Passing with a "On your Left" Call (Page 3)

When I'm riding on the trail I always call out.  If it's a family with kids I slow down and usually say something like, I'm passing you now.  With kids you never know what they're going to do.  I'd rather be going slower when they veer sideways for no apparent reason.

Also, this happened just this weekend.  Called out "on your left" as I was about to pass a GUY on the trail.  He immediately sped up and I had to back off as riders were approaching from the opposite direction.  I eventually did pass him, quietly.

As a rider with poor balance who is a habital weaver despite my continued efforts, please announce yourself unless you want to risk a crash.  I've been known to weave left suddenly going for my water bottle, race or not.  If I know someone's there, I'll wait on the water.

bryancd - 2009-06-29 11:45 AM

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!

Agree 100%!  As far as hard efforts/time trials...I would never do that sort of riding on a multi-use trail!  If there is a chance of me hitting a small child or elderly person I slow way down.  Yea, it's inconvenient but I'd much rather lose my momentum then ever hit a person while I was on the bike.  There was a time when I would pass on the left unannounced if I felt it was safe. that is until on a bike path when there was plenty of room to pass a lady on roller blades (I really wasn't very close) and I passed far to the left unannounced.  I didn't hit her but after passing I heard a scream and a crash.  I stopped and she was ok but several years later I still feel like a jerk for not announcing that I was passing on the left.

eta "unannounced"

Actually, I meant that mostly seriously. I honestly am not biking hard enough that I have to choose between breathe and talk.  I'm an "ok" biker, better than most but in no way winning anything.  I couldn't imagine finishing a tri if I went that hard on the bike, the run is hard as it is, but if that's what folks are doing maybe I should be considering this.    The joke was more to do with the bell and an attempt at lightheartedness.

I will admit that the last time I was at 5000+ feet I felt sick, so I can't really compare my experiences to yours.  That would suck!