Singletrack Passing Etiquette

[toasthaiku]

What are the rules (written or unwritten) for passing in a race?

Most of it seems common sense. Let fast riders by, don't crowd slower riders and communicate. Wanna make sure I'm not missing anything. Didn't find anything searching through the forums.

My first summer of racing has been a blast. Dirt Spanker and Elk River Off-Road Du were especially fun. Powder Monkey's next. I'm no threat for the podium but I'm building a nice collection of T-Shirts.

[pokey]

My opinion:
First, it depends somewhat on the situation. If you are at the tail end of a leading wave and a lead rider of a following wave catches you. You give them room as quickly as you possibly can. You are not racing them and they deserve to move through the back of the previous wave with as little impedance as possible.
I would say if a rider catches you from behind fairly quickly, and you don't know the course well enough to know there is a passing opportunity ahead, you should ask them if they want through. Sometimes it took all they could to catch you and they are content to pace off you for a bit. If they indicate they do want through then the next time you see a spot you can get two bikes side by side, you let them know as early as possible which side you want them to pass you on. Or ask them to call a side. Then it's their responsibility to make the pass happen quickly.
If a rider catches you and wants around before you ask, or if they are nearly equal speed as you, then I would say it's their responsibility to find a place to go around without disrupting your line.
I would also stress that someone walking their bike should go out of their way to clear the trail for riders still pedaling. Especially if the trail is narrow.
Especially at the lower classes, i think it's important to know your strengths and weaknesses. If you can't climb, be willing to allow better climbers to get around before the big climbs. If you aren't a technical descender, be willing to let better riders through before the nasty bits. I find riders are much more likely to let you back around when you get to your forte if you let them ride at their pace when the trail suited them. Plus, you may learn a lot by following a better rider in a section you don't do well in.

[Lezgo Cycling]

That sure sounds good to me....especially since id be the one on the hill walking becasue I am not a strong clibmer so I will always move well out of the way and then on the decents I may be going strong and it is true, MOST will let you back through. But you do have to knwo yourself, the trail, and the machine. It will make it much easier on you and others. Then we can all have fun
:banana:
Then when I come in second place I feel good




too bad there was only 2 racers

[stoneage]

Let fast riders by, don't crowd slower riders and communicate.
Let fast riders by, don't crowd slower riders and communicate.:)

[zaskar]

I would agree with Larry. What sometimes sucks is when you allow better climbers to come by you and then you run up on them in the technical, downhill type sections. Sometimes in these situations it's much harder for them to return the favor of allowing the faster rider through just because of the course itself.

Still what can you do. You may not be able to tell the overall ability of the person who wants to pass. Maybe the will pass and you won't see them again. Maybe you let them pass and then the two or three of you end up having a fun cat and mouse battle for the rest of the race.

[manual63]

In general.....I allow riders pass if they are faster. When I am passing, I let people know well in advance that I am coming up and need to pass, only if I am in a competitive situation with other racers. When I was racing and in the lead group, I would always say leaders coming. Then I would ask to pass on the most appropriate side. Usually slower riders or lapped riders moved and allowed us to pass without incident. If I am not in a top spot, I tell them that that I can pass at the next convenient spot. Sometimes I will even tell them to keep going if they start trying to move.....then tell them to wait for a better opening. The big key here.....always...and I do mean always.......say "Thank you!!". Be polite and people will enjoy the race more.

But, if it's a competitive race and the other riders who I am racing closely with are there.....I am less likely to move for them. I hate getting passed on a climb and then have them ride all slow in the singletrack or tech sections....which is usually the case with me. I am fast in the tech stuff and not as fast on climbs.....although that is changing. So sometimes I will do what I can to keep a rider behind me if I know a technical section is coming up......including letting them know I will most likely be faster than them in the tech section.....hoping they will not pass.

It sounds difficult and harsh sometimes, but it's really not. Most riders know what they are doing and know who they are competing with. Communication is the key and it's been said a couple of times here already. Don't be afraid to talk to others. Very rarely do I have issues with other riders. The times I do, it's usually someone in front of me trying to be all competitive and not wanting to let me pass. Not a good idea.....at least not with us ex-BMXers who are not afraid to be close and make a pass on the inside......a little elbow action is always fun....:)

[berrywise]

best method is to come up quickly behind the rider make multiple Brraaaaaaaap Brraaaaaaaaaaap noises, while twisting your hand on your grip. If rider does not move to the side then place your front tire on their rear tire and push rider out of the way. After passing rider make two or three more Brrraaaaaaaaaaap Braaaaaaaaaaaaap noises.

[zaskar]

best method is to come up quickly behind the rider make multiple Brraaaaaaaap Brraaaaaaaaaaap noises, while twisting your hand on your grip. If rider does not move to the side then place your front tire on their rear tire and push rider out of the way. After passing rider make two or three more Brrraaaaaaaaaaap Braaaaaaaaaaaaap noises.



Good stuff!!! I forgot about universal Brrraaaaaaaaaap noise. Very key, especially to signal that the pass is complete. A small wheelie is never a bad combo with the Brrraaaaaaap, Brrrraaaaaaaps!

[toasthaiku]

Good stuff!!! I forgot about universal Brrraaaaaaaaaap noise. Very key, especially to signal that the pass is complete. A small wheelie is never a bad combo with the Brrraaaaaaap, Brrrraaaaaaaps!

I'll flip the clothespin to push the baseball card back into the spokes. :etard:

[RichZilla]

best method is to come up quickly behind the rider make multiple Brraaaaaaaap Brraaaaaaaaaaap noises, while twisting your hand on your grip. If rider does not move to the side then place your front tire on their rear tire and push rider out of the way. After passing rider make two or three more Brrraaaaaaaaaaap Braaaaaaaaaaaaap noises.

Yup, old school passing. Did that to Jimmy at the Buck race last night. Heh heh heh.:cool:

[jag]

Yup, old school passing. Did that to Jimmy at the Buck race last night. Heh heh heh.:cool:

Yep, that was funnnnny, laugh it up. Almost cost you a beer, but I just couldn't do that to ya. Revenge will be sweet.....:evil:

[dirtgrl]

Shad had a great reply -- especially with regard to communication and "thank you's". Unfortunately I'm stuck in front of all the Comp guys and am passed a TON! I have no idea who's behind me (Comp racer?, competitor?, back-of-the-pack Expert guy?), I have no idea how many are behind me, and I have no idea what the rider behind me wants to do. Sometimes when I initiate the conversation, the rider will tell me they want to ride my pace and NOT pass. So, I rely completely on the rider behind me to tell me what they'd like to do. If I hear nothing, I assume nothing (unless it's obvious that they've come up on my quickly, like getting lapped by the Expert guys).

My goal is make it a win-win by skooching over just enough at the right time to avoid slowing the pace of both the passing rider and myself. It is critical that a second rider wanting to pass let me know -- it's usually only when multiple riders pass without communicating that cause a crash.

Most of you say, "Thank you", which I always GREATLY appreciate.

[DANW]

When I'm racing atvs through the woods we have an unwritten rule - If you ride by 2 spots where you could have pulled over, but you don't pull over, we then put you into the trees.

You bike racers seem a little nicer though... :D

[Danimal]

I have never been able to pass anyone:(

[motomofo]

Back in my Moto days, we would just move you over. No one would ever just let you pass. I feel for the girls in expert. I really think they should start behind the comp riders.

[GoatGirl]

best method is to come up quickly behind the rider make multiple Brraaaaaaaap Brraaaaaaaaaaap noises, while twisting your hand on your grip. If rider does not move to the side then place your front tire on their rear tire and push rider out of the way. After passing rider make two or three more Brrraaaaaaaaaaap Braaaaaaaaaaaaap noises.

This actually happens! when the tires touch a really loud buzzing noise is heard:jumpy:

I agree with Kristy that communicating how many riders are passing is VERY important because I will go back to center trail ASAP and if there is a second or third rider who is trying to pass, well, let's just say it is not pretty.

Most riders know what to do and how to do it, but it is always a good reminder.

Emily Post Passing Technique

"Rider up please" "Let me know when and what side to pass on please" or "2 riders back" "thanks"

I like to tell the guys who pass well how much I appreciate their technique.

Letting people pass who are not in your class seems like a no brainer when a girl is passing a guy. Perhaps they get confused? This happened in Redwing.

The fact that you are on your feet and not riding is basic logic, you need to clear the trail for any rider. It is not ok to just keep trying to climb up the hill and make the rider behind you get off their bike. I try to leave plenty of room between me and the rider ahead in case they fall so they can get out of my way, but many times they will just start to push the bike in front of me. This happened at the Fire Cracker Race.

We can all share the sand box!:p