# Done being polite on the trail, or, fuck you asshole mountain bikers. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 24, 2012, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/done-being-polite-on-the-trail-or-fuck-you-asshole-mountain-bikers/613843 "2012-02-24T15:01:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2012, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/done-being-polite-on-the-trail-or-fuck-you-asshole-mountain-bikers/613843/21 "2012-02-24T21:47:28Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > Easy as cake. Pie, dammit, pie. You think making cakes is easy. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2012, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/done-being-polite-on-the-trail-or-fuck-you-asshole-mountain-bikers/613843/22 "2012-02-24T21:49:33Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > 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. I probably would have been fine if I had _stepped._ Where I fucked up was, I kept running and hit a rock wrong because I was moving somewhat sideways. There have been plenty of times I’ve been slogging up a hill and actually been glad for the excuse to stop and step aside to let bikes by! But I was busy kicking ass yesterday, so. Frustrated because I don’t like being hurt! ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2012, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/done-being-polite-on-the-trail-or-fuck-you-asshole-mountain-bikers/613843/23 "2012-02-24T22:07:19Z")
I’ll make you a deal. You don’t yell at the mountain bikers that don’t yield to you on the mixed use trail, and I won’t yell at the pedestrians that walk 4 abreast on the bike only path **when there is a fucking pedestrian path 10 feet away** Deal? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2012, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/done-being-polite-on-the-trail-or-fuck-you-asshole-mountain-bikers/613843/24 "2012-02-24T22:35:03Z")
> [@Poysyn](#): > > 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. How about people who stop to chat on the phone, then when they see you approaching, jump back on the trail so they’re just a few steps in front of you? Still talking on the phone, of course. I run and mountain bike. When running, stay to the right. It only makes sense. When riding, yield to pedestrians. I usually try to yell out “on your left/right” as appropriate. Unfortunately, many people will move in the direction you call out, which defeats the purpose… ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/done-being-polite-on-the-trail-or-fuck-you-asshole-mountain-bikers/613843/25 "2012-02-25T01:32:32Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > 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!” And if you’re riding a bike and coming up behind someone on horseback, please please PLEASE call out when you’re still a good distance/several seconds away so the rider can ready the horse for a large fast object to come whizzing out of its blind spot. The life you save may be your own. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/done-being-polite-on-the-trail-or-fuck-you-asshole-mountain-bikers/613843/26 "2012-02-25T02:00:13Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > I usually try to yell out “on your left/right” as appropriate. Unfortunately, many people will move in the direction you call out, which defeats the purpose… I wonder if you called out “passing!” if they would instinctively move to their right. Unless they were English tourists, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/done-being-polite-on-the-trail-or-fuck-you-asshole-mountain-bikers/613843/27 "2012-02-25T02:12:50Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > I wonder if you called out “passing!” if they would instinctively move to their right. Unless they were English tourists, of course. I’ve got a bell on my bike. I believe it bypasses the higher-order processing and language centers of the brain while still carrying the message that something is coming. And the higher pitch seems to cut through the background noise a bit. There are still plenty of bipedal speed-bumps out there, but this works the best of anything I’ve tried. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/done-being-polite-on-the-trail-or-fuck-you-asshole-mountain-bikers/613843/28 "2012-02-25T03:33:05Z")
> [@Rick](#): > > I’ll make you a deal. > You don’t yell at the mountain bikers that don’t yield to you on the mixed use trail, and I won’t yell at the pedestrians that walk 4 abreast on the bike only path **when there is a fucking pedestrian path 10 feet away** > Deal? 😉 Hell, I’d yell at those idiots, too! > [@John\_Mace](#): > > How about people who stop to chat on the phone, then when they see you approaching, jump back on the trail so they’re just a few steps in front of you? Still talking on the phone, of course. > > I run and mountain bike. When running, stay to the right. It only makes sense. When riding, yield to pedestrians. I usually try to yell out “on your left/right” as appropriate. Unfortunately, many people will move in the direction you call out, which defeats the purpose… Can’t say to the right on a single-track trail 🙂 On a wider trail, it is always nice when riders will let me know they’re coming up. If they do I always look back and wave so that they know I’m aware of them. > [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > I’ve got a bell on my bike. I believe it bypasses the higher-order processing and language centers of the brain while still carrying the message that something is coming. And the higher pitch seems to cut through the background noise a bit. > > There are still plenty of bipedal speed-bumps out there, but this works the best of anything I’ve tried. Bell sometimes is worse…One time I was lost in my ‘meditation’, and heard a metallic sound. Wth? Looked down to see if I had kicked an old can or something. Nope. Hm. Heard it again. What IS that? No idea. How strange. Then the voice from behind ‘Hey, passya man??’. Did kinda feel like an idiot then. Edit: Goddamn runners. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/done-being-polite-on-the-trail-or-fuck-you-asshole-mountain-bikers/613843/29 "2012-02-25T03:53:18Z")
I always find that if I yell “No brakes! No brakes!” in a shrill and panicked voice, people politely get out of my bike path. It also works when walking. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/done-being-polite-on-the-trail-or-fuck-you-asshole-mountain-bikers/613843/30 "2012-02-25T05:06:41Z")
> [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > Bell sometimes is worse…One time I was lost in my ‘meditation’, and heard a metallic sound. Wth? Looked down to see if I had kicked an old can or something. Nope. Hm. Heard it again. What IS that? No idea. How strange. Then the voice from behind ‘Hey, passya man??’. Did kinda feel like an idiot then. Well, then, don’t get lost in your meditation. I was doing my riding on paved, mixed-use trails to downtown Boston and back. I wasn’t on the street, but close enough that there was still traffic noise; and there were lots of people walking together and chatting. The bell just seemed like the best noise to stand out in that environment. I had to deal with people walking six abreast, cutting in front of me, or playing their earbuds so loud they couldn’t hear me until I was practically next to them. One guy had his dog leash stretched all the way across the eight-foot-wide path and didn’t notice until I came to a full stop. A couple times a month there would be people standing on the path taking their wedding pictures. I’ll make them a deal; I won’t ride through their church, they don’t pose for pictures on the fucking bike path. I just moved to a new apartment, near a different bike path. I hope the people here are a little more observant. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Devil_s_Grandmother)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/done-being-polite-on-the-trail-or-fuck-you-asshole-mountain-bikers/613843/31 "2012-02-25T05:20:25Z")
> [@saje](#): > > 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. Traditionally, the smaller object-in-motion has right of way. I think it has something to do with boats. Horses get right of way because their brains are so tiny compared to their bulk. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/done-being-polite-on-the-trail-or-fuck-you-asshole-mountain-bikers/613843/32 "2012-02-25T05:34:27Z")
Oh, yeah? A horse can take a dump while walking. Can you? ---
**Author:** ![Harborwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Harborwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harborwolf)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/done-being-polite-on-the-trail-or-fuck-you-asshole-mountain-bikers/613843/33 "2012-02-25T11:03:11Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Oh, yeah? A horse can take a dump while walking. Can you? Never tried but I imagine I could manage it. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/done-being-polite-on-the-trail-or-fuck-you-asshole-mountain-bikers/613843/34 "2012-02-25T11:41:21Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Oh, yeah? A horse can take a dump while walking. Can you? Hold on… Let me just- Yes. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/done-being-polite-on-the-trail-or-fuck-you-asshole-mountain-bikers/613843/35 "2012-02-25T13:57:56Z")
That brings up a point I was pondering on a mixed use trail last week. Dog owners are required by law to pick up their dog’s shit. Why are horse back riders allowed to let their animal leave steaming piles in the middle of the trail? Seems like should have to pick theirs up also. This was not a fire road in the mountains, this was a paved mixed use trail in the middle of Orange County California. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/done-being-polite-on-the-trail-or-fuck-you-asshole-mountain-bikers/613843/36 "2012-02-25T14:21:33Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Where is Asshole Mountain, anyway? Squaw Valley, CA. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/done-being-polite-on-the-trail-or-fuck-you-asshole-mountain-bikers/613843/37 "2012-02-25T14:31:29Z")
> [@Rick](#): > > That brings up a point I was pondering on a mixed use trail last week. > Dog owners are required by law to pick up their dog’s shit. Why are horse back riders allowed to let their animal leave steaming piles in the middle of the trail? Seems like should have to pick theirs up also. > This was not a fire road in the mountains, this was a paved mixed use trail in the middle of Orange County California. Seems impractical for the rider as often as horses shit and with the rider having to dismount that often (and where to put all that poop…saddlebags?). Perhaps the state should enact a law where a horseback rider using mixed-use, paved trails has to hire a “poop boy” to follow along and clean up. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/done-being-polite-on-the-trail-or-fuck-you-asshole-mountain-bikers/613843/38 "2012-02-25T14:31:50Z")
Squelch. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/done-being-polite-on-the-trail-or-fuck-you-asshole-mountain-bikers/613843/39 "2012-02-25T16:46:32Z")
> [@jjimm](#): > > Hold on… Let me just- > > Yes. ☹ Pics, or it didn’t happen. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/done-being-polite-on-the-trail-or-fuck-you-asshole-mountain-bikers/613843/40 "2012-02-25T19:05:35Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Seems impractical for the rider as often as horses shit and with the rider having to dismount that often (and where to put all that poop…saddlebags?). Perhaps the state should enact a law where a horseback rider using mixed-use, paved trails has to hire a “poop boy” to follow along and clean up. Sucks to be them. Here I am flying along at 19-20 mph on my road bike come around the corner and find a huge pile of horse shit right in my line. Thanks asshole. And if the horse back riders hired the pooper scooper, I would have no issue, but the city should not be paying to clean up after a citizen’s pet. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/done-being-polite-on-the-trail-or-fuck-you-asshole-mountain-bikers/613843.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/done-being-polite-on-the-trail-or-fuck-you-asshole-mountain-bikers/613843.md?page=3)