MTB Events/Races - Etiquette?

[Wyatt Earp]

I say to the rider that as soon as there is a chance I'll let him pass yet he gives me lip.

 

That rider is a goof.

[Li Mu Bai]

I'd like some input to the following scenario. I'm bombing downhill on a single track with a verge that is not rideable(at least safely) at say 35km/h and a faster rider comes up behind me. Now the only way to let the rider pass is to stop and pull off the track. I say to the rider that as soon as there is a chance I'll let him pass yet he gives me lip. Does etiquette suggest that I should simply stop and pull off the track? Would that not both slow him down even further and be dangerous to both of us?

Nope, I think you are correct to pull over when it is safe for you to do so. Sometimes there is little choice but the faster rider will have to wait a little bit. It puts you under pressure, but its no good injuring yourself or ruining your bike because somebody is blowing in your ear. I had a similar situation on the fast single tracks at Karkloof this year. Tiring and 3 hotshots right on my tail, i got out of their way when there was a suitably open spot, caught my breath, and hit the trail again. no real fuss.

[Showtime]

I'd like some input to the following scenario. I'm bombing downhill on a single track with a verge that is not rideable(at least safely) at say 35km/h and a faster rider comes up behind me. Now the only way to let the rider pass is to stop and pull off the track. I say to the rider that as soon as there is a chance I'll let him pass yet he gives me lip. Does etiquette suggest that I should simply stop and pull off the track? Would that not both slow him down even further and be dangerous to both of us?

 

Hy moet wag.

 

I don't understand people. They think all their friends and extended family are watching a live feed of their racing results and that people at work will admire them for their 212th place on Monday. If you are not at the olympics nobody else is taking your cycling seriously so you can relax if you lose 5 minutes in a race.

[scotty]

I'd like some input to the following scenario. I'm bombing downhill on a single track with a verge that is not rideable(at least safely) at say 35km/h and a faster rider comes up behind me. Now the only way to let the rider pass is to stop and pull off the track. I say to the rider that as soon as there is a chance I'll let him pass yet he gives me lip. Does etiquette suggest that I should simply stop and pull off the track? Would that not both slow him down even further and be dangerous to both of us?

 

I have a formula, the louder they shout and moan the slower i go, and i can go verrrrry slooooow.

 

I will give way to faster riders and will even pull over when i think is convenient, not when they tell me.

[River Rat]

 

 

That rider is a goof.

 

I called him something else, which did not improve his mood.

[sometime]

Etiquette is appropriate and most of what has been said here is common sense. But at the end of the day if you want to avoid the frustration of being caught behind riders who can't bunny hop a Lego brick, then you need to up your game on the flats and the climbs so that you're riding at the sharper end of the field where these problems are minimised.

 

If you can't do this then you need to accept that sitting behind Miss Daisy, with a saddle bag the size of a coffin and walking the single track with their bike between their legs, comes with the territory.

[=Bones=]

I'd like some input to the following scenario. I'm bombing downhill on a single track with a verge that is not rideable(at least safely) at say 35km/h and a faster rider comes up behind me. Now the only way to let the rider pass is to stop and pull off the track. I say to the rider that as soon as there is a chance I'll let him pass yet he gives me lip. Does etiquette suggest that I should simply stop and pull off the track? Would that not both slow him down even further and be dangerous to both of us?

 

The faster rider needs to chill, when it is safe to you would move over and let them pass or where there is space for them to go around safely they can do that. Unfortunately getting stuck behind people in single track and technical sections is part of MTB races and people need to calm down and learn to deal with it. With Mtbing getting more popular this is just going to get worse.

 

I learnt very quickly to only move over when I could and it was safe to do so - fell plenty trying to move out of people's way rather than holding my line till safe to move over. My safety and that of those around me comes first before the couple of seconds I may hold you up.

[Grebel]

Another thing I noticed... those chumps listening to music on their ipods while in the race. I watched this racing snake trying to pass this guy who was oblivious that he was trying to be passed because he was listening to music.

 

Not allowed as far as I recall. We were at the start of a race when a race official instructed a rider to remove his headphones and that if he was seen with them in on course, he would be pulled off the course.

 

One of the CSA rules as far as I know...?

[martinsnyman]

Etiquette is appropriate and most of what has been said here is common sense. But at the end of the day if you want to avoid the frustration of being caught behind riders who can't bunny hop a Lego brick, then you need to up your game on the flats and the climbs so that you're riding at the sharper end of the field where these problems are minimised.

 

If you can't do this then you need to accept that sitting behind Miss Daisy, with a saddle bag the size of a coffin and walking the single track with their bike between their legs, comes with the territory.

Three guys finished the race because of my coffin sized saddle bag - two guys got a free bomb and the third a brand new tube with slime!!! So next time, instead of dissing the oke, hope he is nearby when you need help - and the day will come!

[martinsnyman]

I'd like some input to the following scenario. I'm bombing downhill on a single track with a verge that is not rideable(at least safely) at say 35km/h and a faster rider comes up behind me. Now the only way to let the rider pass is to stop and pull off the track. I say to the rider that as soon as there is a chance I'll let him pass yet he gives me lip. Does etiquette suggest that I should simply stop and pull off the track? Would that not both slow him down even further and be dangerous to both of us?

This happened to me my very first ride at Groenkloof, the oke came flying up behind me on the ST, I apologised and said I would pull over as soon as there was a gap, he politely replied that the rider in front has right of way and that he will pass me as soon as there is a gap to do so. Nice!

[Joe Low]

Great discussion especially with Li M wotsit putting the alternative view; its brought out a load of issues.

 

For me, it makes me certain i never want to do a 40km mtb event. Sounds like too much waiting and too much angst from riders who think theyre right when theyre not.

 

I like how the question comes back to those complaining about talentless riders - what are you doing behind them? Its not as though they were abducted by aliens before being dumped at the back of the field through a hole in the time-space continuum.

 

You're with those folk because you are those folk, now make friends and play nice.

[Wyatt Earp]

Great discussion especially with Li M wotsit putting the alternative view; its brought out a load of issues.

 

For me, it makes me certain i never want to do a 40km mtb event. Sounds like too much waiting and too much angst from riders who think theyre right when theyre not.

 

I like how the question comes back to those complaining about talentless riders - what are you doing behind them? Its not as though they were abducted by aliens before being dumped at the back of the field through a hole in the time-space continuum.

 

You're with those folk because you are those folk, now make friends and play nice.

 

Well put Joe.

I would like to add to what you said, I have ridden my bike from all over, the front, the middle and the back.

 

It's really interesting to see what battles everyone goes through, from the guys at the front to those who walk the smallest hill.

 

My wife drove the Notties to Himeville route to get me at the finsih, she pitched up two hours after I finished, my kids and the missus couldn't stop raving about how brave all the riders were.

 

Bottom line, everyone is there to take up the challenge, a little bit of courtesy has never killed anyone.

[Grebel]

I think the issue also comes when you get a classic and a marathon using the same course. The 70km riders do catch the 40km backmarkers and that can cause problems

[arendoog]

Good etiquette is to pass when it is safe and thank the rider if he made any efford for this to happen safely .I cannot understand when snakes try to pass you at the worst possible place in a race .Like the 2 rocky descents at down and dirty.A school boy cut in front of me to try and take the only gap between the rocks while i was already in the gap .He almost took both of us out .Most of the youngsters are not taught good manners when they start racing.They fix their bikes in the tract around a blind corner ,again this happened on saterday.My fast 110kg momentum will split him in half

Edited September 3, 2012 by Blitzer

[goya-goya]

wow....

 

when I started cycling I was k@k as poop! slow... not much stamina... but I tried like hell to race all the races I entered... everything is temporary! even when you are strong you have k@k days... now things are a little different... for me now to expect a "weaker" rider for whatever reason - including alien abductions - who is front of me to stop on a steep incline and then start after I have passed them... is asking a bit much... I know how difficult it is... What happened to real etiquette!

 

Its a race yes... but part of a race is that you are racing against other people... not other obstacles! If someone is in front of you... its their line! suck it up... find a way around and stop bitching like a girl! ..if they find it in their "space" to move over for you... that is a friendly gesture.. not expected.. appreciate it. AND SAY THANK YOU!

[martinsnyman]

wow....

 

when I started cycling I was k@k as poop! slow... not much stamina... but I tried like hell to race all the races I entered... everything is temporary! even when you are strong you have k@k days... now things are a little different... for me now to expect a "weaker" rider for whatever reason - including alien abductions - who is front of me to stop on a steep incline and then start after I have passed them... is asking a bit much... I know how difficult it is... What happened to real etiquette!

 

Its a race yes... but part of a race is that you are racing against other people... not other obstacles! If someone is in front of you... its their line! suck it up... find a way around and stop bitching like a girl! ..if they find it in their "space" to move over for you... that is a friendly gesture.. not expected.. appreciate it. AND SAY THANK YOU!

Give that man a spyker bomb!