[Closed] Near miss with hikers - unlucky or irresponsible?

I'd go with irresponsible, assuming it's not a dedicated bike trail.

(Edit: was originally "the former" but it wasn't clear whether that was referring to the title or the post…)

The former, assuming it’s not a dedicated bike trail.

Agreed.

Just about acceptable in that they did just stop in the space they could see. However a bit too much on the dickish side - and a longer stop and apology and a wait for those following would not have gone amiss

He even comments that it's the one blind corner on the route. Yeah, poor example on a shared use trail.

I'd say just unlucky. They stopped in time although a bit of a breather and craic with the walkers would have been in order.

There is more than one "blind corner" on that track and it is a very popular walking trail into the Lairig Ghru. A local bike shop owner has already come in for criticism for knocking over a child cycling up.

Both cases indefensible and (IMO) contrary to Scottish Access Legislation.

About the 8min 10s mark for those not wanting to scrub through the whole video.

It looks a bit quick into the corner to me, but it's hard to really tell from the video. I think his lean angle into the turn possibly makes it look faster and more aggressive than it is.

I guess the fact that he stopped in the available space probably argues for it being appropriate speed, but it looks like squeaky bum time all around and I bet those walkers were fairly well shaken.

Bad example. If its blind either slow down or if its that fun to run fast get someone below as a spotter.

I guess the fact that he stopped in the available space probably argues for it being appropriate speed, but it looks like squeaky bum time all around and I bet those walkers were fairly well shaken.

Yeah, every time I'm cycling on the road and a car/truck/bus passes me with 2cm to spare its just fine because they didn't actually hit me.

Bit of a dick move, especially so given they know the trail (and that it's a blind corner).

irresponsible - buy a less 'capable' bike and ride slower for the same thrill...

I'd go with irresponsible.

guiding down

Hmm. Go ahead slower and let the others ride a clear trail behind you then, maybe? Anyone would have a right to be pissed off at seeing someone have to haul up that quick in front of you - walker, another rider, etc.

Irresponsible IMO knowing full well that the path is going to be in use by walkers of all ages and abilities. A blind bend is exactly that. If you were to ask the same question of anyone who's not a dedicated mountain biker I don't think you'd get a favourable response. And the point for me is how would these riders be perceived by other users of the path? Poor form and ridden with the expectation that others will move off to one side to allow you through.

I like Andy's videos but that one doesn't set a good example.

Out with the spirit of both rule no.1 and Scottish access laws.

It did look a bit too fast, and like they should've spotted the walkers before they disappeared behind the tree.

Then again they did stop. And everyone makes misjudgements, so I'm not going to get too upset/judgemental when nobody's got hurt.

I'd be heartily embarrassed if I had to pull an emergency stop like that to avoid wiping someone out. As a professional guide and organiser of MTB trips I certainly wouldn't want it stuck on Youtube!

3.25 they pass walkers/runners (maybe a bit fast imo) who tell the riders 'you shouldnt be doing that'.

I think the video makes it worse than it is. you can hear braking before the corner. The fact they stopped so quickly shows they couldn't have been going that fast. That said given the corner Ben should have slowed down more before hand

3.25 they pass walkers/runners (maybe a bit fast imo) who tell the riders ‘you shouldnt be doing that’.

Different trail, different conditions. They were maybe going a bit too fast and would have appeared "scary" to anyone else on the path (it's not very wide). I'm not sure that dismissing the criticism out of hand was clever either. Maybe try taking into account a bit?

A bit dickish IMHO. Its shared use, you need to ride accordingly

Ooh, internet judgements, super! The walker seemed ok with it, so I'm ok with it, seeing as I wasn't there or ever will be.

Actually on the first trail, one of the women says "hello" and her friend says "You shouldn't be ...".

Yeah, every time I’m cycling on the road and a car/truck/bus passes me with 2cm to spare its just fine because they didn’t actually hit me.

Point taken, although I'm not sure the two scenarios are entirely comparable.

Anyway, what I was trying to say was that although the rider stopped in time (and hence one might argue that the speed was appropriate for the corner), it looked pretty dicey, and that'd suggest to me that he was going too fast.

Going back to the OP's question: yes, setting a poor example.

The walker seemed ok with it, so I’m ok with it

I’ve nearly been flattened by someone in a car before and we had a brief but very polite and stereotypically English conversation in the immediate aftermath. Doesn’t mean I wasn’t very nearly hospitalised, though, or that I wasn’t replaying and editing the conversation in my head after we parted.

Doing it professionally, you need to be squeaky clean.

Could he stop in the distance he could see to be clear? Yes, just, but was it by luck or judgement? Looks like the first.

Timber Bell for the lead rider might have given the walkers a bit more reaction time but only less speed would have helped the lead rider.

Setting a poor example on a blind corner or by the grace of god go us?

Bit of both, TBH.

Imo I genuinely cannot see any issue here apart from her gob.

Irresponsible and dickish behavior on shared path

Exuberant irresponsibility.

Still: irresponsibility.

Imo I genuinely cannot see any issue here apart from her gob.

Have you read the scottish access code? Your right to cycle on tracks like this is a qualified not absolute right - and the qualification is to behave responsibly

Access rights extend to cycling. Cycling on hard surfaces, such as wide paths and tracks, causes few problems. On narrow routes, cycling may cause problems for other people, such as walkers and horse riders. If this occurs, dismount and walk until the path becomes suitable again. Do not endanger walkers and horse riders: give other users advance warning of your presence and give way to them on a narrow path. Take care not to alarm farm animals, horses and wildlife. If you are cycling off-path,particularly in winter, avoid: •going onto wet, boggy or soft ground; and•churning up the surface.CYCLING>Scottish Outdoor Access Code, 2005

I’ve nearly been flattened by someone in a car before and we had a brief but very polite and stereotypically English conversation in the immediate aftermath

Oh yeah, definitely wouldn't be happy with a car on the Cairngorm trail. That'd be well wrong.

Andrew went past that gobshite woman slowly. Struggling to see what danger the riders posed to her.

Personally knowing it was a blind and shared corner I’d not have gone around it at any speed. I’d rather be safe than sorry.

Too fast and always expect the unexpected. It is after all primarily a walkers trail.
Although it is a cracker on the bike and should be familiar from this months front cover 😉

oo fast and always expect the unexpected. It is after all a trail.
Although it is a cracker on the bike and should be familiar from this months front cover

FTFY

Poah - I would have slowed more than that but I don't see much wrong with the pass at 3mins+ I tend to slow to walking pace in that sort of circumstance - practice " polite cycling"

Ah we've all done it! I'd be worried that the encounter at 8mins is the sort of thing that causes the attitude exhibted at 3mins

Bit naughty on that bit of track, would have given them a bit of a fright when they appeared round the corner that quickly. I ride that bit quite frequently and am very careful having been hit by a rider coming down it when I was running ! So , you’re guiding so should be advance sweeping to ensure it’s clear and safe. It’s a reasonably busy route.

I’d be worried that the encounter at 8mins is the sort of thing that causes the attitude exhibted at 3mins

Yep, plus it impacts on the local riders that use it regularly and who have been trying to sweeten things in the area by carrying out various bits of trail maintenance.

As it happens I have cucled many times up north off onto Scottish isles and mainland but not for a while now.

I am aware of the right to roam etc.
Cheers

Well if you are aware how can you not see that this is right on the edge if not over it? Right to roam is not an unqualified right like riding on bridleways in england

"don't be a dick"

Hi guys,
Thanks for your comments.

Just a couple of points:

1. The video cut after we stopped and restarted when we left. We did infact have a friendly chat and apologised to the walkers for scaring them. They laughed it off and said they were glad I had good brakes!

2. It's hard to judge speed from a video - and I find it strange that everyone is so proficient at this. I wasn't going very fast. I stopped well within 1 bike length. Go out and see how slow you have to be riding to stop that quickly.

3. I've guided well over a million vertical metres of descent on natural trails over more than a decade and neither myself or anyone in any group I've guided has ever hit a walker. That speaks for itself in terms of appropriate speed and guiding style.

4. If I thought I was in the wrong - I would be embarrassed and apologise. Did those walkers get startled - no doubt - but if you have honestly never startled a walker while out riding, then you obviously don't ride shared trails as much as I do. I came to a complete stop in time - I didn't have to evade the walkers... just braked and stopped in time.

Cheers,
Ben

That’s nice. How many near misses like that have you had ?
I’m still of the opinion that on that part of the trail you shouldn’t be having to do emergency stops like that.