not to beat a dead horse, but...

[martin]

The "Trail Ettiquete" thread has caused some commotion, so I figured I turn it into a poll - about time I change the las one any way...

So, what do you think?

[drewdane]

The "Trail Ettiquete" thread has caused some commotion, so I figured I turn it into a poll - about time I change the las one any way...

So, what do you think?
I'd phrase it as "All other things being equal, who should yield", but hey... ;)

[hophead]

As a rule, a rider going downhill should yield to the climbing rider. I wouldn't say that there should be exceptions to this rule, but there are situations where it would be nice to allow a descending rider to pass.

For instance: If a rider is descending from the crossroads of the Yellow trail at Schaeffer toward the creek crossing and I am climbing, but on the almost flat section in the middle, I will step aside and let the rider going downhill pass. As you all know, this is a sweet section to descend at high speed. It's easy to get started there after a stop so why not yield? I don't expect a climbing rider to yield to me there, but it's really nice when it happens.

Another situation where I might yield to descending riders is where there is a group descending and I am alone climbing. If I can do it, I'll step aside.

[ridethewomble]

Etiquette is more than using the right fork; in many cases, it helps us share scarce resources (without tearing each others' heads off :rolleyes: ) by setting expectations. Is it conceivable that standing on the left on a Metro escalator may make sense in some cases? Yes. Is "Stand right, walk left," an arbitrary choice? Yes. Most people, however, have the reasonable expectation that someone will follow the "rule." Does the Earth stop rotating when convention is breached? No. Is life safer, less confrontational, and more pleasant when people don't act unexpectedly? Yes.

Similarly, a convention has developed in the MTB community that the downhill rider will yield. Is the rationale for the convention so blindingly logical that no reasonable person can come to any other conclusion? Clearly, the discussion says, "No." It's the best way we have to sort out a downhill/uphill meeting situation, though.

Most mountain bikers will expect the downhill rider to yield. They'll act accordingly. It's therefore safer to try to follow the rule/convention/tradition. It's less safe to act in unexpected ways. There's no huge penalty for not yielding, but you'll have fewer collisions, confrontations, and ugly interactions if you do.

Peace, y'all. :)

[werace424]

I'll yield if I need a break anyways. It definately depends upon the situation to me. If I see the other rider first, and they are downhillin', I may yield to them...If I am close to the top of a climb I have mever made...

What I am trying to say is that it is better for both to yield than none.

But we do need a "rule" to help prevent injuries as well as keep it civil.

Most of the people I "ride into" are really willing to yield no matter what direction they are going.

But riders yield to all other trail users, unless given the go ahead by the other users. Having ridden horses when much younger, I will always yield to our equine friends no matter what the rider says.

Bla, Bla, Bla...............

[Dirt]

You need a selection on the poll for "Any rider that is not me." ;)

Love,

Pete