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Bells on MTB's? How do you warn other trail users?
At the recent Forestville Park PoM info day I was discussing some concerns that local residents had regarding Mountain Bikes on trails. There was an elderly couple who were worried about being collected by a bike on the local trails. They mentioned Cascades, which although a wide fire trail, has them concerned due to the high speed and lack of warning that MTB'ers give. Obviously on the Forestville single trail they couldn't reconcile how they were not going to be in danger when sharing the trial.
One of my business mentors gets me to think of conflict situations from 1st perspective (mine), second perspective (theirs) and third perspective (impartial observer). I had a think about this situation of bikes not warning other trail users. We know that we're under control and even at speed can slow down quickly to avoid a collision. Hey that's partly what MTB is about... reacting to ever changing trails, often in the blink of an eye. But for an elderly couple out for a pleasant stroll they just have a mountain bike or two come up silently behind them and whoosh past. Taking the impartial observer perspective I think the other trail users have a fair expectation that we'll warn them before passing by.
So my question to NobMob'ers is, do you have a bell on your bike? If not how do you warn others trail users?
My answer. I don't have a bell but after thinking this through will be out to get my self something before I next hit the trails.
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I find a loudly said, not yelled, "ding, ding" to be very effective. I also follow this with "morning, thank you" and a smile. Sometimes you notice surprise at the friendliness but mostly you just get a "morning" back.
The only time I've come across walkers is at Manly Dam. If we're heading towards each other it's not an issue as we'll see each other at the same time and take avoiding action. If I'm coming up behind them, generally they hear the bike travelling along, if not, I'll slow down and politely say 'excuse me', followed by a friendly 'thank you'.
I don't think it's an issue as long as the person on the bike is curtious and polite.
Edit:- Can you get carbon bells? I can't have one of those heavy steel things on the bars!
Don't you just yell "track"
Of course I'm joking
I normally just say loudly "rider" to alert them and then say thank you, have a nice day etc.
passing on the right(or left-depends which side they are mostly) followed by a thank you + a usual "great day,top morning" etc.
..they can usually hear the breathing well before I get there. If it's on the flat or downhill, I rely on my Dice rear hub which makes a nice clicky/whirry noise when I stop pedalling. If that doesn't work, I go for a bit of brake squeal. If that doesn't work, it usually means they've got their mp3 player on and a brass band won't be enough.....
Seriously, I slow down and if they don't hear me, a polite "excuse me" and "thanks" usually does the trick. If it's Mr / Ms mp3, I don't worry if I startle them a tad....
On my hardtail only, since I use that bike a lot on the road. It's on there as a box-ticking exercise, as is a rear reflector. Had a bell on the dually until recently, removed it when I broke the dinger in an off.
This is my take on it, as a frequent shared path user on my commutes.
The problem I found is that when riding a rough section off road, or in an emergency situation like as an unexpected lunge from an iPod zombie on a shared path, you usually have a choice of using the bell, or the brakes. I'd prefer to be using the brakes. Using a bell means I have to take my thumb off the bar. Fitting it so I don't gets in the way of the other hardware.
So I tend to make eye contact, and ask politely if they mind if I can pass, and make sure I thank them. If approaching from behind, it's "excuse me" trying not to sound like I'm yelling sarcastically. Although "Ding ding!" (loudly, not shouted) with a wink and a smile might work better I reckon
The only solution I've found for making your presence known to iPod zombies from behind is either a tap on the shoulder or an Air Zound at 1m. I'm not sure which makes them leap higher.
I find screaming "strava run" seems to work
....and the squeal will let everyone know you are there.
Follow this rule of the International Mountain Bike Association Rules of the Trail and you should be right:
Always Yield Trail
Let your fellow trail users know you're coming. A friendly greeting or bell is considerate and works well; don't startle others. Show your respect when passing by slowing to a walking pace or even stopping. Anticipate other trail users around corners or in blind spots. Yielding means slow down, establish communication, be prepared to stop if necessary and pass safely.
I find bells impersonal and just a bit arrogant, like "I couldn't even be bothered talking to you so Ding!" bit like hiding behind a honking horn in traffic
What's so wrong with slowing down and saying "Just coming through on your right, sorry if I startled you."?
I'm glad I was not the first one to mention "STRAVA RUN"! Seriously, I don't think your average walker would know what it means. I use a polite "excuse me" or a "when your ready" followed by a friendly "cheers".
Hadley/Hope hubs are all the warning you need ...
Easy. Since riding in the Rockies I have learnt how to use bear spray:
+1 the hope hubs. Work on snakes too