MTB Trail Rules - Do ascending riders have right of way?

[rouxtjie]

I'm not even talking heavily congested, or WC DH winning speeds.

 

Take the bombhole or the hurlingham line for example. If a rider drops in while another rider is climbing, it's far safer for the climber to pull aside, than for the descender to manoeuvre around.

 

Yes, trails like the above mentioned should be one way, but the fact is it is the Spruit. Nothing but common sense can dictate.

Agreed on the common sense. Its just some morning I feel like a relaxed coffee run....spruit for the win. Some mornings I want to do distance...Breedts for the win and then some mornings I think I am bearclaw's twin boetie at redbull rampage and go to kings or VG and let the "beast free"...which in reality is not as impressive as in my mind

 

Horses for courses

[Joe Low]

... every single biker going uphill gives me right of way, well before i can even slow down or move off the track...this has happened more often than not.

But that's great then, isnt it? You're thinking of them and vice versa so everyone's happy.

 

To have the faster rider bearing down on the uphill rider with the threat of heavy impact, expecting the uphill rider to the situation safe is crazy.

 

In civilized countries pedestrians and cyclists and motorcyclists have more rights on the road than cars because of their vulnerability. I was surprised to find thats not the case here and this thread kinda mirrors that.

[patches]

Agreed on the common sense. Its just some morning I feel like a relaxed coffee run....spruit for the win. Some mornings I want to do distance...Breedts for the win and then some mornings I think I am bearclaw's twin boetie at redbull rampage and go to kings or VG and let the "beast free"...which in reality is not as impressive as in my mind

 

Horses for courses

 

yup! totally!

 

I agree that in most cases the climber should have right of way. This should only change in certain circumstances, as dictated by the trail.

 

But the overruling law is that "he who has the most travel has right of way"

[Guest Omega Man]

Nothing but common sense can dictate.

The reason rules exist is because humans are pretty much shaved orangutans and are almost completely void of common sense.

[geecee]

rules may be rules, and enjoyment aside.

 

IMO i feel it is far safer for someone going up to move out the way than someone going down.

generally going down = fast try move out the way on single track going at speed and go off onto a less ridden section of the path or rock/tree/cliff/bank

 

yes its far harder to get going again for someone going up. but someone ascending is not likely to lose teeth or break bones when moving out the way.

 

that being said where i ride i generally ride directional routes so its not soo much an issue and the bi directional routes have more than enough room for passing

[NotSoBigBen]

yup! totally!

 

I agree that in most cases the climber should have right of way. This should only change in certain circumstances, as dictated by the trail.

 

But the overruling law is that "he who has the most travel has right of way"

 

'they' shouldn't be meandering along the spruit anyway, losers!

Edited January 14, 2013 by NotSoBigBen

[Adrian4Four]

In my view it is easier when going downhill to move over for the person going uphill. I can get my stride back easily after moving over, but when your stride gets broken going uphill it can be harder to get back on the gas.

 

If 29er's have right of way, 26er's have to move off the path, what do 650b's do?

 

totally agree!!! Yes it sucks a bit when you're slowed down by someone on the track, but its so much easier to jump off the track shoot past and jump back on than it is for the person pedaling their ass off up a hill... its common sense really, but i guess not too many people have that...

 

Saw a guy wanting to start a fight with the guys a few weeks back while everyone was climbing the "Delta Park-Long Tree Climb" and he was belting downhill, with MORE than enough space to jump off the trail, pass them and jump back on, but i guess he was one of those with no-sense...

[Daft Vader]

If you think the spruit's climbs are severe enough that you can't get out of the way, perhaps you need to try another sport, like 29er riding. Use your friggen head, and if its easier for you to move, then do so. If it's not, then both slow down.

 

And stop cutting the f******** corners if your 29ers handle that well.

[NotSoBigBen]

If you think the spruit's climbs are severe enough that you can't get out of the way, perhaps you need to try another sport, like 29er riding. Use your friggen head, and if its easier for you to move, then do so. If it's not, then both slow down.

 

And stop cutting the f******** corners if your 29ers handle that well.

 

[rouxtjie]

If you think the spruit's climbs are severe enough that you can't get out of the way, perhaps you need to try another sport, like 29er riding. Use your friggen head, and if its easier for you to move, then do so. If it's not, then both slow down.

 

And stop cutting the f******** corners if your 29ers handle that well.

Ok be honest now, by how far are they klapping you on the climbs and flats

[jcmeyerSS]

 

 

But the overruling law is that "he who has the most travel has right of way"

That's not fair. I'll never have right of way???

Edited January 14, 2013 by jcmeyerSS

[Shebeen]

Ascending has "right of way" on trails where you can go in both directions...always have, always will. If this is an issue to you, go ride somewhere where it its one way only....simple

I'm with this line of thinking. but only in GENERAL, as there is no way a default rule can cover all types of trails.

 

Sometimes it makes more sense for the downhill rider to give way, sometimes the uphill. If it's a grey area then apply the following in equal measures

Common sense:respect

 

If it's a grey area, then get the trail owner to make an official sign to make it black and white. no argument.

[Conquistador]

If you think the spruit's climbs are severe enough that you can't get out of the way, perhaps you need to try another sport, like 29er riding. Use your friggen head, and if its easier for you to move, then do so. If it's not, then both slow down.

 

And stop cutting the f******** corners if your 29ers handle that well.

 

Good point. Over the last 5 years the Spruit has been sginficantly "dumbed" down as far as riding goes:

1. The route up the Delta tree line was on the left. The route down was between the two rows of trees with the fun filled roots and ruts.

2. The singletrack at the top of Delta have some good high speed corners - it is now virtually straight line.

3. Ramps have been built up 15cm pavements, concrete edging on the side of the road has been removed.

I blame 29ers. Like an American V8 - fast in a straight line but don't corner..........

[patches]

Ok be honest now, by how far are they klapping you on the climbs and flats

 

Haha, Daft Vader will annihilate 95% of them on climbs, flats, whatever.

 

If you've seen his legs, you'll know why.

[DR ◣◢]

Agreed. What is with the corner cutting lately. The Spruit Fairy has done an excellent job of getting the trails to flow but some people just want to watch the world burn!

[Greg29]

I just want to tell the two assholes that decided to push me off the trail and into a drainage ditch yesterday...

 

Good luck picking up your teeth with broken fingers. You two muppets clearly think that you own the spruit and that you can keep right when and where you want.

 

Sad part is the shop branded shirts they were wearing. Feel sorry for a the shop.

 

Now days you're guaranteed to pass at least 1 set of Doo$'s (what's the plural for Doo$) on the spruit!!!!

 

p.s. Where & what's the 'bombhole'???????