Rules of the Trail...my own private list

On Wed, 04 Apr 2007 15:59:34 -0400, "(PeteCresswell)"
wrote:

Per Paladin:

13. Smile, wave, slow down, say howdy, have fun out
there, and don't be so arrogant and serious that you
can't yield to other users and riders.

14. Consider getting one of those single-ding bells. (Incredi-Bell is one).
I avoided it for years because of both the dork factor and the belief
that people would take it the wrong way - as in "Here I come
gedoutta my way!".

But what I kept finding was that sometimes non-cyclists take "On your
left" the wrong way - not comprehending the meaning. I'd get back
the occasional something to the effect of "So does yer mamma!"...

After scaring an elderly couple into near-strokes in French Creek
state park (what they were doing on this trail was beyond me.... if
I weren't going down hill I would have been walking... and having
trouble walking at that) I bought one.

You can make many different sounds with it from a subtle "clink" (deadening
the bell part with the thumb) to a really loud ringing sound.

What's wrong with simply saying "hello"? Who wants to hear a bell in
the wilds??? That's exactly what we go there to get AWAY from!

Used judiciously, I've gotten nothing but good feed back. You do
a full-on "Ding" 75-100 feet back - when you're in the "Oh, there's
something back there range" and not the "Uh-oh!" range. Then you
can follow it up with a quieter "clink" or two if you're not sure they
know you're there.

A surprising number of people say "Thank You".
===
I am working on creating wildlife habitat that is off-limits to
humans ("pure habitat"). Want to help? (I spent the previous 8
years fighting auto dependence and road construction.)

Please don't put a cell phone next to any part of your body that you are fond of!

http://home.pacbell.net/mjvande

On Apr 4, 1:59 pm, "(PeteCresswell)" wrote:
Per Paladin:



13. Smile, wave, slow down, say howdy, have fun out
there, and don't be so arrogant and serious that you
can't yield to other users and riders.

14. Consider getting one of those single-ding bells. (Incredi-Bell is one).
I avoided it for years because of both the dork factor and the belief
that people would take it the wrong way - as in "Here I come
gedoutta my way!".

But what I kept finding was that sometimes non-cyclists take "On your
left" the wrong way - not comprehending the meaning. I'd get back
the occasional something to the effect of "So does yer mamma!"...

After scaring an elderly couple into near-strokes in French Creek
state park (what they were doing on this trail was beyond me.... if
I weren't going down hill I would have been walking... and having
trouble walking at that) I bought one.

You can make many different sounds with it from a subtle "clink" (deadening
the bell part with the thumb) to a really loud ringing sound.

Used judiciously, I've gotten nothing but good feed back. You do
a full-on "Ding" 75-100 feet back - when you're in the "Oh, there's
something back there range" and not the "Uh-oh!" range. Then you
can follow it up with a quieter "clink" or two if you're not sure they
know you're there.

A surprising number of people say "Thank You".
--
PeteCresswell


Bells are great. I have a buddy that uses a Kona cowbell when going
down hill. Of course, he "needs more cowbell."

CDB

On Apr 4, 1:42 am, "Paladin" wrote:
snip
4. If the trails are soft from rain, DON'T RIDE THEM.
Our soil is not forgiving when it's soft and muddy
like east coast trails. Go home, go running, go
skiing, or sit on your couch, but if the trails are
Snip

Paladin
accept no cheap, younger substitutes.

Actually east coast trails in these parts are not at all forgiving in
the rain...
Not that that stops any of the moron contingent

Jimbo... get off my lawn...(san)

On Apr 5, 1:36 pm, "Jimbo(san)" wrote:
On Apr 4, 1:42 am, "Paladin" wrote:
snip

4. If the trails are soft from rain, DON'T RIDE THEM.
Our soil is not forgiving when it's soft and muddy
like east coast trails. Go home, go running, go
skiing, or sit on your couch, but if the trails are
Snip

Paladin
accept no cheap, younger substitutes.

Actually east coast trails in these parts are not at all forgiving in
the rain...
Not that that stops any of the moron contingent

Jimbo... get off my lawn...(san)


Dood! You & Carla gotta see this. Then you gotta come out and try
it: http://www.idahovelopark.org/

I spent a few days on the gulf coast of FL, a beautiful place, but the
beer selection was lousy! I talked to the various beertenders who
told me we've got it made in the NW with all the great micros.

CDB

On 5 Apr 2007 10:45:38 -0700, Paladin wrote:

Bells are great. I have a buddy that uses a Kona cowbell when going
down hill. Of course, he "needs more cowbell."

I've found that flicking the brakes works very well. It makes a sound that
is quiet enough that it doesn't startle hikers, but unusual enough that it
gets their attention if I'm behind them.

I usually slow down enough to give them time to step aside, so there's no
need to yell out "on yer left!" (which sounds a bit demanding, and often
they take that to mean THEY should step to their left).

Saying "thanks" is always good too. After all, they did step aside for
you.

--
-BB-
To e-mail me, unmunge my address

On Apr 5, 1:48 pm, BB wrote:
On 5 Apr 2007 10:45:38 -0700, Paladin wrote:

Bells are great. I have a buddy that uses a Kona cowbell when going
down hill. Of course, he "needs more cowbell."

I've found that flicking the brakes works very well. It makes a sound that
is quiet enough that it doesn't startle hikers, but unusual enough that it
gets their attention if I'm behind them.

I usually slow down enough to give them time to step aside, so there's no
need to yell out "on yer left!" (which sounds a bit demanding, and often
they take that to mean THEY should step to their left).

Saying "thanks" is always good too. After all, they did step aside for
you.

--
-BB-
To e-mail me, unmunge my address


I do the brake flick too.

JD

Per Paladin:
I spent a few days on the gulf coast of FL, a beautiful place, but the
beer selection was lousy!

We were driving down the road on the Space Coast - after sunset, on our way to
find some dinner... and my wife said to me (in *total* innocence) "You know,
this place looks a lot nicer after dark."
--
PeteCresswell

Paladin wrote:

On Apr 4, 2:23 pm, " wrote:


On Apr 4, 3:59 pm, "(PeteCresswell)" wrote:



But what I kept finding was that sometimes non-cyclists take "On your
left" the wrong way - not comprehending the meaning. I'd get back
the occasional something to the effect of "So does yer mamma!"...


I ran into this often in Salem & Boston, where the trails and paths
get a lot of hikers, walkers, kids and pups. I found "coming through
on your left" to be about 95% effective, as opposed to a simple "on
your left" being closer to 50%. It's a touch of extra breath to get
those extra two words out, but it's less than is required to get back
up to speed after someone turns into your path to see what's "on their
left" (and that's assuming you don't hit them or crash, hindering your
progress even more.




Complicate the whole situation by the ipod factor, where lots of
hikers are groovin to their tunes, oblivious to others, and can't hear
you say anything anyhow... sheesh.

CDB



Heck,

I've had this on some of the local MUTs I use to commute. Full
incredi-bell about 100 ft behind...no response. Ditto at 50ft. At 30 ft
I yelled "passing on your left!" I slowed down and tried it again at 15
ft adding the bell again...still nada and I could hear her iPod going
strong. Man, did she ever freak when she just about stepped into a
handlebar as I rode by. To top it off, she then tried to take a strip
out of me for almost hitting her.

All I said back was "Maybe you should turn down the volume. Have a nice
day!"

Ride defnsively, friends...too many people are oblivious these days.

Michael

On Apr 5, 5:56 pm, "(PeteCresswell)" wrote:
Per Paladin:

I spent a few days on the gulf coast of FL, a beautiful place, but the
beer selection was lousy!

We were driving down the road on the Space Coast - after sunset, on our way to
find some dinner... and my wife said to me (in *total* innocence) "You know,
this place looks a lot nicer after dark."
--
PeteCresswell

this was our home away from home awhile. Your white sand beaches are
amazing!

http://www.sandestin.com/baytowne_sub_2.asp?sub2_id=210

cdb

On Apr 3, 11:42 pm, "Paladin" wrote:
A newspaper reporter contacted me for an article on trail etiquette,
and I threw the following together quickly to help him meet his
deadline. We really are starting to get a barney problem on our lower
trails, where the traffic's been increasing ever year. So here's my
email to the guy:

Dear D____, snip

If your schedule is real tight, here are the pressing
trail etiquette issues in the Boise foothills right
now:

1.Downhill riders must yield to uphill riders. Stop
at the edge of the trail and let the uphill rider
pass. As the yielding rider, don't ride off trail, but
stop, lean your bike out away from the trail, and you
may place the outside foot off-trail if it's a narrow
trail.

2. Mountainbikes yield to all other users. Slow down
or stop for pedestrians, slow down or stop for dogs,
horses, strollers, aliens, you name it, we slow down
or stop for everybody. A friendly greeting and
advance warning coming up behind other users is very
important, too.

3. STAY ON THE TRAIL. Don't cut switchbacks, don't
ride off the trail. Ride through the middle of mud
puddles, if any, so as not to widen the trail. Stay in
the middle of the trail if at all possible. This is
probably the biggest problem we see out there. That
and not yielding to uphill traffic and other users.

4. If the trails are soft from rain, DON'T RIDE THEM.
Our soil is not forgiving when it's soft and muddy
like east coast trails. Go home, go running, go
skiing, or sit on your couch, but if the trails are
too wet, stay off them.

5. Don't remove rocks from the trail. Hard to
believe, but folks have been caught doing this with
the excuse that they were making the trail "easier."
If you can't ride it, walk it. Don't ride around a
feature. Stop and carry your bike over it so that you
stay on the trail.

6. Don't lock up your tires and skid. This tears up
the trail and promotes erosion. Control your speed,
or learn to ride faster, but don't fly into corners
and then tear up the trail dragging a rear tire with
the brake on. These make "barney divots" that turn
good trails into miserable washboards over time.

7. If you ride with a dog, bring water, and pick up
after the beast. Always.

8. Always wear a helmet, and insist that other riders
do, too, especially your kids. One day I yelled
across a canyon telling a rider to wear a helmet.
Half an hour later I was patching up a deep bleeding
gash in his chin that could have been avoided with a
helmet. If a mountainbiker gets hurt on the trail, we
all suffer.

9. Pick up after yourself. No candy or power bar
wrappers, gu wrappers, kleenexes, you name it, just
pack it out. No big deal.

10. Be careful going downhill, especially around
blind corners. Slow down, announce yourself, or
you're likely to crash into someone coming up. Expect
lots of traffic on Hulls Gulch, up AND down.

11. Ride on marked trails only. Do not violate
private property postings. Do not make your own
trail. Do not ride on trails that are marked closed
to bikes. Close gates after you go through them.

12. If you ride alone, take a cell phone and make
sure somebody knows where you'll be riding.

13. Smile, wave, slow down, say howdy, have fun out
there, and don't be so arrogant and serious that you
can't yield to other users and riders.

snip

Paladin
accept no cheap, younger substitutes.

Another one I thought of on last night's group rides, is

"When you come across someone broken down, ask if you can help." and

"When following a female, don't follow too close so as to make her
nervous or questions your intentions." And

"Before attempting something that might be very difficult or
dangerous, don't hesitate to ask for a spotter."

Or a tribute to last night, "When the ride is over, and you're
sweating, tired and totally wrung out, kick back, open a beer, grab
the chips and salsa, and watch the sun go down."

The list grows..

CDB