Etiquette for our new dysfunctional normal

[Iwantmy2dollars]

I think this is much better guidance than your first post suggesting adjustments to long understood (but still rarely followed in some places) guidance. Add common sense too. if the trail is really crowded, don't add to the problem. simple.

Not if you think about the problem of transmission. Which is the ONLY reason to change our normal ROW behavior. Standing there on narrow trails while allowing the uphill rider to slowly creep by while huffing and puffing is just the wrong way we should be doing things right now. And, with the push to get "back to normal" (which will take a long time) is going to make this issue an even greater concern as time passes and the disease creeps into every corner of the country

[jamal]

All I see you getting from giving downhill bikes right of way on a multi use, multi directional trail is making user conflicts worse.

I think a better solution is making some of the popular trails directional and possibly single use. The city made a couple of ours directional and it's been an improvement as they are easy to get to and tend to be crowded.

As far as your reduced transmission theory goes, if the uphill rider stops and moves out of the way, the downhiller is still riding through all that air where the climber just was. I can't see it being a huge difference.

[frorider]

Think thru the physics a bit more. When visual or audible cues let the two riders know they’re approaching each other, the separation is 10-20 meters say. The DH rider can scan ahead and decide where the best spot to truly pull over off the trail is, and within seconds be at that spot. Meanwhile, assuming the trail is somewhat steep, the uphill, slow rider often stops in the trail or scans ahead maybe a couple of meters for a pull off spot. They can’t get to the better pull off spot quickly enough to impact the situation.

Since most of us are hyper attuned these days to keeping these trail crossover points quick and unstressful, I think the traditional ROW remains the best approach.

More problematic is the slow uphill rider unaware of or to stubborn to let faster riders pass. This can sorta fuck over the social distancing thing.

[TBS]

For those suggesting making a trail directional, know that it’s a long arduous process on USFS land - at least in our slice of Paradise.

[mmmm...pow!]

just make all of them downhill only for all users

Fucking brilliant! Fire road climbs only. That would actually work for almost every good ride here. Spread the word.
And it doesn't seem like anyone around here is paying much mind to the covid. On the trails people are doing what they've always done. It's like we've all come to the realization that unless someone coughs right in someone else's face, no one's gonna catch the covid from going on a bike ride in the woods. Maybe we'd feel different if we were cooped up in the city.
Oh, and those silly homemade masks, bandannas, buffs, etc., none of those are doing shit.

[jono]

For those suggesting making a trail directional, know that it’s a long arduous process on USFS land - at least in our slice of Paradise.

I bet if you posted a sign showing which direction and put some finer print underneath explaining the greater solitude for all you'd find most people would follow it and the USFS would be none the wiser.

Just don't pick the obviously wrong way or try that on a "club" trail. Gotta respect their authoritah. But USFS? Now? Meh.

[TBS]

Our District Ranger is a regular user of our local MTB trails. So is the Recreation Specialist.
So you would lose your bet.

[MagnificentUnicorn]

Changing long standing trail etiquette for this will result in one thing, long standing changes in trail etiquette. After things normalize, people will forget why we changed and descending riders will expect the right of way.

If you can’t stop in time to avoid other riders on two way trails you’re an asshole.


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[Name Redacted]

Just don't ride crowded trails. But if you have to, wear a mask. It'd be sweet if Pearly Izumi or someone would develop something that worked better than current mask technology that was effective, but breathable and not miserable to wear, especially in the heat.

I like directional trails, but many trails around here are through rolling hills and not really advantageous in either direction to be considered downhill or uphill. Even on the busiest weekends though, I will not see enough people for it to really be an issue.

[Iwantmy2dollars]

Think thru the physics a bit more. When visual or audible cues let the two riders know they’re approaching each other, the separation is 10-20 meters say. The DH rider can scan ahead and decide where the best spot to truly pull over off the trail is, and within seconds be at that spot. Meanwhile, assuming the trail is somewhat steep, the uphill, slow rider often stops in the trail or scans ahead maybe a couple of meters for a pull off spot. They can’t get to the better pull off spot quickly enough to impact the situation.

Since most of us are hyper attuned these days to keeping these trail crossover points quick and unstressful, I think the traditional ROW remains the best approach.

More problematic is the slow uphill rider unaware of or to stubborn to let faster riders pass. This can sorta fuck over the social distancing thing.

The thing is, around here there are a lot of places that are too narrow to get much more than a couple feet apart when passing. Either because of thick sage or more often, narrow trails side cut into steep slopes. I've been letting the downhill rider go the last few times out and its MUCH better for everyone. I am not saying the downhill rider should be fuck-all bombing the slope thinking they can steamroll everyone. They slow at a a reasonable distance, as do I and then I tell them to ride by. It works great for our current situation. The Downhill rider can easily breath hold (if they desire) as they are mounted, and have gravity to help them get 100 feet away and resume breathing again. The uphill rider does not have that capability at all.

It would be nice if the uphill riders I encounter would offer the same consideration. Instead of insisting on huffing and puffing on by at 0.5 mph like it was their god given right to make everyone stop in close proximity for an extended time in the middle of a pandemic......just say'n

And yeah, I do worry but I also like to ride. Which is never going to be risk free be it injury, or now Covid. But thinking about how we can all minimize our exposure effectively is a reasonable goal. Nothing is guaranteed. Stacking the odds are all we can do. The current accepted rules place us all at more risk.

[grskier]

Although I know it's not really an effective Covid-19 mask, I guess I'll start wearing a neck gaiter when the local MTB trails open. At least people will feel better about seeing me wear it.

I've been wearing one on my bike path rides, and put it up on my mtb rides on the way down... way up I typically wear it down and may or may not put it up. This weekend at one of the most popular spots, I was one of the only ones wearing any sort of face coverings.

[stuckathuntermtn]

Can people just get the fuck away from me?

[Bunion 2020]

It would be nice if the uphill riders I encounter would offer the same consideration. Instead of insisting on huffing and puffing on by at 0.5 mph like it was their god given right to make everyone stop in close proximity for an extended time in the middle of a pandemic......just say'n

Now you are being an asshole. You expect people to toss away what is the established protocol and somehow by using ESP to understand where you are coming from? Single track riding is narrow everywhere not just "around here".

[Iwantmy2dollars]

Now you are being an asshole. You expect people to toss away what is the established protocol and somehow by using ESP to understand where you are coming from? Single track riding is narrow everywhere not just "around here".

I may be. But if being thoughtful, trying to protect myself, my family, passerby's and their families, our healthcare workers, etc. from catching, or having to care for infections of a highly transmissible disease is "being an "asshole"- what are people that huff and puff in your face with no qualms because they are too inflexible, too self entitled, too self absorbed, and foolishly cling to pre-pandemic rules that place everyone in harms way???

And for the record, the trails I ride in the east are totally different than the ones out west. Back east there is usually someplace that you can roll to a few feet off the trail. In the west the steeper terrain / side hilling, and vegetation makes it almost impossible in many places to more than just lean away.

[m90e85]

I may be. But if being thoughtful, trying to protect myself, my family, passerby's and their families, our healthcare workers, etc. from catching, or having to care for infections of a highly transmissible disease is "being an "asshole"- what are people that huff and puff in your face with no qualms because they are too inflexible, too self entitled, too self absorbed, and foolishly cling to pre-pandemic rules that place everyone in harms way???

And for the record, the trails I ride in the east are totally different than the ones out west. Back east there is usually someplace that you can roll to a few feet off the trail. In the west the steeper terrain / side hilling, and vegetation makes it almost impossible in many places to more than just lean away.

If you were truly trying to protect yourself, you wouldn't be out in the first place. It's pretty easy to not catch a contagious bug, stay out of contact with other people.

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[M series JONG]

If you were truly trying to protect yourself, you wouldn't be out in the first place. It's pretty easy to not catch a contagious bug, stay out of contact with other people.

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How'd you slip thru, sweetheart?
Go back & reconsider your m-series license plate name before offering further comments

yours, m series

[AK47bp]

If you were truly trying to protect yourself, you wouldn't be out in the first place. It's pretty easy to not catch a contagious bug, stay out of contact with other people.

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This ^ sums up the whole thread nicely.

Shut’er down.

Actually I don’t give a shit about any of this but a fun read.


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[gravitylover]

Between poison ivy and ticks I won't step off the trail 6 feet unless there's absolutely no other option. So far it hasn't been an issue, riders seem to be ok with passing each other quickly and quietly after making eye contact and walkers move off without being asked to. I try to stop and give everyone time to figure out the best option and I'm usually the one to stay stopped until they go past or wave me through.

Hey $2back - we need to coordinate a ride sometime soon.

[m2711c]

How'd you slip thru, sweetheart?
Go back & reconsider your m-series license plate name before offering further comments

yours, m series