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My worst experience of walkers was down in the Lakes last summer. I was climbing up Latrigg, out of Keswick to do the Skiddaw / Blencathra loop. I had been climbing up the steepest bit of Latrigg to the point where I couldn't turn one more pedal stoke, I was defeated. I looked up to see how far I'd gotten, into the faces of about 20-30 walkers lining each side of the path. As I went to put my foot down they all started clapping, cheering 'Bravo' and generally encouraging me on.
Swine, gits....... Fifers! I will never forgive them for that. I think my heart stopped at least three times up at the gate.
Walkers.....don't talk to me about walkers unless they're cheese and onion flavour....grrrrr!
B. 😉
I do all my riding in highland Scotland and only really encounter walkers when I do Munros, which I do quite a lot. IME, 90% of walkers are positively encouraging - not just getting out of the way, but friendly and chatty. Most of the rest are neutral, but get out of the way without complaint. About 1% obviously disapprove of bikes in "their" environment, but I've literally never had anyone block the path or actually make a negative comment
Cycle paths are a minefield, what with pootlers just riding all over the shop, walkers, and speeding lycra, much safer on the road where at least rules/danger create compliance(mostly) 😉
Bridleways, you've got the dreaded hayburners to factor in !
If done deliberately, yep. The sense of entitlement is the biggest issue in this country,
We encountered some shear bloody-mindedness at Gisburn on Saturday. As we came down the first singletrack section through the trees, 3 ramblers were walking up it. They were informed politely they were walking up marked mountain bikes trails. There reaction to this was to assert their god-given right to walk wherever they choose. Ok - your funeral.
We got back to the car, after a detour to play on the black at the top, to find my missus covered in shit and nursing fresh bruises. She'd come off after encountering the same 3 ramblers walking the wrong way up the bloody north shore section!!! 😯
She'd come round a corner on the boards to find them stood in front of her. She shouted for them to move, but they just stood there. She slammed on, lost the front, and went off the side of the boards. On witnessing this, they didn't offer to help, just left her lying there with her bike on top of her, and walked off.
Apparently there was a lot of swearing. If I'd have been there, there would have been a damn site more than that! Possibly executions! Absolute bloody idiots!!!
because all user groups hate each other.
Nope. I was once forced to ride into a ditch running adjacant to a 10 foot wide fireroad by a bunch of MTBers having a chat ... at a trail centre. Not one of them acknowledged my presence.
Most people I meet are consistently polite. Quite often they slow my progress, and sometimes it's a little frustrating, but it's never intentional and so I smile and say hello, and carry on. At the end of the day we're all sharing the same space, and there's got to be a bit of give and take. It's not hard really.
Honestly though, the rudest have nearly always been MTBers. I was once called a **** as I sat (well off the trail) eating a banana!!! This was in the middle of nowhere. Maybe he thought I ignored him. Well I'm sorry I was lost in my thoughts, but I acknowledge 99% of people I meet - is there really any need to abuse a complete stranger enjoying the countryside?
Sometimes I'm not surprised walkers get a little irrate.
She'd come off after encountering the same 3 ramblers walking the wrong way up the bloody north shore section!!!
Wow. Impressive. I bet they were dead chuffed with themselves after that. ****s. 😯
Hope Pro 2 hubs are the solution - everyone gets out the way if they think they're being chased by an angry locust.
Consideration of others is what is supposed to mark us out as civilised, it mostly works, whether on the road, path, in work, all interactions require some use of thought process.
Occasionally, it may be absentmindedness, but can appear as something worse, in groups a different dynamic can rear its ugly head-- especially the sense of entitlement some feel when they are having 'me' time.
I live in a small university city, very soon we will be invaded by lots of the above,not all,but a significant minority just interact with their own ---they literally do not see other people !
Bloody walkers, so flippin' inconsiderate. Last week I was cycling up a very steep trail and one of held open a gate for me, which meant that I couldn't stop and catch my breath! The sheer cheek!
Oh and if you want an example of bad trail behaviour, then a couple of weeks back at Coed Y Brenin, my mate crashed his bike and was screamed at by some fat bloke on a Giant who'd been following him closely for having the audacity to be lying in the trail with a bike on top of him, when obviously el Fatto had right of way.
Thankfully, my mate had the presence of mind to put Fattsky right on his assertion that he owned the trail that day, but the point is that everyone can be a colossal tool when they want to be, irrespective of whether they wear red socks or SPDs.
Some ignorant, some not, just people generally, in life.
Those that stand behind the kicker-rocks on the crag to lee quarry 'highway'...well they are a different breed altogether. 🙄
I have been known to give the especially ignorant ones a subtle brush on the way past.
I ALWAYS thank the polite ones.
I genuinely beleive they are frightened of cyclists, certainly those that ride them MTB thingumybobs.
As walkers tend to move in packs they get a feeling of safety and cohesion, this they like, anything that disturbs their pattern and it all goes a bit “peeking out of net curtains” where they just tend to stand still and gaze.
Love em or loath em, they’re harmless and provided you approach with caution and leave with grace no disturbance is caused.
I ALWAYS thank the polite ones.
This, is not only a great habit as it is the decent thing to do, but also the most perfectly targeted weapon against the diehard anti mtb rambler types.
I'm always incredibly nice, polite, slightly chatty and generally lovely when I sense a grumbly red socker in a group. And they HATE it. They want a mtber who complies to the stereotype of rude and dangerous, so they can bitch on about them for the rest of the walk, tell people in the pub afterwards about how he was damn nearly killed etc.
But if you're really nice, give way, or give them a polite warning, give a comment about the weather, bob off the track to pass them etc, you deny them that and contradict their opinion.
And to anyone not of that mindset, it just seems like your being nice. No collateral damage unlike getting into an arguement.
Watch their faces, you can see it work, its wonderful 😀
unklehomered +1
"My work colleage, who isn't a cyclist was [b]totally taken aback[/b] at how rude the walkers appeared.
He was [b]even more shocked[/b] when I told him that's just what they seem to do.
My wife, who rarely rides, was [b]equally taken aback[/b] when out riding on our holiday at how ignorant walkers appear to be when a cyclist approaches. She was [b]even more shocked[/b] when I replied that's just how they are, live with it, it won't change"
You don't think they were just taking the piss?
Or just overreacting , can picture your work mate doing a triple take upon seeing the walkers...
In the peaks, I find there is a correlation between walker politeness and distance from the car park. Hearty types with big rucksacks in the middle of nowhere are usually more friendly than the 'I've walked 300M from the car park and I own the countyside' brigade.As with all generalisations not always true but often enough to notice.
unklehomered +2
Riding down the bridle way at castle crag; a group of three walker in ront. They hear us from miles off. All walk to one side of the path (way) and then at the very last minute one steps out to the other side and says 'have you not heard of a bell'. I had to laugh there was lot of noise being made by us.
I think it's a mode thing. When people are walking in town, say, they are in town mode which means keeping a good eye out for cars when they cross (usually). When at say the park with kids, they are automatically tuned to watch out for kids getting into peril. When driving, they are watching for road hazards (mostly) and staying on the left etc.
When walking, however, it's supposed to be peaceful, unhurried and free from the constraints of traffic laws etc. Which, to be honest, is a fair point. They are doing a slow activity, their minds are in slow wandering mode which again I can understand and appreciate myself. When MTBing however you are in active hard exercise mode on the ups or adrenaline speed mode on the way down, so you are in a completely different world and they are not expecting it.
If they were standing around in a road and you came along at 20mph in your car, they'd leap out of the way sharpish because they know it's a road and that fast things will be coming along; there is danger which is registered down to the subconscious level. The opposite is true when they are walking, which is why there's always a pause and a moment of confusion as you come hurtling around a corner.
If there's enough cycle traffic though, say on a busy cycleway, walkers often switch to danger mode after a while (or immediately if they are regulars on that path) and start co-operating instinctively.
Remember, out on the trails they've probably not seen many people for hours and it's all peace, quiet, birds and squirrels. So a speeding MTBer quite a discontinuity.
And to be fair, I think they have a right to their peace and unhurriedness out in the woods.
She'd come off after encountering the same 3 ramblers walking the wrong way up the bloody north shore section!!!
😯
I did encounter a nice old couple who were about to stroll up Hully Gully the other day, but they were perfectly pleasant and genuinely unaware they were in danger of getting totalled by an unsuspecting rider.
My mate has an air horn strapped to his bars for just such encounters, but it seems to antagonise people, i think if you make people aware of your presence in a reasonable way , they can't grumble, but as we know there are those that are not happy unless they have got something to moan about.
Personally a bell is for small children on bikes, and service in a posh hotel
Unk and Mol +1.
I think it's two separate things to be honest - people ambling along in a world of their own and just not registering that there's a bike behind them is one thing, and entirely fair enough - I find these folk usually leap out of the way and apologise profusely when greeted with a cheery hello.
The deliberate blocking of the trail I've never really experienced. Those people are just dicks.
Funny, I have yet to encounter any hostility from walkers (or horseriders). Politeness and respect all round seems to work in my experience. But I do have a little chuckle at our expectations that when cycling on the road we are entitled to hold a sensible position and expect vehicle to manoeuvre around us, but we sometimes feel unwilling to do the same with walkers!!
The deliberate blocking of the trail I've never really experienced.
Me neither.
So a speeding MTBer quite a discontinuity.
I think it's this that often causes the problems though..
Whilst it's unavoidable that sometimes you will approach at speed, the majority of times it's possible to slow to a unintimidating pace.. maybe even walking pace, or a complete stop for a chat or whatever..
speeding around hoping that folk don't panic and can react appropriately is bellendery IMO
Yeah - shared trails = give and take, and that means slowing right down, getting out the way of horses, that kind of thing. I think we're a bit spoiled where I ride (t'Peak) 'cos there are so many bridleways that are only really used by bikes, in an area with less RsOW it could be a bit different. But the shared trail etiquette still applies.
A long time ago, before baggies were invented, me and a friend were out in the North Wales mountains on our fully rigid canti equipped bikes enjoying a very rare bit of cheeky footpath (still practically never do this) simply because it was a first class grassy mountain descent.
We met a group of old classic red socks style walkers as we crossed a stile, one bloke and about 5 women. The bloke scowled and grumpily mumbled about PROW legislation, but the women were quite amused and went 'OOOOH hello young man ooh aren't you strong!' as we lifted our bikes over the wall and made various other comical slightly lewd remarks.
The old guy was even more miffed by this and tried to dismiss our show of strength and virility by saying 'that must be one of those new lightweight bikes'.
I think we're a bit spoiled where I ride (t'Peak) 'cos there are so many bridleways that are only really used by bikes
same here on Dartmoor.. In fact, if I'm honest I rarely encounter another cyclist or walker.. 8)
The deliberate blocking of the trail I've never really experienced.
To be honest if you've never ridden in a place that sees a lot of pressure on the trails you won't have experienced much of this. Some places down south are thronged with all manner of trail users, as are some up North, due to city proximity etc.
Interstingly a little map study reveals that Gisburn is in fact mostly access land. Now I'm not sure how the introduction of trails on access land effects the 'right to roam responsibly' but I suspect the responsible bit could be called into question for the events you describe.
ive found that shouting "bike" rather than excuse me works a lot better. they instantly know youre a bike trying to get past rather than someone asking for help.
^^^^^^
as above, a good cheery "good Morning/afternoon" gets the attention better than a bell or "scuse me"
YMMV....
hugor - MemberI think it's reasonable for them to stand still and let you get around.
Well, depends. If it's a wide path/trail and there's room to get around, then that's fine. If there isn't, then it's not. Common sense IMO. When I stop, whether on wheels or not, I make sure there's space for others to pass easily because otherwise, why even stop? And as the person who's stopped, it's far easier and safer for me to get off the trail than to expect someone who's riding/walking/running/horsing to do so.
Usually find slowing down and saying 'Excuse me' and 'Thanks' or 'Lovely day' promotes more positive responses.
Most people are pretty polite and helpful where I ride. A lot of walkers are completely unaware - often the older ones have trouble hearing. They also get caught up in the social aspect of the walk and become oblivious of who else is around them.
Have been scorned for 'not using me bell' even when I have. Usual suspect - silver ramblers who should be thinking about wearing a hearing aide. Rang my bell continuously on the way back. The look on their faces was priceless 😀
Have found horse riders to be pretty considerate if I am considerate with them - slow down and ask if the horse is ok with bikes. Often see pretty ones 🙂
For some reason it's some of the dog walkers who believe they have primary rights over the moor. A few don't bag up their dog cr*p which is pretty grim if you get it into your tyres! Now carry bags and helpfully offer them to anyone who looks like they might need them 🙂
People just see things from their own perspective - cyclists (including me) especially.
In the peaks, I find there is a correlation between walker politeness and distance from the car park. Hearty types with big rucksacks in the middle of nowhere are usually more friendly than the 'I've walked 300M from the car park and I own the countyside' brigade.As with all generalisations not always true but often enough to notice.
Absolutely bang on, that! In my experience. Especially in the lakes when you get within striking distance of Windermere
I think walkers don't really care about us. But I've learned to live with it. It seems a small sort of thing really. Why are people so animated about having to slow down, say hello, maybe an 'excuse me please' Are you all going somewhere really important like those speeding car drivers who keep trying to kill me on the roads?
Walkers I've found fine, horses not so (well their owners really, hotties or not). Why though do sheep *always* leave it to the last minute to (a) run across the path infront of you and / or (b) decide to run down the path you're on, going about 1 mph too slow. JUST GO 1 FEET TO THE SIDE AND I'LL STOP FOLLOWING YOU.
All these years and it still winds me up 😛
Oh, and bees. Last sunday three bumblebees got stuck under my helmet via the vents. Do I sweat honey? Am I made of wax? No I don't and no I'm not. Please stop it KTHXBYE.
The malverns are the worst place for this, my mate got a dog lead around his neck during one ride! A walker though it would be a good idea to lassoo a cyclist , almost killed him! Police didn't give a sh* t
Really lucky where we live. Very rarely come across a grumpy walker.
However we had a real idiot the other day. 4 of us were cycling down a steep whirly bridge onto the local canal, under the bridge there is a walker, I instantly apologise for riding where he is walking (not room for walker and cyclist), most walkers wait for a bike and get a thank you, this chap said he wanted to push us in the water - charming!
Sunny weather helps though, today's walkers were really jolly and thanked me for the use of my bell, all 40 of them.
there are people who get 'off' on hearing bike bells !!
Some girls' mothers are bigger than other girls' mothers.
There seems to be a reasonable correlation between busy-ness and angry-ness.
As others have noted already it is sometimes a case of just not liking 'people not like me' - they should be somewhere else.
Another encounter this time in the dales. Two walkers coming down a hill as i'm plodding up. Quick hello followed by "rather you than me" all said with smiles and perfectly pleasant. Coincidentaly the mountain bikers i saw later were ignorant gits didn't even get a hello from them.
I normaly find the grumiest walkers are the ones with 40 liter packs, walking poles, gps's and faces like a smacked ass that are about half a mile from the local tourist car park.
Once you get about three miles away from the car park people are generaly quite sociable.
I've seen it from both sides.
I've wanted to grab some cyclists on a canal path in Leeds, clothes line them clean of their bikes and explain to them that they are giving us all a bad name by barreling down narrow paths. There was absolutely no compromise in the way they were riding, so if you do ride canal paths at a vast rate of knots in the Leeds area, stand by.
On the other side of the coin. Wide double track on a down hill section of the south downs. I was 15m in front of my not so confident girlfriend as 2 walkers (think oap daily mail readers) were walking up hill. The old dear saw me, and moved from the raised middle into the the other track from her husband forcing me to leave the bridleway completely. No problem for me, but this forced my girlfriend off as well where she just managed to keep control and avoid the ditch
Dont come back with the counter argument that she shouldn't have been going fast, I was controlling her speed by being in front and we were doing only walking pace as we passed. Its the only time I've not gave a sarcastic "thanks", but a full blown "what the f*&k do you think you are playing at?" She and her husband walked away and never looked back. 👿
On the cycle path down the prom at seacombe , there are 2 white lines about 8 feet apart this forms the cyclepath part, allowing about 20m foot each side for walkerists to perambulate on.
During the warm weather our local police have taken to driving between the white lines , just checking for trouble or riot situations developing i suppose.
A youth was walking down the middle of the white lines just as a police car came up behind him, as i approached him and i moved out of the lane,to let the police car past, i said theres a police car behind you, and you do know its a cycle lane, he shouted f..k off muppet, just as the police car was about to pass him, much hilarity as he had a Dixel moment,as the police car stopped suddenly at his side and asked him to repeat his comment.
Dixel momnet = involuntary need to use a toilet.