at high speed, buzz the tyre of the slower rider, huff and puff a bit then force your way past at the most inconvenient point in the trail and shout "Stravaaaaaa!" as you ride off...

No it's Stavaaaa you Bass like in the old days you added you Bass to everything aggressive. Never understood what it meant but shouted it all the same.

 

[bonescro]

Let's understand your point: out on the trails having fun, fresh air, exercise & joy... bring a gun, carry it so that everyone is intimidated by you, not care about anyone but yourself on the trails, ignorantly let the world know you're armed with a deadly weapon on a neutral trail filled with bikers, hikers, horseback riders & children.
Con #1: "Hey buddy, what are you in prison for?"
You: "Shooting a little girl that looked at me in a mean manner on the trail."

...'mu

Open carry would stop a lot of those comments...

I'm a gun advocate, and this makes me cringe.

 

[BobOutWest]

As a hiker and slower rider I get passed by Mtn bikes all the time. The best notification is to ding a bell at least 50 feet behind me. Gives me time to react and because I know from the sound it's kind of far away so I don't panic. If you're right behind me and ring the bell or say "On your left" I'll probably get startled and wobble one way and then the other trying to get out of the way, but failing.

 

[Just gan]

As a hiker and slower rider I get passed by Mtn bikes all the time. The best notification is to ding a bell at least 50 feet behind me. Gives me time to react and because I know from the sound it's kind of far away so I don't panic. If you're right behind me and ring the bell or say "On your left" I'll probably get startled and wobble one way and then the other trying to get out of the way, but failing.

Some bell you would need for me to hear it at 50 feet away. Big Ben bell maybe ?.

 

[Arminius]

Some bell you would need for me to hear it at 50 feet away. Big Ben bell maybe ?.

Like this!? You may press FWD a little bit.