RIP: The ability to overtake on an MTB

[TheTashkentTerror]

Heres the thing. I have done a bit of racing in my time - cars, bikes etc.

 

You worked out pretty quickly that at the sharp end of the field all the guys could hit an apex and were pretty fast and the piece of track you wanted was normally occupied by someone as good as you. So to get around him you had to be creative. And sometime that meant using pieces of track that weren't considered track - kerbs etc. 

 

Its not like you were doing something that others couldn't.

 

You learned to be able to race off line and change your lines mid corner or pressure a guy in to a mistake.

 

That sir is racing.

 

Even buzzing hubs does the same - pressure and knowledge - its an accepted technique. Just like saying - I will be overtaking you next corner on your RHS sir so expect me to be there. Works a charm.

 

So dont think i am trying to be a knob and blocking or insisting i get track.

 

But you dont win races by sitting line astern in a race.

 

And you have to be able to overtake to win. Its a skill - maybe you should try and learn it. 

 

BTW - hit plenty warthog holes and had Flying W's and through thorn bushes in my time trying to get a piece of track from a guy - and i take full credit for my actions and have also recovered from a big hole and pedalled in to the distance. Warthog holes are not as scary as you think

You're quite a badass. Keep it up.

[Paul Ruinaard]

You're quite a badass. Keep it up.

no not really,

 

we just seem to have lost the ability to understand outbraking, racing lines and the ability to move off line and come out of a corner differently to others.

 

Hence the topic - RIP the ability to overtake.

[Oufy MTB (Roadie)]

I try to give way as soon as I can and when safe to do so. If you stuck behind then it means you weren't fast enough off the line or on the last climb. Want a clear run on the ST in a race, then blast from the start and hit those climbs like a demon. Otherwise be contented with the traffic on the ST.

 

I'm not the fastest on ST, nor am I the slowest, but I do try to blast off the start and climb fast to clear the slowbees. (then halfway in the race I'm knackered, but good whilst it lasted).

[popcorn_skollie]

As do I on the downhills. Just remember that when I am going down a rocky downhill, I am going down there as fast as I CAN, and borderline at my skills limit, so I dont have much in the way of reserves to change lines willy nilly, or open beer bottles in my rear wheel, one handed while doing wheelies.

 

If I hear a faster rider come up behind me, I will always almost immediately ask. "Want to come past" if they say "Yes", then I tell them, "Cool as soon as I can I will move to the LEFT". Often though they say "nah bud you keep going, I'll pass when I can"....

 

So moral of the story is, show consideration and you will probably get a postive response.

 

I wish all people could be this considerate. 

[Hairy]

As do I on the downhills. Just remember that when I am going down a rocky downhill, I am going down there as fast as I CAN, and borderline at my skills limit, so I dont have much in the way of reserves to change lines willy nilly, or open beer bottles in my rear wheel, one handed while doing wheelies.

 

If I hear a faster rider come up behind me, I will always almost immediately ask. "Want to come past" if they say "Yes", then I tell them, "Cool as soon as I can I will move to the LEFT". Often though they say "nah bud you keep going, I'll pass when I can"....

 

So moral of the story is, show consideration and you will probably get a postive response.

your best post for the past few years

[MTBeer]

Heres the thing. I have done a bit of racing in my time - cars, bikes etc.

 

You worked out pretty quickly that at the sharp end of the field all the guys could hit an apex and were pretty fast and the piece of track you wanted was normally occupied by someone as good as you. So to get around him you had to be creative. And sometime that meant using pieces of track that weren't considered track - kerbs etc. 

 

Its not like you were doing something that others couldn't.

 

You learned to be able to race off line and change your lines mid corner or pressure a guy in to a mistake.

 

That sir is racing.

 

Even buzzing hubs does the same - pressure and knowledge - its an accepted technique. Just like saying - I will be overtaking you next corner on your RHS sir so expect me to be there. Works a charm.

 

So dont think i am trying to be a knob and blocking or insisting i get track.

 

But you dont win races by sitting line astern in a race.

 

And you have to be able to overtake to win. Its a skill - maybe you should try and learn it. 

 

BTW - hit plenty warthog holes and had Flying W's and through thorn bushes in my time trying to get a piece of track from a guy - and i take full credit for my actions and have also recovered from a big hole and pedalled in to the distance. Warthog holes are not as scary as you think

so how many MTB races have you won then?

[PhilipV]

Single track !!! You don't over take on Single track does not matter who you are .

Of course you can overtake on singletrack.

You scope a safe line, tell the person you are going past on the left/right, commit to said line and send it. Remember to not be a box.

 

Sometimes people are slowing singletrack, and obnoxious as well, then usually I send the shortcut line between switchbacks. No use arguing with stubborn people, just drop them properly when you get ahead. Remember to not be a box.

 

Oh, and if it is just a ride, stop and give a slower guy some space or a descent. If you are stuck behind said rider on a ride, give him/he some pointers at the end ie get out of the saddle, brake before the corner, look out of the corner etc. And Remember to not be a box.

[jcza]

Bookmarked for post Sani contributions 

[Headshot]

Of course you can overtake on singletrack.

You scope a safe line, tell the person you are going past on the left/right, commit to said line and send it. Remember to not be a box.

 

Sometimes people are slowing singletrack, and obnoxious as well, then usually I send the shortcut line between switchbacks. No use arguing with stubborn people, just drop them properly when you get ahead. Remember to not be a box.

 

Oh, and if it is just a ride, stop and give a slower guy some space or a descent. If you are stuck behind said rider on a ride, give him/he some pointers at the end ie get out of the saddle, brake before the corner, look out of the corner etc. And Remember to not be a box.

Stop talking sense - this is a Friday thread. Unless you are a taxi of course?

[Thor Buttox]

As do I on the downhills. Just remember that when I am going down a rocky downhill, I am going down there as fast as I CAN, and borderline at my skills limit, so I dont have much in the way of reserves to change lines willy nilly, or open beer bottles in my rear wheel, one handed while doing wheelies.

 

If I hear a faster rider come up behind me, I will always almost immediately ask. "Want to come past" if they say "Yes", then I tell them, "Cool as soon as I can I will move to the LEFT". Often though they say "nah bud you keep going, I'll pass when I can"....

 

So moral of the story is, show consideration and you will probably get a postive response.

This. Have never had anyone vloek me, but maybe that's just cos of the sighs of my thighs. Just be alert and don't be a tjop.

[NotSoBigBen]

so how many MTB races have you won then?

 

Bazinga 

[Eddy Gordo]

Overtake when the slower rider takes the chicken line, then you go full out thru the drop or jump

[MTBeer]

Heres the thing. I have done a bit of racing in my time - cars, bikes etc.

 

You worked out pretty quickly that at the sharp end of the field all the guys could hit an apex and were pretty fast and the piece of track you wanted was normally occupied by someone as good as you. So to get around him you had to be creative. And sometime that meant using pieces of track that weren't considered track - kerbs etc. 

 

Its not like you were doing something that others couldn't.

 

You learned to be able to race off line and change your lines mid corner or pressure a guy in to a mistake.

 

That sir is racing.

 

Even buzzing hubs does the same - pressure and knowledge - its an accepted technique. Just like saying - I will be overtaking you next corner on your RHS sir so expect me to be there. Works a charm.

 

So dont think i am trying to be a knob and blocking or insisting i get track.

 

But you dont win races by sitting line astern in a race.

 

And you have to be able to overtake to win. Its a skill - maybe you should try and learn it. 

 

BTW - hit plenty warthog holes and had Flying W's and through thorn bushes in my time trying to get a piece of track from a guy - and i take full credit for my actions and have also recovered from a big hole and pedalled in to the distance. Warthog holes are not as scary as you think

please don't do this if you ever ride in Cape Town. We like our trails the way they were made - no short-cut lines across the corners.

[Paul Ruinaard]

Of course you can overtake on singletrack.

You scope a safe line, tell the person you are going past on the left/right, commit to said line and send it. Remember to not be a box.

 

Sometimes people are slowing singletrack, and obnoxious as well, then usually I send the shortcut line between switchbacks. No use arguing with stubborn people, just drop them properly when you get ahead. Remember to not be a box.

 

Oh, and if it is just a ride, stop and give a slower guy some space or a descent. If you are stuck behind said rider on a ride, give him/he some pointers at the end ie get out of the saddle, brake before the corner, look out of the corner etc. And Remember to not be a box.

This is what I mean.

 

What the man said.

[Hairy]

So it's Friday and I might as well vent this cause it drives me nuts.

 

I am not the most talented or fastest rider out there - fat and old - go uphill slowly but I have some skills when I go downhill. So its pretty frustrating when I get blocked on tight single track when I am clearly a lot faster than what the rider in front of me is. As a result i spend a lot of time planning and executing overtaking moves often with some pretty hairy results. And herein lies the rub on many fronts:

 

1.) People who don't like being overtaken and try to block you or swear at you when you overtake them? Huh  Okay it may seem a bit hairy to you but i am always in control. So wind your neck in. No need to swear at the guy cause he is faster than you.

 

2.) People who are faster than me and want to get in front of me on single track, who on a leisurely ride out at Northern Farm or the Spruit, think that screaming "Track " will clear the path. Sorry bud I can't see you and I am not going off line until its safe and in any case if you are so fast and expert then work out where you can overtake.

 

3.) Overtaking is a skill - you have to work out where you are better or faster - on the brakes into a corner or on the next little climb etc. Its something that needs to be developed if you want to race. In XCO Racing when someone behind Kulhavy shouts "Track" he doesn't just yield. You have to work out a way through - it takes time, technique and skill and can only be developed in racing. Sometimes you will cock it up - look at the best racers in the world and you will see it's not easy. But once you can do it - you know you don't have to wait for the guy in front to clear out. Pick your spot - warn them on which side and execute. Simple as that. If you do screw it up it will lead to much hilarity on the part of the passee and possibly brown trousers on your behalf but you will learn.

 

It seems we have become a tribe of riders rather than racers and we are so PC and correct that we think overtaking is impolite and rude? And I don't mean block passing like you may see in MX or 4x Downhill (although if you can do it - what a way to nuke your opponent).

 

You want my piece of single track - you are going to have to win it from me in a race. And in a ride I will willingly let you in but not on your agenda - on mine when it's safe for me - not when you shout "track" from 20 meters away cause you are on a Strava segment.

 

Rant off - flame suit on

hey, don't brake in the corners!!!!!!!!!!

 

real skill - going into the corner and not needing to brake and then coming out faster on the other side!!!!

[Eldron]

Shouting TRACK is for amateurs - I just out brake and block pass into corners.

 

Even that is me being nice - normally I just muscle my way through and if they don't immediately jump into the veld I give their bar a little nudge on the way past. Clears up the track nicely.

 

If I'm in a good mood I'll skip on the bar nudge and just flick them with my back wheel as I wheelie past - that way their risk of crashing drops to 50/50 and I feel like I've done my bit to improve race snake/hacker relations.

 

All of the above is theoretical anyway cos I'm always first.

 

Where do I collect my "ekke is cooler as jy" badge? I mean this has to be the least passive aggressive I'm farking awesome but don't really want to say as much just pretend I'm cool and fast and have the need and skills to pass people at will post on this useless thread....