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Passing with a "On your Left" Call (Page 2)
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 2009-06-29 12:29 PM in reply to: #2250443 |
Champion  9060    Charlottesville, Virginia |  Subject: RE: Passing with a "On your Left" CallWanted to add I do it for my own safety in races, mainly when passing people going much slower than I am. Also in races like I had this weekend where there were so many out on the course I had to yell it so others didn't swing around to pass someone else while I was passing them. |
| 2009-06-29 12:32 PM in reply to: #2250443 |
| Austin, Texas or Jupiter, Florida | Subject: RE: Passing with a "On your Left" Call KeriKadi - 2009-06-29 1:27 PM My firt tri was all women and all the women that passed me said 'on your left' or something else - 'passing' or words of encouragement. My second tri was yesterday, a co-ed race and I was disappointed that maybe 10% of the men said something - two guys passed VERY close to me. 90% of the women said something. I was passed a lot so there was plenty of opportunity to hear what people were/were not saying. Not sure why the guys weren't saying anything but I found it somewhat rude. You make a very good point^^. In a race, I almost always give a word of encouragement to anyone I pass on the run. "Hoorah" "Yut" "Er" (marine grunting noises) all work because you use the air that's going out. Or for people I know, I'll usually give a longer yell of encouragement. "Lookin Good" works well except for other dudes. "Don't Stop" or "Don't Quit" are horrible things to say so I stick to positives, like "Let's go, come-on. I'll pick you up now, you'll pick me up later." Just my $.03. |
| 2009-06-29 12:33 PM in reply to: #2250443 |
Master 1651   Breckenridge, CO | Subject: RE: Passing with a "On your Left" Call KeriKadi - 2009-06-29 11:27 AM Not sure why the guys weren't saying anything but I found it somewhat rude. IMO, FOP bike riders are generally tired during the ride. Since I live in an O2-less environment even saying a single word can get my breathing completely out-of-whack here when I'm riding at a hard effort. While racing, fast riders are trying to win a timed race, not a polite contest. IMO, as a bike rider in a race we are all obligated to know enough about cycling to hold a straight line and to look before coming off that line. Therefore in a race, announcing passes shouldn't be necessary at all. |
| 2009-06-29 12:35 PM in reply to: #2250210 |
Master 1678 Olney, MD | Subject: RE: Passing with a "On your Left" Call I get passed a lot on the bike and I'm suprised to hear that others think that saying "on your left" spooks slower cyclists. I stay to the right, hold my line, and appreciate when people that pass me say "on your left." I only get spooked when I can't hear the person come up behind me and they whiz past me. Edited by vball03umd 2009-06-29 12:37 PM |
| 2009-06-29 12:35 PM in reply to: #2250383 |
Expert 1123 Falls Church, VA | Subject: RE: Passing with a "On your Left" Call JohnnyKay - 2009-06-29 1:12 PM bryancd - 2009-06-29 1:04 PM JohnnyKay - 2009-06-29 11:35 AM This seems to be coming up a lot lately. Yes, but the problem is that they often don't abide by those rules and I find people tend to do what you least expect at the worst times, so I would say a "On your left", loud enought o be heard and acknowledged, no need to shout, is the best way to proceed. I also thank people as I pass.Frankly, shouting out "on your left" is just as likely to spook/scare a person as just riding by them. As long as the pass is going to be quick, I have enough room and have no reason to expect them to try to jump out left, I do the latter. In a race, people should expect to be passing/getting passed all the time and the rules are set up (e.g., riding to the right) so that cyclists are supposed to be riding to allow this to happen without people needing to shout warnings constantly. I agree to an extent, but am with breck above in that "on your left" calls sometimes encourage the unexpected movements you're hoping to avoid. In a quick pass, there is rarely any time for the rider ahead to make enough movement to cause any problems so long as I have plenty of passing space around them. When I do feel the need to announce a pass with an "on your left" or "ride right", like you, I try to thank them as I go by. yeah.. i usually try to announce far enough in advance, but there are still people who get in the left when you try to tell someone "I'm passing on your left". Also, I have been spooked by fast/quiet riders saying "on yoru left" when they're right on top of me, and I'm usually running with a dog too so that makes it worse as she can get spooked easily too. |
| 2009-06-29 12:37 PM in reply to: #2250477 |
Expert 1170 Southern Pines, NC | Subject: RE: Passing with a "On your Left" Call vball03umd - 2009-06-29 1:35 PM I get passed a lot on the bike and I'm suprised to hear that others think that saying "on your left" spooks us slower cyclists. I stay to the right, hold my line, and appreciate when people that pass me say "on your left." I only get spooked when I can't hear the person come up behind me and they whiz past me. But you're clearly a good cyclist, then... It's the squirrels you need to worry about. Of course, one could always just get a disc... that's like a continuous "on your left" sound that requires no additional effort from the rider.  |
| 2009-06-29 12:38 PM in reply to: #2250210 |
Veteran 239 Kalispell, MT | Subject: RE: Passing with a "On your Left" Call The first time I heard an On your left was last year during a multi-sport relay (10K, kayak, road bike, mtn bike, road bike again, canoe, 5k). I had the two road bike legs. I was on the second leg, all by myself, on a rented bike, struggling up a looooonng hill on the back roads, huffing and puffing and sweating and cursing, when I heard a gentle, quiet, On your left and this young chick zoomed past me effortlessly, completely dropped me on the hill like I wasn't moving. This chick was doing all 7 legs by herself, and our last guy barely held her off on the 5K, which she ran BAREFOOT because someone didnt get her running shoes to her in time after she got out of the canoe. Had to grin and shake my head, quietly called her a few choice words under my breath as I was admiring her zooming past me. I appreciated her giving me a heads up that she was back there, and about to come around. |
| 2009-06-29 12:40 PM in reply to: #2250471 |
Pro 4824 Houston | Subject: RE: Passing with a "On your Left" Call breckview - 2009-06-29 12:33 PM . IMO, FOP bike riders are generally tired during the ride. Since I live in an O2-less environment even saying a single word can get my breathing completely out-of-whack here when I'm riding at a hard effort. While racing, fast riders are trying to win a timed race, not a polite contest. IMO, as a bike rider in a race we are all obligated to know enough about cycling to hold a straight line and to look before coming off that line. Therefore in a race, announcing passes shouldn't be necessary at all.I understand what you are saying but this was a 12 mile FLAT bike ride, not a long ride and I was BOP from the beginning so the folks passing me aren't going for any kind of hardware. Many times in my ride there was nobody around me so having some dude zoom right next to me caught me off guard. I am not an experienced cyclist, this is my second race and a sprint so I would expect people to be more polite since nobody around me is a anywhere near pro. Simple courtesy is all I am asking. I made an encouraging comment to every person I passed (not a lot) but said "looking good" or "great job" or something along those lines. I don't think a simple word like "passing" is going to cost anybody a position but it will earn them some respect and a nod from their fellow racers. |
| 2009-06-29 12:40 PM in reply to: #2250210 |
| New user 16 Toledo, OH | Subject: RE: Passing with a "On your Left" Call I couldn't agree with JohnnyKay more. What I do in training and what I do in races is completely different. In training you are not expecting to get passed so I slow down and announce my pass so as not to scare someone. (btw, if you're wearing and IPOD and don't hear me and I startle you, too bad but that's another thread). In races, there are times to announce and times to get by as quickly as possible. As a bike racer that dabbles in tri's for cross training, when I'm riding at full speed and I'm coming up on someone at the tail end of the sprint who is riding at 1/2 my pace, I can't yell loud enough soon enough for the person to hear me before I'm past. If I'm going to legally draft you on the way by, I will always politely give you a heads up. It's situational safety. As with most things in life there are no absolutes. |
| 2009-06-29 12:44 PM in reply to: #2250210 |
Pro 4360 Baton Rouge area | Subject: RE: Passing with a "On your Left" Call I use "On your left" when it could be a tight fit (they are riding down the middle of the road or lane isn't wide) or if the rider isn't holding a clear line. Last race the bike portion was a closed course with two lanes each way, most slow traffic moved to the right hand lane. No way I am yelling "On your Left" when I am in a completely different lane. |
| 2009-06-29 12:45 PM in reply to: #2250471 |
Champion 9600 Fountain Hills, AZ | Subject: RE: Passing with a "On your Left" Call breckview - 2009-06-29 12:33 PM IMO, FOP bike riders are generally tired during the ride. Since I live in an O2-less environment even saying a single word can get my breathing completely out-of-whack here when I'm riding at a hard effort. While racing, fast riders are trying to win a timed race, not a polite contest. IMO, as a bike rider in a race we are all obligated to know enough about cycling to hold a straight line and to look before coming off that line. Therefore in a race, announcing passes shouldn't be necessary at all. LOL! That's funny. Well, I for one am working hard but still think caution is required in a race when passing and somehow manage to generate enough air in my lungs to announce my impending pass.  In regards to it being a race, of course everyone should be aware of the rules but the reality is between tired people, new people, people who just tend to space out, that assumption just deosn't hold up in the real world. It shouldn't be necessary, but that's often not the case it seems. Again, announcing a pass well in advance at a volume that's not excessive provides a comfortable margin of safety for both riders. Based on the responses here, it seems most of those being passed appreciate the warning. I'm sorry if you are too pooped to do it, though! LOL! Edited by bryancd 2009-06-29 12:49 PM |
| 2009-06-29 12:45 PM in reply to: #2250471 |
Champion 8766 Evergreen, Colorado | Subject: RE: Passing with a "On your Left" Call While racing, fast riders are trying to win a timed race, not a polite contest. IMO, as a bike rider in a race we are all obligated to know enough about cycling to hold a straight line and to look before coming off that line. Therefore in a race, announcing passes shouldn't be necessary at all. AMEN. |
| 2009-06-29 12:50 PM in reply to: #2250525 |
Champion 10020 , Minnesota Bronze member | Subject: RE: Passing with a "On your Left" Call Perhaps if you're working hard enough that you cannot speak (is that a good pace for the bike? I guess I know now what I am doing wrong), then you're a good candidate for the bell. Ding Ding! (bell.jpg) Attachments ---------------- bell.jpg (8KB - 0 downloads) |
| 2009-06-29 12:50 PM in reply to: #2250501 |
| Austin, Texas or Jupiter, Florida | Subject: RE: Passing with a "On your Left" Call KeriKadi - 2009-06-29 1:40 PM breckview - 2009-06-29 12:33 PM . .I understand what you are saying but this was a 12 mile FLAT bike ride, not a long ride and I was BOP from the beginning so the folks passing me aren't going for any kind of hardware. . HEY! Clydes are behind the female BOPers. Some of us can ride too. |
| 2009-06-29 12:56 PM in reply to: #2250471 |
Sneaky Slow 8694 Herndon, VA, | Subject: RE: Passing with a "On your Left" Call breckview - 2009-06-29 1:33 PM KeriKadi - 2009-06-29 11:27 AM Not sure why the guys weren't saying anything but I found it somewhat rude. IMO, FOP bike riders are generally tired during the ride.And MOP/BOPers are not??? Just because one isn't at the front of the pack, doesn't mean they're not working. |
| 2009-06-29 12:56 PM in reply to: #2250385 |
Pro 4353 Wallingford, PA | Subject: RE: Passing with a "On your Left" Call DrPete - 2009-06-29 1:12 PM A few years riding on MUPs made me realize that I'm better off passing people silently. They're far more likely to drift left looking for what's coming if you yell something. I know it's not the popular way to do things, but there it is. When riding in a setting like this, I typically slow down when approaching another rider or walker/runner, and I use more specific language than just "on your left" - usually something like "Biker passing on your left" followed by a wave and a "Thank You!" when they allow me to pass. In a race, I don't necessarily call out for every pass. If a rider looks to me like they are drifting, reaching for their water bottle, or riding too far to the left, then I'll call out. Otherwise, I don't usually say anything. |
| 2009-06-29 12:56 PM in reply to: #2250210 |
Extreme Veteran 578 Katy, Texas | Subject: RE: Passing with a "On your Left" Call "Passing on your left". Huh. I never heard of that. I alway try my best to approach a runner as quite as i can then when I get close I anounce myself with a strong authoritive "BOO!" That generally gets them right out of the way. |
| 2009-06-29 1:02 PM in reply to: #2250542 |
Pro 4824 Houston | Subject: RE: Passing with a "On your Left" Call GomesBolt - 2009-06-29 12:50 PM KeriKadi - 2009-06-29 1:40 PM breckview - 2009-06-29 12:33 PM . .I understand what you are saying but this was a 12 mile FLAT bike ride, not a long ride and I was BOP from the beginning so the folks passing me aren't going for any kind of hardware. . HEY! Clydes are behind the female BOPers. Some of us can ride too. This was not a wave race, it was a swim placement race since it was a pool swim so the clydes did not start behind me. I am not a fast swimmer, did the 300m in 7:19 so I would imagine the guys that passed me are cyclists rather than swimmers and maybe first time tri'ers. I obviously don't have a lot of experience and my first race was a super sprint so mostly first timers but I am surprised by the difference between male and female riders. |
| 2009-06-29 1:05 PM in reply to: #2250541 |
Expert 1123 Falls Church, VA | Subject: RE: Passing with a "On your Left" Call BikerGrrrl - 2009-06-29 1:50 PM Perhaps if you're working hard enough that you cannot speak (is that a good pace for the bike? I guess I know now what I am doing wrong), then you're a good candidate for the bell. Ding Ding! But then you'd be as uncool as the people with reflectors on their bike ;-) |
| 2009-06-29 1:05 PM in reply to: #2250522 |
Not a Coach 11473 Media, PA | Subject: RE: Passing with a "On your Left" Call bryancd - 2009-06-29 1:45 PM Again, announcing a pass well in advance at a volume that's not excessive provides a comfortable margin of safety for both riders. This really does sound all nice and polite in theory, but the reality is that to do that in many situations requires shouting. How long does it take to pass if you are doing high 20s and they are doing mid-high teens? What's well in advance to provide a comfortable margin of safety? What volume is required to not be excessive yet get someone's attention? I understand that some people would appreciate some warning, but it's not that simple in many race situations. They may think otherwise, but I can assure you I am (and most other riders are) concerned for our joint saftey out there. I hope they are too, although I generally try not to assume it. Also, I'm more likely to offer encouragement to other riders going uphill when our speeds are closer together than over a flat course when our speeds may be very different. And, while I'd love to encourage everyone (and thank every volunteer), the reality is that I only have so much energy to spend on that task while I'm racing. I try to do it some, but certainly don't aim to hit everyone. I would hope people don't take that personally, but I doubt I'm goping to change how I ride and race even if they do. |
| 2009-06-29 1:10 PM in reply to: #2250210 |
Extreme Veteran 657 | Subject: RE: Passing with a "On your Left" Call There was a post here recently on cattle guards. I rode across one. Up ahead of me I saw a bunch of cows lazing around the road. I didn't want to spook them so I yelled something out. The one on the other side of the road panicked and ran in front of me rather that away from me. That cow I didn't mind, it was the 3 behind her that decided to run across in a line. Gif rendering of my terrifying situation. Animated gifs don't seem to work.  Edited by NeilsWheel 2009-06-29 1:13 PM |
| 2009-06-29 1:10 PM in reply to: #2250210 |
Champion 9600 Fountain Hills, AZ | Subject: RE: Passing with a "On your Left" Call I don't know, JK, I have never had a problem communicating with other riders. I have never had one be startled and shoot into my line. I have had people not hear me after multiple calls and I do yell loudly when the rider is too far over and not staying left. I see that a lot at local races here due to the nature of the bike courses. In a bigger race with more space, it's easy to pass without saying anything as you have multiples of feet seperartion and that's cool. When it get's tight, however, I chant on your left like a monk! Everyone can do what they want, I don't think it's a big issue. I am happy to hear that people don't mind hearing a call out and aren't insulted or put off. If that's the case and if it provides me with a bit more of a margin of safety, why not? Edited by bryancd 2009-06-29 1:12 PM |
| 2009-06-29 1:14 PM in reply to: #2250443 |
Coach 10487 Boston, MA | Subject: RE: Passing with a "On your Left" Call KeriKadi - 2009-06-29 12:27 PM My firt tri was all women and all the women that passed me said 'on your left' or something else - 'passing' or words of encouragement. My second tri was yesterday, a co-ed race and I was disappointed that maybe 10% of the men said something - two guys passed VERY close to me. 90% of the women said something. I was passed a lot so there was plenty of opportunity to hear what people were/were not saying. Not sure why the guys weren't saying anything but I found it somewhat rude. Like others said; I tend to announce my passing with a: "on your left" when racing and training however some/many times when they placed my wave towards the end you then spend 56 miles or doing a short distance multiple loops race passing people and saying "on your left" it is just not practical and not even realistic. If I can make a safe pass I will just give plenty of space and do so; I am always looking around and making sure of my surroundings to be safe for myself and my fellow competitors even when I am on the far right (something you can't say for many athletes). If I pass you and didn't say: "on your left" sorry, it means there was plenty of space and it was safe for me to do so. Still you can think I am rude, I won't be offended. |
| 2009-06-29 1:15 PM in reply to: #2250629 |
Not a Coach 11473 Media, PA | Subject: RE: Passing with a "On your Left" Call bryancd - 2009-06-29 2:10 PM When it get's tight, however, I chant on your left like a monk! Agreed! It's certainly situational. But I guess I find that most passes can be done easiest and safest by just passing. And I guess my comments are partly colored by my ride yesterday--2 loop oly course w/2000 riders. In a smaller race that is more spread out and passing is less frequent, I'm probably more likely to say something--either an announcement, an encouragement, a joke,...--depending on the situation again. |
| 2009-06-29 1:18 PM in reply to: #2250210 |
| Member 23 Chicago | Subject: RE: Passing with a "On your Left" Call I ride the chicago lakefront path quite a bit both with my group and solo. If i have a clear line and they are stable i will usually not say anything as my passing will be quick....but more times than not they are not stable or holding a line or they are riding, running or walking 3 abreast and clearly impeding through traffic i will yell (very loudly) "ON YOUR LEFT!" and if approaching a large group congesting the path we yell "BIKER BACK!" (giving them a bit of time before we actually reach them yelling "on your left!" If approaching a large group coming head on that is taking up the path and not paying attention then we yell "BIKER UP!" which means pull your head out of your *ss because we are coming straight for ya. Most people that are out on the path are not seriously training and therefore most likely dont know the rules or terminology so I will actually school them as i am passing them such as "you have to move to the right" or "control your line" "give way to passing on your left" "slow traffic to the right". With my group, one of the rules of riding with us is that you CAN NOT be shy about yelling. a lot of people think we are rude because we are "yelling" but i would rather be perceived as rude then be unsafe. |
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