Done being polite on the trail, or, fuck you asshole mountain bikers.

The BBQ Pit
1

I trail run. Every trail I run is multi-use, but really most traffic is mountain bikers.

There is a right-of-way rule for trails: People on foot yield to horses. Bikers yield to hikers and horses. All things being equal, downhill traffic yields to uphill.

I knew the rules when I first started trail running, but I was shocked at the number of asshole cyclists who would come barreling at you with no obvious intention of stopping or yielding. You wouldn’t believe the number of shitty looks I’ve gotten from bikers because I was on the THEIR trail in THEIR way.

So, out of self-preservation and courtesy, I just decided hell with it, I’ll step out of the way. No biggie. In fact, sometimes the cyclist will actually be appreciative and shoot me a ‘Thanks man, have a good run’.

Well, fuck all that. My fucking trail, bitches. Last night I had a prick coming at me and I sidestepped to make room, and felt something in my foot complain. It didn’t bother me much, but when I got up this morning and set my feet on the floor, holyshithello something is wrong.

And my run last night was my last hard run before a 10k on the 3rd that I really wanted to own. Hopefully I’ll be able to rest up enough to do it, since I have a friend I haven’t seen for like 15 years coming to town to run it as well.

So, fuck you, asshole mountain bikers. You stop your fucking bike and let me by. If I have to get a fucking shirt with the right-of-way diagram on it to wear while I run, so be it.

This rant does not apply to the two bikers who struck up a conversation with me in the parking lot after my run, and gave me a beer. Those guys were totally cool.

2

So…you’re blaming the bikers for making you step to one side and injure your foot?

I’m not seeing cause and effect here. If they had knocked you down or something, that would make sense, but it sounds like your injury could have happened anytime.

What am I missing here? Or are you just looking for a reason to assert yourself on your jog?

3

In order to eliminate conflict initially I chose to move for bikes.

In the process of moving for a bike yesterday, I injured myself. Could have happened at any time, but didn’t. Plenty of times I’ve stepped on rock wrong or something and thought ‘Shit, that’ll hurt for a while.’ My fault, I can deal with it.

Plus, it’s the Pit. It’s a rant. Foam is flying from my lips and splattering on the keyboard as I rave. It doesn’t have to make perfect sense.

4

True, but pittings go much better if they do.

I have a MB. I like to ride. I give the right of way. However, 95 % of the time I’m on foot on the trails. There are the occasional assholes who barrel by with no regard but most bikers I encounter usually have a look of ‘I’ll give you the option’. While you have the right of way, it doesn’t really make sense to make them stop, move off the trail and let you pass before resuming.

Despite having the ROW I’ll just step off of the trail for a second. YMMV.

5

Bikes are supposed to yield to foot traffic? That makes no sense. The slower entity should be the one to yield, and those on foot have better maneuverability than those on wheels.

Sorry about your foot - that sucks :confused:

6

When I’m feeling good and trucking along, whether on a trail or in town, it sucks to have to stop and wait for a bike, auto traffic, or a stop light. So in that it messes up the groove that I have going, it doesn’t matter if it makes sense or not.

[QUOTE=PlainJain;14806168 YMMV.[/QUOTE]

It does, actually! If I’m feeling really motivated I’ll go farther :cool:

I don’t know why that’s the way it is, but it is! If it were the other way around, I wouldn’t be here bitching.

Having second thoughts about the guys who gave me the beer, though…it was Coors Light.

7

When I’ve done trail running, it hasn’t been where bikes are allowed. When I ride my mountain bike, every now and then I see hikers and I’ll yield to them.

I’ll place my rant from a few nights ago when I was running: in the city, on a sidewalk, if you’re walking your dog, keep it on a short fucking leash. The dog shouldn’t be 15’ ahead and on the grass to the left of the sidewalk if the walker is on the right.

I was coming from the west, and the walker was coming from the east, both of us on the right of the sidewalk. The leash was completely across the sidewalk, and the dumb pet owner didn’t have the courtesy to shorten the leash and get the dog closer to her, forcing me to run 10’ into someone’s yard. Big deal? No, but still annoying. Though not as annoying as when this happens and the dumb fuck owner is on the cellphone and even more oblivious to the surroundings. Next time, the pet owner gets a snot rocket attack.

8

I’d get a tee shirt that says;

‘Yield to Pedestrian’, with a yield sign on it!

or,

Scream and freeze like a deer in the headlights, that’d slow them down!

9

Where is Asshole Mountain, anyway?

10

I was pleasantly surprised to note on an urban trail last weekend a sign that said something like ‘Dogs on leash less than 6 feet’ or something along those lines.

The screaming would go a long ways toward negating any attempt at ‘asserting myself’

Same range as Brokeback?

11

Don’t go there.

12

I’m happy to yield to pedestrians when I’m on a bike where I’m supposed to. What I’d like as well is when there’s designated paths for pedestrians and a separate one for bikers, is for pedestrians to stick to theirs, so I don’t have to dodge them when they’re where they’re not supposed to be.

People are inconsiderate jerks in general, is what I’m saying.

13

Probably wouldn’t. It’s too far away, and I hear the riders there are dicks too.

14

Totally. Likewise, grr stroller moms walking 4 abreast taking up the whole path. Though this happens less frequently on mountain bike trails :slight_smile:

15

Erm…think about that for a sec. You reckon that, when a fast moving object is coming up to a slow moving object, the slow moving object is responsible for preventing a crash?

I mountain bike a lot, and most of the trails here are mixed used. If you don’t stop for a pedestrian, you’re a twat. Most of the time the walker will stop as well, step to one side if it’s safe, and ask/wave you to come through. That’s quicker for both parties than them having to walk past. But that’s their call, and they should never feel compelled to get out the way.

OP, I’m sorry so many of the bikers round your way are chumps. Sucky behaviour.

16

Cars have to yield to pedestrians, too.

17

IIRC cars are supposed to yield to pedestrians and bicycles.

18

I will probably not push the issue with an automobile.

19

I am also adding a few, since I am feeling snippy:

-People that run six abreast and take walk breaks every ten minutes. I have no issue if you want to take a break, but nothing sucks like nearly running over someone because the wall of people just slammed on the brakes - also, if you are alone and need a walk, look over your shoulder to see if there is anyone back there and move to the side

-Also people that run and spit without looking first, especially to the left. That is normally the side of passing, don’t spit on me and I won’t kick you as I run by.

-Lastly, people that run multi-use trail and have their music so loud, they can’t hear you warning them, “On your left!” I run with music too, but you can still be aware.

20

FWIW, I always step off the trail to let bikers go by. I’m much more maneuverable than they are. For me, it’s just a step one way; for them, it’s a bit more involved.

My only request is that they let me know they’re coming! I can’t always hear them, especially when they’re riding up behind me. Ring a bell, or just shout, “Coming through!”

I’ve never had any problems with bikers other than that. I step to one side, they ride by, and usually wave and say thanks. Easy as cake.