Rider Back!

[fortvillian]

Okay, I'm not a big fan of saying "rider back" as you are coming up behind someone on the trail.  To me, it doesn't seem too friendly. I do use it and, of course, say thank you while completing the pass. Let's hear some alternatives!! 

[djkouza]

I just say "coming up on you".  I think most runners/hikers are just happy if you say something.  I've had a few times where people are like "THANK YOU!!' and say I'm the first person who has said anything.  I always make sure they hear me and acknowledge me.  I normally try to say it so I'll have plenty of time to stop before I'm on them incase they don't hear or resond.


Typically with other riders, I'm more prone to just ride behind them a bit, sometimes it's nice to have a buffer to make me rest a little.


I will say I've recently had a few times where I've had people stopped on the trails in bad places
(bottom of one hill on TR, kinda a blind spot)  Sometimes if I'm going fast enough that I don't think I'd be able to stop if someone was stopped infront of me, I whistle to hopefully alert people. 


In the end my advice is assume that people may not hear you and they could be around any given corner.  I never like running/riding with headphones either... but that doesn't mean others won't use them.

[Dan71]

In this situation I always think how nice it would be to have a Chris King rear hub.  I figure it would get the chipmunks and snakes off the trail also. 

[Raleighguy29]

In this situation I always think how nice it would be to have a Chris King rear hub.  I figure it would get the chipmunks and snakes off the trail also.

when I'm on my single speed I'll usually let my i9s speak for me first. Then I'll start a conversation. Say hi or nice day out hear.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[mtbikernate]

"Excuse me" works wonders.


When I say, "Rider back!" I'm typically calling to riders in my group who are ahead of me, letting them know that a faster rider is coming up behind them.


Similar thing with "Rider up!" I'm letting riders in my group behind me know that there is a rider coming from the opposite direction.


Loud hubs help some, true. I have Hope Pro II EVO hubs that are plenty loud.


Always a cheerful, "Thank you" whenever someone lets me go by.

[tony]

A nice "hey, how ya doin'?" always works for me.

Also, I try to keep an eye on the trail behind me to have an idea when people might be coming up behind me

[gmcttr]

As one of the riders that is usually overtaken, please say hello or whatever while you are still 10' behind me and I will be happy to let you pass.

What I don't like, are the riders that grunt or say passing, etc. as they are actually starting their pass. Yes, it scares the crap out of me and I may become a danger as I inadvertently swerve into you. In the event of a crash, I may bleed all over you as well.

[Fett]

Whenever I come up on someone, I usually say "I would like to get by whenever it is safe."
 
If being passed, I control the situation by telling the rider when it is wide enough to get by and pointing the the side that I would like them to pass on, so there is no miscommunication.

[ELduder]

That is why it is nice to have a bell. You can ding it from far back and then give them a nice yo-ho as you get closer.

[adamrodkey]

I typically slow down to their speed, give a friendly "hello" and usually they then pull over and "sorry." I say "no problem at all, thanks!"

[mdbhound25]

Always say hello when back aways then let them know I am in no hurry and will ride with them until a good time to pull over.  While I do most of the passing, last thing I want to do is screw up their ride..  If anywhere close to the finish, always say will just ride with them out.  **No matter how fast you think you are, there is always someone somewhere faster unless your name is Tinker!

[Mahk]

How far off the trail is the slower rider expected to move, and how much are they expected to slow down in order to let the other rider pass?  What if they do little or none of either? 

[djkouza]

How far off the trail is the slower rider expected to move, and how much are they expected to slow down in order to let the other rider pass?  What if they do little or none of either?

I'd say give another nice "Let me know when I can pass"  then it's really a call based on how slow they are going, and how clean of a pass you can do w/o them letting you by.  Maybe just start singing really bad and they'll just stop so you'll be away from them LOL.  Dunno tough call when someone is being a jerk, it's hard not to be a jerk back, but if it's a shorter trail then I may just hang back and enjoy a slower than normal ride.

[Paul_Arlinghaus]

Etiquette is a two way street, so not sure there is a clear cut answer.


Some riders are very comfortable passing or being passed in tight quarters. Others may not be comfortable at all with someone passing while they are still riding.


Communication is the key.  Passing rider should let the rider in front know they would like to pass when convenient.  Rider being passed should communication how they would like the pass to happen.  If they are comfortable being passed while riding, they should waive or flick and elbow when they are ready for the pass.  If they aren't comfortable, they should indicate that they will pull over when convenient. 


If both riders are doing there part, things should work out fine. 

[Dave Tozer]

A simple, "How's it going", or something like that does the trick about 90% of the time for me.

9% of the time I will eventually need to ask if they could let me pass when there is a good spot to do so.

1% of the time (like 2 people over a 15 year stretch) someone will get defensive and intentionally not get over until they realize it isn't worth it. I just hang back and let them do their thing.

I too dislike hearing riders yell, "Rider back!". I think it heightens the anxiety that newer riders feel. It can make other riders feel like they don't belong on the trail.  Let's face it, we come across new riders all the time and many of them try too hard to get out of the way quickly. I encourage riders to take their time.