Luckily, there is a trail split not too far ahead, or I'd be with them for a good while. Wondering what your take would be? Cheers.
What is the proper etiquette on the trails? Should I let the family know I need to pass, or just gently wait behind?
byu/linkmodo inMTB
by linkmodo
39 Comments
They were going like 1.5 mph I’d just walk up and ask if I can pass
Yea ask if you can pass for sure.
If I were him I would have heard you coming and pulled over with my kid before you caught up. Just say “hi there”, if they aren’t aware…usually enough. But yes I would definitely say something.
“Hey, do you mind if I scoot around ya? Thanks!”
Get a bell. Ring the bell.
[ Removed by Reddit ]
“Biker, Biker” followed by “thanks guys, you’re doing great!” 👍🏼
Yeah, that’s nuts, just ask to pass
Proper etiquette dictates you blow past in a full sprint…
The proper etiquette is ALWAYS to communicate. Always. Also, get a bell 🙂
Loud ratchet is the key!
Jokes aside: I usually wait for a while, because I scared already too many people when I said hey.
you ring the bell you should have on your bars
You can speak right?
“Hey, I’m just going to come past on your right” done.
20 seconds in – the second that kid put his feet down – was when you should’ve used your voice. “Hey do you mind if I pass?” You have a voice, just be a good human and use it?
If I was the Dad of the kid I would be listening for faster riders and teach my kid to move to the side to let others pass.
Get a Timberbell, you’ll never have this problem again. Except for the earbud people.
“Yo! Hey good day for a ride eh? Do you mind if I sneak past you?”
Problem solved! You just need to communicate.
We like to throw around right of way rule here, a lot. But at the end of the day, no one should be impeding traffic. You just need to communicate is all. Any reasonable person will pull over to the side to let you pass.
I start with “Good morning,” to give a chance for them to offer to pull over. If they don’t offer, I’ll cheerfully say, “Looking to pass when you get a chance.” If that fails and I feel some urgency, I might announce “Passing on your left” and then ride half in the bushes so I can safely pass. I’m more likely to take a water break than attempt an uninvited pass. By the time my break is over, they’re probably pulled over and taking their own break.
Just ring you bell!
Ring the bell on approach, when close you call out “passing on your left”. They will move.
A really annoying bell that rings from vibration.
They should have let you through
Just say “on your left”, and pass them on the left. If they don’t move to the right then you’ll have to ask them to move.
Bet the dad also camps in the left lane going 50
The ones that knows you’re behind them and don’t move out the way tends to have a me first mentality. If its one of those people then I avoid a full meltdown if possible especially when they have their kids around them.
[ Removed by Reddit ]
“Morning yall. When you feel safe, I’d like to come by.”
Thank the parents and encourage the kids.
I have a trail bell for this reason. Has a damper so I can switch it on and off
I start talking to them. Hey great bike! How long has he been riding? They will usually offer up the pass.
Most times I say something like ‘sorry can I pass’
Ideally the father should have noticed and check back from time to time.
In this situation I do the following:
1. Announce my presence. I do this with a simple Good Morning! or Hello There! I prefer these to Rider Back! because they’re more of a natural conversation.
2. I’ll ask to get by when they’re comfortable. With a little one I plan on going slowly for a little bit until kid and parent are ready. Usually they know what’s up and get over pretty quickly. If they don’t show any indication of making way, I’ll look for a spot where I can safely get around without disturbing anyone or just wait for a split
**Things not to do**
* Don’t ride up and say nothing, expecting them to let you by. Communication is key
* Don’t charge or squeeze by (not saying you did this, OP, just speaking in general)
* Don’t lose patience
* Don’t be an asshole
Use your words.
Realistically the dad should realize you’re behind them and let you pass but just ask. They’re not gonna bite lol
As a frequent dad on the trails with my kiddo I always try to be mindful of people going faster than us. This dad is clueless and being a pain in the ass.
The bike bell has been a god send for me. It gently gets people’s attention well before I need to make the pass – that would be my suggestion in this scenario
I think you handled it well, especially knowing that the turn you wanted was just up ahead. In a situation like this where I know I’m turning off anyway, I’ll just wait for my turn.
If I know it’s thick with no room for me for a bit, then I’ll announce my presence friendly “Beautiful day for a ride” or something. Most people will offer the pass then. Then step up to something like “looking to pass, no rush”.
I mean the proper etiquette would have been for them to pull over to let you pass. Pretty obnoxious for the dad not to of her knew you were there. Either way a “mind if I pass” is totally fine.
In that short clip there were multiple places to safely pass on the left without anyone needing to stop and pull over. Call out your pass and then give the words of encouragement.
Proper etiquette is not tailgating the father and kid like a jackass
Step one, slow down a little to build a gap
Step two, build up speed massively using the gap
Step three, take a very deep breath
Step four, LEEEEEEEEEEEEEROOOOOOOY JEEEEEEEENKIIIIIINS and let nature sort things out.