Letters
IMBA Trail News
Volume 14, Number 4
Fall 2001
Passing Protocol
I was wondering if you could clear up a question I have been lamenting over for some time? If I am riding uphill on narrow singletrack and encounter another rider coming down, which rider has the right of way?
Mignon Crawford
Atlanta, Georgia
There is no absolute rule about which rider should yield. Common sense and a cooperative spirit guide the way. If a climbing rider is forced to dismount on a steep ascent, he or she may not be able to restart and may have to walk and push to the top. If a downhill rider recognizes this situation and is able to stop smoothly, the uphill rider will be grateful.
But the reality is that usually the downhill rider is moving a bit too quickly to stop easily. Thus, uphill riders often move to the side of the trailbed to let the downhiller roll by. In a perfect world, the downhill rider would always yield because it's never a challenge to resume riding downhill - gravity is your friend.
Treat every passing situation uniquely. If you're climbing and the downhiller stops, great. If not, yield the trail...it's not a big deal. If this happens once or twice during a ride, it's not an issue at all. However, if you're climbing and constantly dismounting to make way for downhill riders, it can be frustrating.
Be flexible, relax, and be happy when you yield to your fellow rider. The favor will be returned many times over.
Dress Brightly During Hunting Season
Regarding the article "Trail Diplomacy for the X(TR) Generation" in the Summer 2001 IMBA Trail News and the advice, "Tone down your riding outfit...on the trail earth tones have less impact." In Western Pennsylvania hunting is an issue and bright colors are safer on the trail during the fall. I will continue to encourage my sons to wear their brightly colored jerseys - including an IMBA blue and bright yellow jersey - when out on the trail to warn hunters that they are present.
Michael Raney
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
