Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Add Reply
Trail etiquette?
Topic Started: Sep 11 2013, 09:25 PM (199 Views)
andyjh
Mud Lover
Interested in how you guys announce yourselves to walkers whilst approaching them from behind? I ask as recently I clearly upset a small group and found myself on the receiving end of some outbursts!

I will slow right down and announce myself by saying 'excuse me' in a calm voice. I figure to shout whilst approaching could be perceived as a little impatient and rude so I slow and try not to raise my voice too much. Obviously once people have moved I will thank them as passing. This has worked for me until this recent incident and no one has indicated that they didn't appreciate this method.

On this occasion I was met with immediate questions as to where my bell was? Statements about they being bikers also and that wasn't acceptable, etc. When passed they then started shouting 'bye' at me for some reason. I did think about stopping and discussing the situation to work out what I had done wrong but I just felt they were cross and would not be reasonable. So I just rode away whilst being shouted out!

So, how do you guys approach and announce yourselves?

Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
darth vader
Member Avatar
Mudking
First of all for the sake of your sanity , you have to realise you will never be able to be right all the time :D there are nasty people out there who wont share , no matter what you do they will moan, most wont and are happy to share ,

I actually have a bell (single ping type and on occasion use it )

I try to always try to be polite as one can be , as I feel we are a limbo sport and could just as easily be banned from bridal ways as easily as we are accepted so I try to maintain as friendly an image of bikers as possible
I do if needed stop for walkers or horses

I do ride cheeky trails a lot so need to keep a low profile


Surprisingly , people cant hear bikes and so react badly if startled , I have found over the years that a shout of' good morning' or similar when you are some way off , much further away than you would think ,works best

I feel pinging bells and ' excuse me' although meant polite and friendly, can just as easily come across as being pushy, with negative out comes

That said If I am on a bridle way and am treated rudely I will respond measure for measure , Do take care if you do this as there are nutters out there

but never dwell on these tiffs as it ruins your fun , Those grumpys will never have as much fun as you
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
robbo167
Bog Monster

Im afraid it sounds like you have encountered the dreaded SDW Miserable Walkers Club......dont worry yourself too much,there seems to be a few of them about,always near a carpark..I blame the weather.
What you are doing is fine Andy,as Darth says you cant please everyone,but if you encounter them be sure to point out that a bell is not a legal requirement and that they are on a shared use trail,if they dont want to share why not use a footpath instead?...useally find the brave shouty ones(always in a group) quieten down when they see the cyclist return to continue the conversation...just stay polite and move on if you want to....or not.

I use a small bell but much prefer riding midweek..much quieter!!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Jim
Member Avatar
If this was a combat situation, we'd be dead by now.
wee on their shoes.

I have a bell, but have come to the conclusion that people are either a) deaf or b ) ignorant twunts so normaly ring and shout to make sure im noticed.

Dog walkers in Stanmer though have a circle of hell reserved all for themselves though.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
andyjh
Mud Lover
Thanks guys, seems like I'm not doing us all a dis-service and acting way out of line on my rides, phew.

Although I do like your idea Jim, I feel it could go horribly wrong and quite literary backfire! :lol:

I have come across quite a few grumpy walkers in my brief return back to cycling but most of that has been refusing to get out of my way until they have made me slow to almost a stop and then side step just enough at the last minute :angry: This has been on nice wide trails with plenty of room and with most of their party already way over and clear. I don't understand it myself but they seem to get some sort of kick out of causing me inconvenience! However I do agree with Darth that we are in a limbo sport so I still smile and thank them for moving.

To balance this I have also met plenty of happy and gracious walkers so I guess is just a reflection of life and the characters you meet along the way.

I think I well buy myself a bell just to help myself in future. Personally I hate them on my bike as I feel like I might as well put a basket on there at the same time :lol:
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Rob DuPre
Liberally Covered
Just shout 'Rider' when you are about 100mtrs or so behind. Then Alfred and Betty will stop, have a little chat between them about all the shouting going on. Eventually the penny will drop and they will turn around and glare at you . By now you are 50m away and closing fast .
Afred will step to one side ,and Betty will go to the other , whilst Ernest and Gable up ahead will also come to a complete stop because Alfred and Betty have .
There now starts a game of Mike Reids 'Runaround' or 'chicken' as you are now 10m away and can see the whites of their eyes. Betty makes a break to the left to join Gable as there is safety in numbers whilst Alfreed waves his stick somewhere in your general direction. Ernest is deaf and hasnt really cottoned on there is a 12st hairy biker about to insert a 2.35 into his backside , so doesnt 'RUNAROUND >>>>>NOW' when commanded by Mike Reid .

Leave them in the dust as you shout thanks and wave heartily in the genereal direction of the nearset tea shoppe , as it wont be far away.

hasnt happened to me , oh no, not ever .
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
andyjh
Mud Lover
Brilliant :lol: So much of that is true, well all apart from the 12st bit :o I wish :lol:
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
JimXC27
Member Avatar
Mud Connoisseur
My technique works every time. I skid. Hard.

To them it sounds like i'm about to crash into them, so they instinctively move/jump out of the way - normal reaction. Alfred types will always pull Betty to the side wih him. Quite often they move to the side i'm planning on going but then i swing the other way (not like that). Sometimes the brakes are squeaking so that adds to the effect.

No matter how i try to make "excuse me" sound ok, it never does. People will always put their hackles up. I tried it, slowing down, excuse me...but always fell flat. Same on a shopping street. Dunno what it is, hence brits will often just wait for someone to move, hoping to catch their eye and speak via a look. fks me right off. E.g. in stansted the other day at passport control, this guy was next in line, was on his mobile. he was called up, the control officer just pulled a face and stared at him.....the guy continued yapping. the officer waved a finger and he finally hung up. So, dont bother with the talking. Make a loud sound and they'll move.

Only speak if they dont move. Had loads of them too. Dunno what they hope to achieve, but eventually their terrier will step out, Jacqueline will lunge for it and you make your move. be sure to comment as you pass!


Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
andyjh
Mud Lover
With level of current skill I would probably end up on my arse if I tried that technique :lol:

I know what you mean though, I do find taking people by surprise even saying excuse me does come across as slightly rude or at least it's taken that way. I wouldn't be surprised if that was the cause of my incident the other day, they were just caught off guard and their reaction was to lash out at me. I do try to free wheel when approaching in the hope that the noise of the bike will alert them to my presence but most of the time that doesn't work until you are right on them. A bell might be my best option here but I do hate them :angry:
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Ming the Merciless
Member Avatar
Overlord of all Known Sheds!
I usually lock up the back wheel about 30metres from them causing them too look around. Then a cheery hello as me and the Sith hound go past.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
andyjh
Mud Lover
If I get out this weekend I will try this and attempt to not fall off in the process :lol: With any luck though the weather will stop most people going out so might get a clear run :)
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
SugarHigh
Member Avatar
Liberally Covered
I go for the overly nice yet slightly in your face approach. A big old good morning/afternoon, I make sure I'm slow enough that I can then follow up with "lovely weather" for when it's particularly wet and my face is clearly covered in mud or "nice breeze today isn't there" for the days when it's unbearably hot and the sweat is pouring down my face and there isn't actually a breathe of wind to be felt. My personnel fave is "Great day to be out in the fresh air isn't it!" as I sail past a rather bad smelling chicken farm or freshly manured field.

This approach is great as you get that extra step backwards from your fellow bridleway users as they further try to distance themselves from the complete nut case next to them and you can see the worried look on their faces with the minimal response they give in the hope that you will not stop and try to engage them in any further conversation.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
andyjh
Mud Lover
Haha, I like the complete nutcase approach :lol: I bet that works wonders with not having to deal with any comeback B)
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
ZetaBoards - Free Forum Hosting
Free Forums. Reliable service with over 8 years of experience.
« Previous Topic · Muddyarse · Next Topic »
Add Reply