Spruit Incident Saturday

[TiBones]

TitusTi, I am in no way doubting you,nor disagreeing with you. I would, however, like to know,(in all seriousness), where do I get a copy of these "rules" 

[Moab]

If you're descending and meet a guy climbing and there is no way to go; past then you yield' date=' learn the rules, try not to be a ponce.[/quote']

 

Or you bunny hop over them

[MintSauce]

 

And why the f*ck must downhillers always yield.  If there is enough space' date=' just smile and wave.  On the contrary, there is a perception in SA the uphill has right of way.  Piss right off...

 

I have often passed people when going downhill and they have their heads up their poepols and do not pay attention, and then it's the descending guys fault when they get a fright.

 

Learn how to ride and get out of the way.

 

I will however slow down for walkers and especially for dog walkers, and will usually give a cheery greeting and a big grin. 

[/quote']

 

 

I'm assuming that if you're as arrogant an idiot and lacking in manners on the bike as you are here then you probably weren't very accomodating or communicative on the trail, hence the reason the 'poephols' probably didn't see you or hear you coming.

 

It's simple really....as stated before, it's much easier to get going on a downhill than it is going up a hill, hence common sense and etiquette(look it up in the dictionary) dictates that the rider who will suffer the least amount of discomfort moves aside.

 

No written rules required....simple common sense

 

 

 

[Orvor]

Ok I've calmed down and edited my original post.Orvor2009-06-08 04:20:18

[Hog_]

 

If there is enough space' date=' just smile and wave. [/quote']

 

 

While I make sure not to run anyone over when I'm coming down the hill, if there's enough space for 2 bikes to pass each other, please move over a bit. I'm not this super fit bionic-legs XC robot. I enjoy the downhills. I go fast on the downhills. It grates me when I need to slam on the brakes to avoid someone coming up the hill who is looking at his front tyre, swerving left and right with each pedal stroke, and then still have him shout at me for coming past too close.

 

 

 

[Sammajoor]

 

If there is enough space' date=' just smile and wave. [/quote']

 

 

While I make sure not to run anyone over when I'm coming down the hill, if there's enough space for 2 bikes to pass each other, please move over a bit. I'm not this super fit bionic-legs XC robot. I enjoy the downhills. I go fast on the downhills. It grates me when I need to slam on the brakes to avoid someone coming up the hill who is looking at his front tyre, swerving left and right with each pedal stroke, and then still have him shout at me for coming past too close.

 

 

 

If you think passing him from the front is a problem, try being stuck BEHIND him messes your rhythm badly

 

[Slowbee]

 

If there is enough space' date=' just smile and wave. [/quote']

 

 

While I make sure not to run anyone over when I'm coming down the hill, if there's enough space for 2 bikes to pass each other, please move over a bit. I'm not this super fit bionic-legs XC robot. I enjoy the downhills. I go fast on the downhills. It grates me when I need to slam on the brakes to avoid someone coming up the hill who is looking at his front tyre, swerving left and right with each pedal stroke, and then still have him shout at me for coming past too close.

 

 

 

Hey thats unfair - its called ostrich cycling. The hill is only as long as your front wheel. You make it longer by going from side to side.

 

When the heart rate is at 120%, and the are more revolutions per pedal and wheel turn - its hard to be worrying about someone comming downhill. Although I do feel sorry for the blokes that have to come down past me. I just apologise and thank them for understanding my self inflicted near death experiences.

 

[Slowbee]

 

If there is enough space' date=' just smile and wave. [/quote']

 

 

While I make sure not to run anyone over when I'm coming down the hill, if there's enough space for 2 bikes to pass each other, please move over a bit. I'm not this super fit bionic-legs XC robot. I enjoy the downhills. I go fast on the downhills. It grates me when I need to slam on the brakes to avoid someone coming up the hill who is looking at his front tyre, swerving left and right with each pedal stroke, and then still have him shout at me for coming past too close.

 

 

 

If you think passing him from the front is a problem, try being stuck BEHIND him messes your rhythm badly

 

if you so good then you should be able to overtake .... and person going slow should be able to move to one side.

 

[BaldBatman]

Ok guys, so it is clear that some ground rules/etiquette needs to be posted somewhere.

 

 

 

I agree with MintSauce that most of the rules comes down to common sense or even common courteously.

 

 

 

It is clear that some of the Bloggers in this post has neither but I suppose all that downhill speed has cut of oxygen to some special part of their brains.

 

 

 

Is it possible to start a new tread under General that covers basic etiquette like calling forward, indicating that your taking a drink, notifying other riders in a group of a pedestrian and the disputed ascent/descent rule?

 

The Moderator can update/edit these rules at one place every know and again.

 

BaldBatman2009-02-25 02:18:18

[jmaccelari]

 

ou are correct, the rider going downhill is supposed to yield. The

"Bible" of good manners for mountain biking is the IMBA

Rules of the Trail:

http://www.imba.com/about/trail_rules.html

 

4. Yield to Others

 

Do your utmost to let your fellow trail users know you're coming -- a

friendly greeting or bell ring are good methods. Try to anticipate other trail

users as you ride around corners. Bicyclists should yield to all other trail

users, unless the trail is clearly signed for bike-only travel. Bicyclists

traveling downhill should yield to ones headed uphill, unless the trail is

clearly signed for one-way or downhill-only traffic. Strive to make each pass a

safe and courteous one.

Why should the person going downhill yield? For two reasons:

- it's easier to get going again;

- the person is normally going faster and has more control (as

  long as they slow down for a safe pass).

 

Why don't people adhere to this rule? For two reasons:

- they are ignorant;

- they are typical arrogant cyclists who deserve to be mowed down

  by MXers or quads...

 

This does not mean the person going uphill should hog the trail...

jmaccelari2009-02-25 02:27:40

[markStockton]

 

 

If you're descending and meet a guy climbing and there is no way to go; past then you yield' date=' learn the rules, try not to be a ponce.[/quote']

 

It was Delta park, you can safely deviate +- 100m off the path and still ride!!!  If it was the deep rutted single track at the bottom of Northern Farm, I would have a different opinion.

markStockton2009-02-25 02:40:39

[Hog_]

 

If you think passing him from the front is a problem' date=' try being stuck BEHIND him messes your rhythm badly

[/quote']

 

Never had that problem, cause I never passed anyone on an uphill.

 

 

 

[Daft Vader]

I'm assuming that if you're as arrogant an idiot and lacking in manners on the bike as you are here then you probably weren't very accomodating or communicative on the trail' date=' hence the reason the 'poephols' probably didn't see you or hear you coming.

It's simple really....as stated before, it's much easier to get going on a downhill than it is going up a hill, hence common sense and etiquette(look it up in the dictionary) dictates that the rider who will suffer the least amount of discomfort moves aside.

No written rules required....simple common sense


[/quote']

 

There's a saying about assumption being a mother, or something like that.  Common sense applies to people going uphill as well...  This is where the problem comes in.  That section in Delta Park is wide enough for 3 people to ride down next to each other.  (we have done it.)  Any rider with half a modicum of skill can pin it down there safely and pass people without impeding the progress of a climber.  There is however a view that if you are going down, you MUST yield to a climber, whether or not there is enough space for 2 of you.

 

It has nothing to do with arrogance.  It has everything to do with knowing what's going on around you. 

 

(and I didn't have to hurl a single personal insult at you either.)

 

 

[Slowbee]

ok so lets say you on single track, which is steep for joe(jo) soap new to mtbing. Steam out the ears, front wheel all over the place. Riding lowest chain catcher, knowing that if they stop, it means pushing the bike the rest of the way cause all momentum is lost.

 

Now, blokes come bombing downhill. What now ?

 

Or heaven forbid, the soon to be new XC champion comes up from behind, screaming move left move left, what now ? You battling your little lungs out, knowing you are not in a straight line, trying your hardest to beat this little uphill and if you stop its walk.

 

[MintSauce]

 

Common sense applies to people going uphill as well...  This is where the problem comes in.  That section in Delta Park is wide enough for 3 people to ride down next to each other.  (we have done it.)  Any rider with half a modicum of skill can pin it down there safely and pass people without impeding the progress of a climber.

If your rant was aimed at this area in Delta Park then try be more specific. In that regard you are correct....that makes sense. However' date=' I think the general direction the discussion has taken is in regards to single track trails where someone's got to give.

 

 

There is however a view that if you are going down, you MUST

yield to a climber, whether or not there is enough space for 2 of you.

 

Noone stated or implied it on this thread....what was it you said about assumption?

 

 

 

(and I didn't have to hurl a single personal insult at you either.)

 

Congratulations....now if you'd applied that method to your first rant we'd have gotten along much better right from the start. No point in trying to be self-righteous now buddy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Joe Low]

Could change thread title to:

 

Fast youngster upsets middle-aged has-been

 

Hardly an "incident".

 

Not like what the police would need an "incident room" for.

 

or title could be:

 

Youngster acts like youngster, report claims

 

Old man claims "but he didn't stop or listen to me" before being led tearfully away by relatives, vowing to write to the local paper.

 

 

Just an idea.