[Closed] Trail Etiquette

B

B.

A bit of both is nice.

C) Both should kiss.

Bit of both. But B in terms of prime responsbility.

B

Both

D) the faster rider should [s]make their presence known[/s] follow at a safe distance and wait for a safe place to pass.

I guess we're going to hear about the C option in a minute.

Both should apply the "am I being a ****t?" rule.

But then that pretty much applies to life and everything.

B, but done politely. No point in being an arse, but at the same time sitting on someone's wheel for a long time doesn't help anyone either.

Speshpaul - Member
Both should apply the "am I being a ****t?" rule.

But then that pretty much applies to life and everything.

One of the two rules for life.

Rule one - Don't be a dick.
Rule two - Be [i]excellent[/i] to each other.

Just imagine how good life would be if everyone obeyed those two simple rules?

A bit of both is nice.

Just imagine how good life would be if everyone obeyed those two simple rules?

I'm not sure how an excellent dick would help, but as long as you're happy. 🙂

B

Also

D) the faster rider should [s]make their presence known[/s] follow at a safe distance and wait for a safe place to pass.

B

I'm not sure how an excellent dick would help, but as long as you're happy.

I didn't get where I am today without an excelle[[b]Stop that now! Mods. [/b]]

E: running commentary on slower riders line choices.

At least that's what my mate Andy does to me.

Thanks all - I know that "a bit of both" is ideal, but I was curious as to folks personal "trail rules".

I had a situation at Cannock today when going down a trail at a pace when a quicker rider came up behind me - but rather than tell me he as there, or tell me he wanted to pass, he chose to buzz my back wheel at 20mph and then tried to undertake me on a berm!?!

When we got to the bottom of the section he had a go at me "for not giving way to the faster rider".

My understanding was that B was the primary answer (usually with a "passing on the left/right"), but wanted to check in with other folks opinions.

Thanks!

rather than tell me he as there, or tell me he wanted to pass, he chose to buzz my back wheel at 20mph and then tried to undertake me on a berm

Hoof/slat interface is required.

When we got to the bottom of the section he had a go at me "for not giving way to the faster rider".

Dick.

*needs moar brake-check*

I had a situation at Cannock today when going down a trail at a pace when a quicker rider came up behind me - but rather than tell me he as there, or tell me he wanted to pass, he chose to buzz my back wheel at 20mph and then tried to undertake me on a berm!?!

When we got to the bottom of the section he had a go at me "for not giving way to the faster rider".

Obviously he has a tiny [s]excellent[/s] dick

Mostly B, but a little bit of A is good.

Unlike the twonk with earphones in I was stuck behind the other week. In the end I took a side trail as he had no idea I was there, and would have blithely ridden on forever with me saying 'excuse me'.

I'd say BA "the faster rider should make their presence known,the slower rider should move over to let them past at a safe place."
Both parties have a responsibility not to be a dick.......unless you ride in a large group.In which case you are fully entitled to do what the @$£% you want.

I'm quite often the slower rider & I opt for A. Get them past so I can focus on me & not be pressured out of my comfort zone.

I also like this when I'm not the slower rider.

Did somebody say C?

You dont have to "give way to the faster rider"
He's lucky you didn't panic and hit the brakes when he buzzed your tyre tbh, plenty of people would, not maliciously.
Id have told him to eff off and grow up.

How long should a rider be an excellent B with the other rider clearly aware and ignoring opportunities to let them past before taking their own (safe but a bit rude) measures? I guess it depends on the situation; if they can slow and speed up without ruining their fun, how much the faster rider made their own misfortune by not leaving a reasonable gap when they could etc.

Personally having someone faster stuck behind me ruins it for me and I get shot asap.

The trail was pretty much all singletrack, so hard to give him a place to pass (which I do normally do when I'm asked), but once he started being an idiot he was too close for me to stop anyway - we'd have just ended up in a massive crash!

Thanks again all for your answers - it confirms I'm not going mad!

CaptainFlashheart - Member

Rule one - Don't be a dick.
Rule two - Be excellent to each other.
[b]Rule three - Party on, dudes![/b]

In a race you probably should give way to the faster rider. Especially if you are being lapped. But they should make you aware they are there and wait to pass in a suitable place. Either they or you can suggest where that is. I like to point and say take the line. Leaves no doubt where you are intending them to pass.

In real life, just riding. The don't be a dick rule applies. Sounds like it was broken today. Not by the OP!

How long should a rider be an excellent B with the other rider clearly aware and ignoring opportunities to let them past before taking their own (safe but a bit rude) measures?

OP, you don't need a poll to confirm that the guy behind you was an utter dick. A boot/plum interface is required in these situations

Rule three - Party on, dudes!

Obviously.

C - the LEADING rider (to be called slower is an insult), once they've discovered their relaxed pace has attracted the attention of another rider 'kicks' and the race is on, first to the next natural stopping point, winner takes all, no quarter given, none asked.

People who suddenly speed up when you call 'on yer right' need shooting....repeatedly....in the dick....with a howitzer.

Of the official choices, B. D would be the better description though, and in reality, in common with some of the responses above, I just stop if someone is right behind me like that as I find it extremely stressful!

Maybe not applicable to UK trail centres but in the Whistler Bike Park, on green and blues slower riders have priority (so B), on black and double black then slower riders should get out of the way (A with a bit of B).

I've been the following rider twice - I'm not that fast so it doesn't happen often

1st was at Afan somewhere - longish singletrack descent. Some bloke set off inbetween me and my mate and was very slow. I waited for a bit behind him, got no response so stopped and gave him a lead. Caught him and repeated the above - twice. Dozy ****er eventually stopped to let me past literally less than 50 yards from the bottom.
My mate had been down about 5 minutes when I finally arrived

Second was in california. 5 mile descent, earned with a 5 mile climb. caught a pair of riders, one of whom was obviously fairly new to it and quite twitchy as it's quite exposed in parts. Waited behind them for about half a mile until they stopped. As I passed the one at the back, the other one cut back onto the trail and set off in front - not that much faster than before (but clearly leaving his hesitant mate on his own). I stopped to give him a lead, caught him and did the same again so just stopped and waited until the other guy caught up. He stopped and apologised for his "mate" who he said acts like a dick sometimes and hates to be passed

Both "events" have made me very keen to avoid doing it to any rider who might catch me

so for me it's "B", but eventually "A - you selfish ****!"

I think the guy in the OP's scenario certainly acted like a prat, there's no two ways about that. But as a multiple KOM holder and aggressive trail rider myself, I can certainly see his frustrations.

It's happened to the best of us I'm sure. Arrive at your local trail centre; spend twenty minutes in the car park psyching yourself up for a KOM run on the Black route; get round the third corner and you find yourself stuck behind someone who should really be on a Blue graded trail.

I used to shout "fast rider approaching, please move into the side" in an authoritative tone; this usually worked. Although if it didn't, it'd be a run spoilt and a ride back to the trail head cursing under my breath.

I'm planning on starting an e-petition for large features (three to four foot gaps and three foot drops) to be built on the Black graded trails at my local trail centre, in a bid to dissuade riders who really should know their place.

Again B is the answer, with a pile of don't be a dick.
Had a guy on a trail set off just behind me and the less confident person I was riding with - there was no need as they were sat chilling when we arrived at the start of the section. It was flowy with some rock rolls on it so on the top of each on I just hesitated slightly enough to reinforce that sitting right on my arse not saying anything was pointless. Want to pass say something but mostly don't try and chase people you don't know down a trail.
Then the other lot at Glentress who jumped in the middle of our group and harassed the slower riders by forcing their way through didn't seem to appreciate the sound of my Hope Hubs clicking behind them with added helpful comments...

If I catch a rider on the trail and it's not a good time, I tend to stop and create a gap. Don't really see I have the right to impose myself on the rider in front, their ride's as important as mine and generally the person doing the catching is more in control of the situation anyway and the slower rider might well not be in a great place to deal with extra hassle.

Especially at trail centres, where you tend to stop at the top of descents anyway. To be fair I don't get caught much these days but I used to, and I figured if you watched me wobble off down the trail then chased me down, more fool you. On a 2 minute descent, if you waited at the top then catch the rider in front, it's you that's screwed up.

Strava? If Strava affected how I ride like that I'd not use it.

Not sure why such a next level rider as Mr Taylforth is wasting time on black runs tbh

In the OP's situation, responding that the main rule of not being a danger others should be applied above any other, and that he (faster/following rider) was out of order would have been a good thing.

Did the Mods really sensor this thread?

Davidtaylforth doesn't mind holding road traffic up...

http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/what-should-you-do-in-this-scenario

I had to look at his posts to see if his post above was real.

Not sure why such a next level rider as Mr Taylforth is wasting time on black runs tbh

I like that the Mods might have censored this thread btw 🙂

B with a hint of A.

I used to ride with a friend who is partially deaf so any wind noise meant he couldn't hear anything behind him, A isn't really possible for him so I default to B. If I do notice someone coming up fast behind me and there is a safe place to let them past I will but sometimes it's safer to hold them up for a few seconds until you reach the end of the track/section/segment. If I catch someone up I'll either drop back a bit to create space or follow at a safe distance and make myself known then wait for a suitable place to go by.

Is this really something we need to debate (for the umpteenth time) ?

When I catch people at trail centres if safe I will call on your right and pass. If not I will wait behind or stop to let a gap open depending on the trail.

If it's a mate I'll buzz their wheel and heckle.

In a race if I'm being lapped I'll yield but that happens rarely. If I'm competing them I'll put my elbows out.

Another vote for B with a dash of A. My hearing is fubar, so unless you're on Hope hubs I won't hear you behind me. I make every effort to move over once I know there is a faster rider behind but the number of people who are sat around at the top of a climb but then start the descent "before the fat bloke we just passed" and hold me up even when I give them a head start often make me want to rethink that.

Oh, and davidtaylforth is a dick.

It's a hobby for all of us. If a rider is quicker than me I try to tell them I am pulling over to the left or right and never had a problem.

I have noticed a few times slow riders have had funny looks from faster riders but they're dicks who aren't good enough to race and want to moan at weekend riders for enjoying themselves.

for the rider at cannock who had a go at the slower rider...****in joke.

A bit of common courtesy and manners go along way and are free. Just have a good time whatever speed you ride at.

Oh, and davidtaylforth is a dick.

Not that I use trail centres much, but as one of the slowest riders on here I'd probably hold a hand up and lean against a tree to let another past. Well, as in driving, if he were really close then I'd probably slow down for a while first, to keep us both safe, while I look for a suitable straight.

His first paragraph was masterful. Lost it further in though.

I'm deaf in my left ear so anyone hooning up behind be usually makes me jump. My observation is that the truly fast riders either don't mind being held up while I find somewhere to let them pass or are good enough to get through with minimal disruption to either of us. It's the ones who think they are better than they really are that get arsey.

On the rare occasion that I catch someone and they don't pull over for whatever reason, and where I ride it could be that they don't speak English, I just sit back and treat it as a training run, trying new lines etc.
Unless you are in a race, chillax and just enjoy the ride.

If you want to overtake folk, ride a fatbike. I've seen riders almost jump off the trail in front of me when they hear 4" of knobbly rubber bearing down on them.

I vote B but on the understanding that the slower rider has no obligation at all to the faster rider.

ianfitz - Member
In a race you probably should give way to the faster rider. Especially if you are being lapped.

I think you're misunderstanding what a [i]race[/i] is :-). The only time in a race you give way to anyone is if you're being lapped. If it's another rider on the same lap as you, then it's up to them to find a way past. If they're the person immediately behind you, then you're even allowed to make life extremely difficult for them!

B & one should invite the other to be his/her facebook friend 😕

I think the guy in the OP's scenario certainly acted like a prat, there's no two ways about that. But as a multiple KOM holder and aggressive trail rider myself, I can certainly see his frustrations.

It's happened to the best of us I'm sure. Arrive at your local trail centre; spend twenty minutes in the car park psyching yourself up for a KOM run on the Black route; get round the third corner and you find yourself stuck behind someone who should really be on a Blue graded trail.

I used to shout "fast rider approaching, please move into the side" in an authoritative tone; this usually worked. Although if it didn't, it'd be a run spoilt and a ride back to the trail head cursing under my breath.

I'm planning on starting an e-petition for large features (three to four foot gaps and three foot drops) to be built on the Black graded trails at my local trail centre, in a bid to dissuade riders who really should know their place.

I started to laugh at this post thinking it could a joke then realised you are possibly being serious...deary me 😥 😕

I started thinking you knew he was a troll then realised you didn't. 😀

🙂

I started thinking you knew he was a troll then realised you didn't.

It had crossed my mind 😆

The answer is to ride natural stuff, you can go hooning off into the leaves, sticks and rocks in the unlikely event of actually meeting someone, and when you do bother riding a trail centre you'll be miles faster than all those black run warriors in their matching kit.

A - you must know you are a dawdler. Stop ruining other people's enjoyment.

A word of warning, as a PTSD sufferer, I deliberately try to maintain a calm demeanor. Trail etiquette, I give way to faster riders at the first opportunity, slower riders ill ride at a safe distance behind and have a friendly gab at the bottom, offer a few of the tips I've been taught...
But just reading davidtsylforths post up there, if that ever happened to me, I know the outcome, and it wouldn't be a hoof in the slats.
I'd be writing this on the Nokia I'd plugged up my arse before the sentance

offer a few of the tips I've been taught...

Tips off some random about how to be better are what makes the world go round

I'll listen to anyone giving advice personally, every day can turn out to be a school day 😀

It's like when driving in a car with someone slow in front, get right up their backsides to pressure them into speeding up.

Failing that overtake at the first opportunity even if it means getting in their way and risking their lives.

Ruddy old slow people.

I was riding steadily once, waiting for my slightly slower and less experienced, albeit more athletic friends to catch up. Once I heard them on my wheel, I gave it some beans to see it they could hold my wheel. To my surprise they weren't far behind at the end of the section. To my further surprise they weren't my mates either. They probably thought I was a dick. My buddies were passing themselves.

the slower rider has no obligation at all to the faster rider.

We should take a leaf from skiing where slower riders already down the trail have right of way and the onus is on the faster skier behind to pass safely.....problem solved but there's so much ego in MTB, at the moment I despair at some of the conversations I overhear at trail centres.

They should do a race or two, that'd bring down to size!

We should take a leaf from skiing where slower riders already down the trail have right of way and the onus is on the faster skier behind to pass safely.....problem solved but there's so much ego in MTB, at the moment I despair at some of the conversations I overhear at trail centres.

+1

NO reason why you can't hang back on a bit of single track until there is a clear place to overtake. I've ridden with riders who are hard of hearing and have no chance of hearing someone come up behind them. But do keep an eye over there shoulder. But this isn't always practical especially on technical sections.

We should take a leaf from skiing where slower riders already down the trail have right of way and the onus is on the faster skier behind to pass safely

The only rule/common sense that anyone needs

But dave +1 for a great post in true style earlier!! Made me laugh anyway