Most people in AZ are pretty chill on the trail. Most of the times I slow pedal, ring a little bell and say "Good Morning/afternoon and have a great hike". Then they typically say "You have a good hike too!" :?)
Too many problems with open carry and lots of negative reactions. A small bear spray can is innocuous, is much better defense against animals and in case of and would be a deterrent against physical assault.
The vast majority of eBikers are not in the target age demographic for cougars...
Assuming most adults drive a vehicle I always use the “passing” on your left they should be familiar with. A few years ago while visiting friends in UK my wife and I rented a car to go from London to Bath… holy shit was that an experience (probably also for the poor Brits) trying to rewire my brain after 50+ years driving in the states, I didn't do any trail riding while there, likely would have wreaked havoc!
I find so many trail users “enjoying nature” with ear buds in nowadays I imagine I should get an air horn like the ships use in the fog here on SF Bay.
Still have mine from Tunnel Trail, Santa Barbara area, got it nearly 20 yrs ago.
Ttue, Hope Brakes in General…
whoa. didn’t think of that.
“On your left” the universal command to do NOTHING……
@Moderator Just in case. Maybe Drilstructor would be a good title for Pizzman!?Nice loud, polite as possible (once)
“On your left”
About 50ft out (on a wide open trail, 100 or more on single track)
If No response
A very loud version of that …..
works EVERY time. Even with headphones my voice is very clear and way louder than most sounds. A gift from god maybe, it’s really really loud.
Noise cancelling headphones don’t filter human voices as well as background noises. They hear us.
I don’t use a bell. I have to have a clean cockpit. Nor does a bell in my ears seem fun. I have seen a group of kids stopped on a trail, looking for where the bell is coming from. Said person had to stop because the group was on trail looking for the sound of the bell.
A handful of times I’ve received no response. They get passed (safely) anyways, with little regard for how they feel about it. I am gentle of if I think it’s a hearing impaired individual.
A group of Karens, not paying attention in my way receive my finest service, call it a high speed banshee call. It is very jarring. I’m gone before their Apple Watch gives them a loud environment warning.
Really dont understand that ?. Failed 11 plus exam remember
I'd probably go crazy if I had to listen to that bell the whole time I was riding.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:
Hikers hear you early, turn around relaxed – and it really most of the time turns into friendly interaction.
- no shouting
- no sudden braking
- no scaring people
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.
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Open carry brilliant idea , is wooden club with nail in it acceptable
Cougars! Animals, not humans for that one or the other of us still might be of interest for them to take a bite.
It's a sliding scale and location dependent. There are Phoenix-area communities with large numbers of "senior" cougars. The goals of these "cougars" are different from what society traditionally pictures.
OkCougars! Animals, not humans for that one or the other of us still might be of interest for them to take a bite.
Demographic learn something new every day in this forum, brilliant thank you.Cougars! Animals, not humans for that one or the other of us still might be of interest for them to take a bite.
Cougars! Animals, not humans for that one or the other of us still might be of interest for them to take a bite.
My apologies @Just gan. Turns out I was on the wrong safari……..
Teri Hatcher now your talking what a Honey
Mid-October to the end of April. Some of the more mobile ones that were originally from northern states will migrate (they're referred to as "snowbirds") back to their northern climates to minimize becoming human jerky once the local temperatures are consistently above 100* F (38* C).
I just shout MEDIC!!!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….
Wow, flashback to elementary school days for me. I probably haven't heard that song in 40-50 years. Thanks!
When's peak Cougar season ?