[Closed] Canal tow path 'banter'

There were no winners here.

Opinions vary......

A sarcastic "Ding Ding" would have been a better.

Still funny though.

😀

I normally just thank people politely for allowing me to pass.

Speaking to people helps 🙂

I tend to just use my bell if I'm on a shared path..

Simple

I politely thanked 15+ people......

The aggressive approach, from one person, warranted a sarky remark IMHO......

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Ah cheers mate.....I always think my stories are the best. Glad you concur.

I thank with a smile even the aggressive ones, as the tow paths can get very busy in the summer and as a pedestrian you can have to stop and step aside on some of the skinnier sections literally every couple of minutes to let a cyclist through, and thet would get on the tits of a saint.

Aah yes, 'banter' the new name for "being a ****".

Knob

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Even when riding a bike, there is something about the incessant 'Hope clickies' that means I won't move over until asked to, let alone walking along.
During a race/event; constant hope clickies and I ain't moving....a quick 'rider up' and I will go out of my way to make some room.
Obviously I will make room if it's the lead pack coming through, but you can normally tell when they are approaching, as opposed to some mid-pack elite rider wannabe.

lol.

I don't have a bell either, but again, my Orange 5 with it's It's inbuilt 'noise', squeaky Hope brakes & the din coming from the freehub, plus my wheezing & gasping....well people on towpaths in Norfolk can hear me before any bell would alert them!

'I would rather hear a bell' WTF!

Similar thing years ago on a winter ride, catching some walkers & riding through the frozen puddles when a woman looked round when we were 100 yards away, she warned her pals of our approach then when we got to her she said, 'you should have a bell'

Even when riding a bike, there is something about the incessant 'Hope clickies' that means I won't move over until asked to, let alone walking along

IME a bell is either ignored or cause wild spread panic as walkers scatter in all directions

yea, they trained Rats to respond to bells!
Be More Rat 😆

I always find a polite 'scuse me' is suffice, even when im not on my bike, seems to work everywhere (Until the pedants are out' 🙄

I ride bikes a lot and yield to pretty much anyone else on a trail or such path.
Except for those who think that rattling their agricultural components at me is some sort of substitute for a bell or politeness.
Just get a bell.

Bells are crap. To many walkers they sound like a "command" to get out of the way. Slow down and ask politely to get past. Always works for me (except for those that are wearing headphones and wouldn't hear anyway).

Njee is correct.

Give them the full range of your ring tones starting with the dukes of hazzard Der Ner Ner Ner Ner Ner Ner Ner Ner Ner Ner Ner

Walkers have priority innit?

A nice cheery 'Hello' usually does it.
If not, I just get off and walk the bike past 'em.

Older people take longer to react, many have hearing/sight/mobility issues.

Be nice - costs nowt.

I usually find a full speed skid about a foot behind walkers ankles does the trick

OP - if you can politely thank 15+ people you can politely thank 16+

I know passive aggressive idiocy gets on your nerves but you'd have had a better day if you'd let it go... why let his inability to be polite affect your ability to be polite?

Tow paths seem to feature a lot more anti-bike feelings than out on the hills I find.

If I don't have a bell I get the "where's your bell?", and shocked alarm diving for cover as if they're under attack even having heard or seen me from half a mile away anyway.

If I do have a bell, they look as if they're about to have a heart attack, then give me a dirty look. Or there's the sarcastic "well at *least* you rang the bell".

Then there's the groups who will block the path, notice you from afar and continue to block the path and will not move. I don't expect them to give way instantly and I stop to let them past when coming towards me, but when following behind a polite "excuse me" when they're at a point easy to step aside and all should be happy. Despite this, some will flat refuse to let you past, even where the tow path has shared cycle and walker permission.

And the bells... modern cheap bells that come with bikes are just rubbish. The one I use is such a one, and half the time it doesn't work. And yes they are a bit "get out of my way!".

Christ you lot, no one died, no need to be so judgemental. I thought it a witty retort. The walker was being a bell end and deserved to be told so, just like how some of you have told the op.

Not just me then

I scream STRAAAAAVAAAAA at full tilt. Most of them move the ones that don't end up in the drink.

#internetwarrior

I wasn't being judgemental.

Just letting the OP know that walkers have priority and old people are often a bit slower to react.
He/she might not have known.

Sorry.

Top effort, thought could have been improved by a) farting on him or b) a crafty nudge into the canal

You lot are funny.

From 'big hitting' scorn upon my actions, to self righteous admonishment......

It / he didn't ruin my day, it caused an amusement to my day. Ramblers' ramblings often do.

Fire up ya keyboards again big guys......

Me, me, me 🙄

Have you not for one moment considered that it may have ruined his day and that he not have been amused.

It's not banter, it's agressive intimidation over some poor defenceless walker; your comment may have pushed him over the edge of despair, broken up his family, cost him his job, lost him his home. Have you no sensitivity?

From 'big hitting' scorn upon my actions, to self righteous admonishment

STW never fails to deliver on both counts!

Me 'Howling screaming brakes'
Couple hear me and move to one side
Me' good morning and thanks'
Another couple just ahead of them. Bloke talking so loud, he wouldnt hear a neutron bomb go off. Doesn't move with howling brakes.
Me ' morning and excuse me, can I pass ?'
Still doesnt hear me over his voice or the woman next to him.
Me a bit louder' Excuse me can I pass you ?'
Him ' Oh and where is your bell, I didn't hear it?'
Me ' you would hear nothing other than your own voice, so not sure if I had a klaxon your hear that either'
Couple behind.... sound of laughter.....
Him.......Silence........
Wat with a capital T .......
I have actually now bought a klaxon siren and looking forward to using it......

I have actually now bought a klaxon siren and looking forward to using it......

Please have your GoPro running when you do!

Its one of these and jees is it loud 😯

251327581016

Fleabay

Oh great OP another local pissed off
Your only allowed on that path by agreement, and there is so much cheeky riding round there that by and large is pretty much tolerated that we really should not be pissing people off

It is Matlock.....the standard position is pissed off.

I've tried calling out "Ding Ding" on occasions but it only ever comes across as sounding slightly sarcastic........

I was riding some cheek today, so just gave way and was polite to walkers expecting a bit of abuse but got none, other than one, "you shouldn't be riding here", so I gave an "oops, didn't realise, bloke up there told me it was a bridleway".

However, two full red socks saw I stopped to let past said, "you aren't riding down there, are you?" I had no real route planned, so I said, "where?". They pointed to a descent I hadn't spotted, and it was one of the sweetest bits of singletrack, and I'd have missed it if they hadn't pointed out. Great times.

I suspect a lot of walkers would be plain irritated by the sound of a noisy freewheel and no "communication". Oh and bear in mind cyclists have been granted the concession of using canal towpaths. It is not a right. It could possibly be withdrawn.

Old people often don't hear bells. It's the frequency, innit!

I suspect a lot of walkers would be plain irritated by the sound of a noisy freewheel and no "communication". Oh and bear in mind cyclists have been granted the concession of using canal towpaths. It is not a right. It could possibly be withdrawn.