Inovative Trail Conflict Solution

[b_b]

LOL yeah the "On your left" is not 100% effective, but I it does have the best results. Yep kids are the worse and I always just slow way down to their speed and very gently say something, but they often still lock up the brakes or ride off the trail and I'm like aww man you didn't have to do that.

[b_b]

Never ceased to amaze me that bikers will yell out a direction and expect the normal reaction to be other then someone moving into that direction.

Actually I've had really good success with "On your left" and I've tried other approaches with less success. I've not tried the bell, but that just seems so impersonal and I don't mind using my voice.

[Di_bear]

Never ceased to amaze me that bikers will yell out a direction and expect the normal reaction to be other then someone moving into that direction.

Actually I've had really good success with "On your left" and I've tried other approaches with less success. I've not tried the bell, but that just seems so impersonal and I don't mind using my voice.

My voice and a nod. I've always gotten friendly results, but I'm one of those weird people who doesn't mind slowing down for others and treating them respectfully, even when I want to be totally alone or I'm on a fun, fast section of trail.

[Doc_d]

When you're winded and you're trying to say "on your left" far enough back to give them time and loud enough to ensure it's heard, it can come off as sounding angry or aggressive.

I've been walking before when I get a loud gruff "on your left!" and even I think, "what an *beep*". So I fully slow down to walking speed and very gently say, "I'm going to slide by on your left". I will always thank them and tell them to have a good hike as I go by.

I've also had numerous bad experiences (most on pave paths) saying "on your left" and having the people move right in front of me. I hate to say it but I've found the best course of action on the paved paths is not to announce my presence at all.

[mtbfree]

When you're winded and you're trying to say "on your left" far enough back to give them time and loud enough to ensure it's heard, it can come off as sounding angry or aggressive.

I've been walking before when I get a loud gruff "on your left!" and even I think, "what an *beep*". So I fully slow down to walking speed and very gently say, "I'm going to slide by on your left". I will always thank them and tell them to have a good hike as I go by.

Yep, it's pretty much impossible not to look and sound like an *beep* when you blow by somebody on the trail without slowing down, regardless of how early/well you announce your presence. That's probably because if a rider is not in the middle of a race, and said rider doesn't slow down for other trail users on singletrack trails (i.e. less than 4 feet wide), then the rider is actually being an *beep*.

So next time you're thinking about blowing by somebody on the trail, ask yourself these questions:

1)Am I in a race right now? (the organized kind where you're competing against other people... racing your wristwatch doesn't count)
2)Is this trail more than 4 feet wide +/-?
3)Do I want to be an *beep* to a complete stranger today?

Unless you answered "yes" to one or more of the above questions, slow down, announce your presence and pass when it's comfortable for everyone involved (you probably should announce your presence regardless, unless you answered "yes" to #3).

[Critter7r]

Never ceased to amaze me that bikers will yell out a direction and expect the normal reaction to be other then someone moving into that direction.

Does not compute... :confused

It's not like I'm riding up at 20mph and yelling "LLLLEFFFFFTTT!!!!". If I see them ahead of time, (which is almost always, unless there's a blind corner involved, which is rare for me) I'm slowing down and pretty much talking to them in a conversational tone where I say, "I'm going to pass on your left". And they promptly weave to the left in front of me.

Should I be saying "please move to the right"? (That just sounds pompus to me, like I have any right to tell them what to do. I feel less so telling them what I intend to do.) Or "rider approaching", and let them figure it out and just go where they aren't?

[c0nsumer]

It's not like I'm riding up at 20mph and yelling "LLLLEFFFFFTTT!!!!". If I see them ahead of time, (which is almost always, unless there's a blind corner involved, which is rare for me) I'm slowing down and pretty much talking to them in a conversational tone where I say, "I'm going to pass on your left". And they promptly weave to the left in front of me.

Should I be saying "please move to the right"? (That just sounds pompus to me, like I have any right to tell them what to do. I feel less so telling them what I intend to do.) Or "rider approaching", and let them figure it out and just go where they aren't?

I tend to do this, but more say "Hey there! Mind if I go by you on the left/right/whatever?" That almost always works out great, even for the most gruff hikers who won't say hi or make eye contact.

[dan1888]

I like seeing the people and pets on the trail I ride. It's a signifigant hike when bike speed takes 30+ minutes until a cross. One that sticks was my first time on the trail a x runner who really pushed the ups and downs. Soltude is part of what many hikers enjoy, so I try to intrude as lightly as I can on their experience.

[Di_bear]

When you're winded and you're trying to say "on your left" far enough back to give them time and loud enough to ensure it's heard, it can come off as sounding angry or aggressive.

I've been walking before when I get a loud gruff "on your left!" and even I think, "what an *beep*". So I fully slow down to walking speed and very gently say, "I'm going to slide by on your left". I will always thank them and tell them to have a good hike as I go by.

I've also had numerous bad experiences (most on pave paths) saying "on your left" and having the people move right in front of me. I hate to say it but I've found the best course of action on the paved paths is not to announce my presence at all.

As someone who has never been more than an intermediate rider in the Keweenaw--meaning I've had "windless" sections of trails on EVERY ride, whether I wanted that or not--I NEVER had a problem with other user groups. I've never had a problem with communicating.

It all comes down to WHO YOU ARE. If I can do it, a racerboy can do it, so don't give me that crap.

Make excuses and be part of the problem; or be part of the solution. It's that simple. Man, the Lower Michigan attitude still befuddles me.

Or perhaps, no matter how slow and out of shape I am, I'm still a better rider than those who just can't communicate with others or read the trail with other user groups present.

[2WheeledWarrior]

Doc_d, your "not announcing your presence" *beep* the hikers off. You don't have to deal with it, but every rider coming up later will then have to deal with it. The only reason I can think of as to why you are having problems is because you are not giving enough time. If that's the case, "proper previous planning prevents *beep* poor performance." The problem isn't the person, it's you.
I just say "Rider up!" and let the person decide which way to go. I do use a bell when I'm racing because I am out of breath and the riders know, generally, what to do.

[Di_bear]

I do use a bell when I'm racing because I am out of breath and the riders know, generally, what to do.

...and while I don't have a problem with a bell, don't expect people to move out of the way without further communication. My only race at Ft Custer, someone dinged a bell at me, but they weren't close enough to pass at that point. I sure as *beep* wasn't getting off the trail because I was in a different race than them (a different category *is* a different race), and NO ONE should have to sacrifice their race. Moving off the trail isn't a requirement, although it is polite, but it requires politeness from the passer as well. Just pointing that out. In the end, verbal communication helps a faster rider move by a slower rider without either sacrificing their race.

[Sortaslow]

I need no bell. The loose screws in my melon suffice.

[utabintarbo]

I need no bell. The loose screws in my melon suffice.

Hmmm, I thought you needed to grease your seatpost.

[cramer]

Doc_d, your "not announcing your presence" *beep* the hikers off. You don't have to deal with it, but every rider coming up later will then have to deal with it. The only reason I can think of as to why you are having problems is because you are not giving enough time. If that's the case, "proper previous planning prevents *beep* poor performance." The problem isn't the person, it's you.
I just say "Rider up!" and let the person decide which way to go. I do use a bell when I'm racing because I am out of breath and the riders know, generally, what to do.

You say "rider up" when passing people on a paved path?

[Doc_d]

When you're winded and you're trying to say "on your left" far enough back to give them time and loud enough to ensure it's heard, it can come off as sounding angry or aggressive.

I've been walking before when I get a loud gruff "on your left!" and even I think, "what an *beep*". So I fully slow down to walking speed and very gently say, "I'm going to slide by on your left". I will always thank them and tell them to have a good hike as I go by.

I've also had numerous bad experiences (most on pave paths) saying "on your left" and having the people move right in front of me. I hate to say it but I've found the best course of action on the paved paths is not to announce my presence at all.

As someone who has never been more than an intermediate rider in the Keweenaw--meaning I've had "windless" sections of trails on EVERY ride, whether I wanted that or not--I NEVER had a problem with other user groups. I've never had a problem with communicating.

It all comes down to WHO YOU ARE. If I can do it, a racerboy can do it, so don't give me that crap.

Make excuses and be part of the problem; or be part of the solution. It's that simple. Man, the Lower Michigan attitude still befuddles me.

Or perhaps, no matter how slow and out of shape I am, I'm still a better rider than those who just can't communicate with others or read the trail with other user groups present.

Doc_d, your "not announcing your presence" *beep* the hikers off. You don't have to deal with it, but every rider coming up later will then have to deal with it. The only reason I can think of as to why you are having problems is because you are not giving enough time. If that's the case, "proper previous planning prevents *beep* poor performance." The problem isn't the person, it's you.
I just say "Rider up!" and let the person decide which way to go. I do use a bell when I'm racing because I am out of breath and the riders know, generally, what to do.

Did either of you actually read my post? You may want to read it again with a little more focus on comprehension this time. I specifically said on the trail, in an extra effort not to sound so rude, I slow down to the hiker's speed and very politely ask if I can pass. I also said I always make a point to thank them and tell them to have a good hike. How does that make me part of the problem Di?

The only time I don't announce myself is on paved paths because I've had such bad experiences with people turning and stepping right in front of me.