Passing/Being Passed

[Loren]

Guys, the original poster was talking about trail riding, not racing. There are entirely different rules and expectations.

[dirt]

I don't like bells, and I'll tell you right now that some people don't know what the *beep* that little ding is. I didn't because no one ever used one to try to pass me until I came down here to race, and the person using the bell seemed to miss one key point: you don't have a right to make anyone pull over to let you by.

A bell doesn't demand anything, that's the interpretation of the person hearing the bell. In fact, I'd say a bell says noting but there is someone behind you, they are behind you probably because they caught you, and they would probably like to pass, otherwise they wouldn't have rung the bell.

It is also easy to do without being misunderstood. You don't have a person, probably out of breath, trying to say something that might be misheard or misunderstood by someone who is also breathing heavy.

It's also handy, because it's easy to ring the bell as you are coming up upon someone, rather then having to yell out for a distance. So, it gives the rider a warning that someone is coming up on their tail.

[dirt]

So, I assuming you don't move out of the way for faster cars on the freeway? Or when grandma is trying to pass you when she is mall walking?

Seriously man, this is the exact attitude that causes issues. What ever happen to being polite? Trail, road, ride, race, walking, running, etc. If someone is faster than you, let then pass. When the trail is tight and unsafe, you just have to wait your spot. I pass when it is safe and let others pass when it is safe. Being an ass wipe is not allowing someone to pass.

Well lets see;
A trail IS NOT a freeway. No designated left lane and if I can't get out of the way at the mall for grandma it's because some other grandma is in the way. Thankfully, I rarely go to the mall.
I DID NOT SAY I DON"T LET FOLKS PASS , they can pass when the opportunity presents itself. Exactly, "YOU JUST HAVE TO WAIT YOUR SPOT".
Yes, being an ass wipe is not allowing people to pass. Being an ass wipe is also thinking slower riders have to ride in the weeds or stop their ride/race for you.
I expect other folks passing me to use their good judgement and make the pass a safe one. IT IS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. Me,I'm going to hold my line which helps to make it a safe pass.

..and that's the reason why "when you have a chance" is a good method, because the person in the lead has the better view of the trail, has a better judgement of when 'your spot' is, and able to communicate when a good spot is coming, and which side they will take, allowing the passer to take what is given to them.

[iamkickstand]

I find this discussion pretty funny.

If it's a race, you're caught, you're passed, move over, don't be a *beep*, common courtesy isn't all that common. Don't ruin a faster rider's race just because you want to put down your best back of the pack PR ever.

As for a regular trail ride, again, don't be a *beep*, if you're coming up on someone just be polite, "can i get by ya?" if they don't answer ask again, if that doesn't work then they are probably just being a *beep*, so pass whenever you feel like it.

I have had only 1 problem EVER riding on the trails, I announced myself 3 times to some yahoo on a walmart bike without a helmet out riding with his buddies, he heard me, but didn't move over. So I passed him my way.

I ride a lot with my son, and he is 6, we get caught a lot, I just ride behind him so I can hear/see people coming, I check behind me frequently, and we hop off the trail and stop for a whopping 5 seconds and then continue on our way. We got caught and passed 2 or 3 times yesterday and 2 or 3 saturday, no one even had to ask to pass us.

Same thing when i ride alone, I get caught, and I catch people. very rarely do I even have to ask to pass, most people here my chainslappin ass coming and move over before I have a chance to ask.

I don't understand why so many people have a harsh attitude about this and can't just move over for people or wait pateintly for someone to move over for you?

[Roy]

If you the first of a group to pass, be sure to call out " 3 more riders comming around" or something like that. The rider being passed will often time pull a side for 1 rider and then turn back into the trail.
Roy

[b_b]

Most of my passes go something like this... They can usually hear my hub so they know what's about happen. When I see an opening I say something like coming by on you left as I'm passing and then it's over quick and easy. I usually prefer the rider to just hold their line and I can get by just fine.

[G.Cook]

Most of my passes go something like this... They can usually hear my hub so they know what's about happen. When I see an opening I say something like coming by on you left as I'm passing and then it's over quick and easy. I usually prefer the rider to just hold their same line and I can get by just fine.

EXACTLY! See how easy that is without all the fricken "drama".

[Di_bear]

I don't like bells, and I'll tell you right now that some people don't know what the *beep* that little ding is. I didn't because no one ever used one to try to pass me until I came down here to race, and the person using the bell seemed to miss one key point: you don't have a right to make anyone pull over to let you by.

A bell doesn't demand anything, that's the interpretation of the person hearing the bell. In fact, I'd say a bell says noting but there is someone behind you, they are behind you probably because they caught you, and they would probably like to pass, otherwise they wouldn't have rung the bell.

It is also easy to do without being misunderstood. You don't have a person, probably out of breath, trying to say something that might be misheard or misunderstood by someone who is also breathing heavy.

It's also handy, because it's easy to ring the bell as you are coming up upon someone, rather then having to yell out for a distance. So, it gives the rider a warning that someone is coming up on their tail.

I was dinged from quite a distance, and then he dinged me again from still a distance. When he finally got up to me and said something, that's when I said, "I'll let you know when it's safe to pass." I've *never* had anyone stuck behind me who was too out of breath to communicate verbally.

[Di_bear]

If it's a race, you're caught, you're passed, move over, don't be a *beep*, common courtesy isn't all that common. Don't ruin a faster rider's race just because you want to put down your best back of the pack PR ever.

On that note, I have quite a few racing medals at home with a couple of first places. I was passed by quite a few people in those races, but several of my hard-earned top-three finishes were earned by a matter of seconds. The funny thing is that the *man* behind me most likely isn't anywhere near the medals while I may be in the top three. Perspective. If a sport rider is behind a beginner rider, that beginner may be fighting for a top-three finish while the sport rider has no chance. The sport rider's race is *not* more important than the beginner rider's race, but my point is that everyone is fighting in their own race, and no one person has the right to trump another. With that in mind, go back and read what I wrote on page one of the thread.

If someone is on my tail during a regular ride, I usually ask if they want to go by. Surprisingly half of them usually say no. I sometimes offer that in a race if I know that the person isn't in my category.

[Laser4G63]

Just don't be like this guy.

FIGHT!!!

[b_b]

If someone is on my tail during a regular ride, I usually ask if they want to go by. Surprisingly half of them usually say no.

[G.Cook]

Just don't be like this guy.

Oh yeah , lets point your finger in a *beep* off ass holes face THAT won't get your ass kicked.

If someone is on my tail during a regular ride, I usually ask if they want to go by. Surprisingly half of them usually say no. I sometimes offer that in a race if I know that the person isn't in my category.

Yeah, that's my usual response.

[TenSpeed]

From someone who gets passed a lot on the trails, I think that I have a good perspective. Never stop to let someone pass you. It's not a safe practice to get into. My wife does that, and I hate it. I told her to keep going, and the person should pass when it is safe. I can hear you coming up behind me. If you cough, if you have a loud hub, if you shift gears, I can hear that. I know you are there, and I usually say hi or some other greeting. I have the better perspective of the trail, so let me pick the spot. If it is a trail that I don't know well, or it's my first time out there, I just say let me know when you want to pass. Almost all of the time, the faster rider knows the trail, and they say there is a good spot after the next left turn or whatever, and sure enough, the trail is wide, they pass and usually say thank you. It's clean, no one gets *beep*, no rude comments, nothing. I also don't wear earphones on the trail. I haven't, and I won't, even though I love music. I feel like it is dangerous, even with one earbud in. I need to concentrate on the trail, what's around me, ahead of me, and especially what is behind me.

On my last ride at Custer, I came up on a father and son riding their Wal-Mart bikes, and the son kept trying to stop on an easy uphill to let me pass. I insisted that he kept going, and that I would pass when the trail opened up a little more. I told him that he should never stop on an uphill, and that the rider wanting to pass needs to wait until it is safe to do so. I also told him to not worry that I was back there. I was a safe distance behind, and told him that. The kid was just starting out, couldn't have been more than about 12 or so, and was having major issues deciding what gear to get into, although that might have been the bike heh.

I got to thinking about that, and started thinking about two lane roads. When you come up on a slower car, you don't expect them to pull over to let you by. The faster driver waits until there is a passing zone, and passes. Why should the trail be any different?

[ibisman]

if you are racing I figure you have to earn that pass...I'm not moving over or slowing down for racer boy unless there is a clear straight or open area. Just yell, on yer left and I will make room if I can. I have been taken down at races before my assholes passing where there was no room.

[iamkickstand]

If it's a race, you're caught, you're passed, move over, don't be a , common courtesy isn't all that common. Don't ruin a faster rider's race just because you want to put down your best back of the pack PR ever.

On that note, I have quite a few racing medals at home with a couple of first places. I was passed by quite a few people in those races, but several of my hard-earned top-three finishes were earned by a matter of seconds. The funny thing is that the *man* behind me most likely isn't anywhere near the medals while I may be in the top three. Perspective. If a sport rider is behind a beginner rider, that beginner may be fighting for a top-three finish while the sport rider has no chance. The sport rider's race is *not* more important than the beginner rider's race, but my point is that everyone is fighting in their own race, and no one person has the right to trump another. With that in mind, go back and read what I wrote on page one of the thread.

If someone is on my tail during a regular ride, I usually ask if they want to go by. Surprisingly half of them usually say no. I sometimes offer that in a race if I know that the person isn't in my category.

I agree with what you have said.

I forgot about the fact that at some point there are riders in different classes out on the course at the same time.

I don't race XC (other than ore to shore every few years) so on my rides I have no problem pulling off for 2 seconds to let someone by.