REVIEWS DEALS BIKESHOPS TRAILS

Etiquette lessons for beginners

2810 Views 54 Replies 30 Participants Last post by Blksocks, Jan 2, 2010

k7baixo

Discussion Starter · Dec 26, 2009

In pretty good shape for an older guy - check
Bike is on order - check
Trails identified, nothing too technical - check
Good knowledge of trail etiquette - opps

I think I have lots of common sense - having motorcycled and off-roaded for quite a while but I'd rather have input as to generally accepted trial etiquette. I guess some things transfer - off-roaders generally yield to those climbing. I assume it's the same.

If I break-down, I guess I should move off the trail as best as possible. Horses/riders - stop, move off the trail as best as possible, relax until they pass - correct?

What else should I be aware of as to not ruin my day or someone else's?

1 - 20 of 55 Posts

AZ

· #2 · Dec 26, 2009

Sounds about right , in some localities you dont ride on muddy trails .

JimC.

· #3 · Dec 26, 2009

The formal stuff...

http://www.imba.com/about/trail_rules.html

Jim

One Pivot

· #4 · Dec 26, 2009

horse people are dicks, you can throw rocks at them.

besides that, you're good! the big thing most people dont get straight is to yeild to climbers, but you got that. i like to carry a patch kit to give to other bikers if they need it; might save someones day and cheaper than giving out 4-8 dollar tubes.

One Pivot

· #5 · Dec 26, 2009

and dont intentionally skid, and ignore the NEVER SKID EVER NO MATTER WHAT people.

GiddyHitch

· #6 · Dec 26, 2009

One Pivot said:
horse people are dicks, you can throw rocks at them.

Horse people are dicks, but I'm not sure that I would advocate throwing rocks at them. I certainly wouldn't bow as they passed like they were royalty or remain frozen lest their smelly money pit buck them. Those big ass horses tear up the trails like a backhoe and crap everywhere and mountain bikers are made to look like the bad guys because horse people are the kind of people that have lawyers on retainer. God, horse people are the worst, go ahead and throw rocks at them.

ACSN

· #7 · Dec 26, 2009

Good thread.. keep us newbies informed. :thumbsup:

perttime

· #8 · Dec 26, 2009

Be nice. Say hello to the nice lady walking her dog.

Somebody wants to pass you? Let them, when there's a good spot for it. And let them know that is your intention.

k7baixo

Discussion Starter · #9 · Dec 26, 2009

perttime said:
Be nice.

Good reminder...

tihsepa

· #10 · Dec 26, 2009

What do you do if ........ lets say............. a person riding an ostrich wants to pass?

[email protected]

· #11 · Dec 26, 2009

A from Il said:
What do you do if ........ lets say............. a person riding an ostrich wants to pass?

Take a picture and post it here.

perttime

· #12 · Dec 26, 2009

A from Il said:
What do you do if ........ lets say............. a person riding an ostrich wants to pass?

Doesn't really matter what the faster person is riding...

... unless it is big and obviously not trying to avoid running over you

Mike Di

· #13 · Dec 26, 2009

I was riding back on a fire road, and noticed an old fart on horseback approaching. He was all decked out in his best duds, and hat. (there are no cowboys in Rhode Island)
I stopped to the side to let him pass. As he came buy he said, why do you guys always stop, the horse thinks somethings wrong and gets upset.
I replied, just showing some courtesy man.
How are we supposed to know what that dopey beast is thinking?
Truthfully, his horse looked to be about two years away from the dog food cannery.

stingray4540

· #14 · Dec 26, 2009

Mike Di said:
I was riding back on a fire road, and noticed an old fart on horseback approaching. He was all decked out in his best duds, and hat. (there are no cowboys in Rhode Island)
.

If you're from the east coast and wear a cowboy hat and boots, you're not a cowboy, just an easy to spot hill billy/*******. Lol, I work with one, cracks me up.

OP: You pretty much got it down, and that IMBA link will pretty much fill in anything else. The most important though, in my mind, is yielding to climbers, even when I have right of way, I yield to climbers.

Mike Di

· #15 · Dec 26, 2009

you got it!

An easy to spot *******!!!! That's the truth!

stingray4540 said:
If you're from the east coast and wear a cowboy hat and boots, you're not a cowboy, just an easy to spot hill billy/*******. Lol, I work with one, cracks me up.

OP: You pretty much got it down, and that IMBA link will pretty much fill in anything else. The most important though, in my mind, is yielding to climbers, even when I have right of way, I yield to climbers.

Gasp4Air

· #16 · Dec 26, 2009

You're cooperative outlook is welcome! :thumbsup:

I didn't see this among the things mentioned: Be nice to hikers, even if a few of them are clueless. Slow down to walking pace, announce yourself and they almost always will step aside for you. And watch those blind curves - might be a little kid around the bend!

perttime

· #17 · Dec 26, 2009

Gasp4Air said:
And watch those blind curves - might be a little kid around the bend!

Or a big tree that fell a minute ago.... or a bear mother with her cubs.

Bottom line about blind corners: they are blind. You don't know what is on the other side. Once in a few years, it could be something you don't want to run into.

JTreehorn

· #18 · Dec 26, 2009

Is there certain MTBrs that dont get along with other MTBrs? I know that might be a weird question but I notice when Im riding there are certain MTBrs that I pass and wave at or greet and they just stare at me like Im crazy. Is there certain etiquette when passing a fellow MTBr? Should I not wave or greet?

AZ

· #19 · Dec 26, 2009

JTreehorn said:
Is there certain MTBrs that dont get along with other MTBrs? I know that might be a weird question but I notice when Im riding there are certain MTBrs that I pass and wave at or greet and they just stare at me like Im crazy. Is there certain etiquette when passing a fellow MTBr? Should I not wave or greet?

Do what you want to , most wave and say hello , its not often that I run into people on the trail that dont wave or say hello .

perttime

· #20 · Dec 26, 2009

People riding bikes are still people.
Some of them are nice, some are shy, some may be rude. Some want to ride hard and find greetings a distraction.

Do what you do, let others do what they do. If someone doesn't return a greeting, don't let it wreck your day. Ride on and enjoy the ride.

1 - 20 of 55 Posts

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