I think this is more of a rant than a post but hey who cares...
I dont know about others here, but I really enjoy it when I am out and I see the younger kids having a go at riding with mums / dads. I take my daughter who is 6 out a fair bit now, but it always makes me smile when I see the kids being fearless and giving it a go. I see it as the next generation of cyclists coming through.
Now I am not going to mention names of trails and parks where the following has occurred but its mainly to give you a flavour.
[b]The Good[/b]
A couple of months ago, I was riding with my daughter on a trail, she was really struggling up the 3rd in a series of hills, cue guy blasting through the section approaching from behind us. He slows and rides alongside, giving her encouragement... "push on, keep going" until she hits the top... then said goodbye and headed off at the breakneck speed he had approached at...
The same park in question... fast downhill section, cue 2 riders in team colours, seriously moving, they slow and communicate with daughter that we are passing on your right hand side. Again, great etiquette, kids often get scared or distracted when adults fly past it just made me smile.
[b]The Bad[/b]
A couple of weeks before we were riding a twisting section cue prat on bike, barely wide enough for 2 bikes, pushes past my 6 year old and causes her to fall. His girlfriend who also passes stops, not a word in communication from him before nudgng past, he stops at the bottom of the hill, I think me looking like I was going to smash him over the head with his bike may of helped. Its not as if this was a red or advanced trail just some prat trying to prove he is king of the MTB on a baby trail.
[b]The Ugly[/b]
Riding yesterday, on a bike only trail with my 6 year old, we encountered 2 people walking dogs on the single track which is marked as a bike trail not a footpath, she clipped the guys dog he starts shouting, a little later that day, on the advanced trail, following a chap who seriously bailed into another chap and his dog... cue bloke screaming and shouting.
I know collectively we cant do anything about the muppet who walks his dog on the bike only trail, but the other things we can, it would be nice if we could all extend that thought out to the little ones when we see them out pushing on and loving what we love in terms of hooning around on the trails... a word of encouragement, communication when passing etc... can go a long way.
I also know this kind of behaviour is pretty much standard to most cyclists as they understand, but I think we also have a duty to say something when we see people not extending these behaviours when little ones are on the trail. But again perhaps I am just a bit old school like that.
As with many things, consideration, tolerance and respecting the dignity of others is key being a good person or trail user. Too many forget this.
I love seeing well-supervised children on the trails and always try to be encouraging and supportive of this. By well supervised, I mean guided and supported as they need. If children are capable and responsible they can obviously ride on their own!
Some people have time constraints and don't want to be held up by children. Cuts both ways.
Some people have time constraints and don't want to be held up by children. Cuts both ways.
Really? I assume this meant to be sarcasm!
If not then I expect you don't have children!
Nope. Kids have as much right to be there as anyone else. I've been around long enough to see the local kids develop into brilliant riders who now rip my legs off.
If you have time constraints then plan better.
Really? I assume this meant to be sarcasm!
Why?
Some people have time constraints and don't want to be held up by children. Cuts both ways.
Too true, but there's no need to be obnoxious when passing them.
Some people are dicks.Whether riding bikes,walking or just breathing.
I have a final solution.
Some people have time constraints and don't want to be held up by children. Cuts both ways.
Wow!! If that's a serious statement that has to be one of the most disgusting, arrogant and pathetic statements I've read on this forum, and that's saying something! That's a human being your talking about. Would you bundle an elderly lady out the way? Just because they're kids doesn't give them less rights. Once again, Wow!! (Apologies if it was in jest)
Time constraints must be pretty serious if they require a rider to push past kids (or anyone) in a rude and dangerous manner.
Lets hope these rider don't ever get punctures or even crash. That would totally mess with the all important time constraints!
Maybe some [i]fast rider only days[/i] are whats needed to accommodate the impatient?
Some people have time constraints and don't want to be held up by children. Cuts both ways.
I hope I encounter this type of person if I ever take my girls riding and people force past due to 'time constraints' and scaring them. They'll most definitely end up in the bushes pretty sharpish.
I think it's great when parents have got their kids out on the trails with them, they should be given all the time they need not shattering their confidence.
[quote=cinnamon_girl ]Some people have time constraints and don't want to be held up by [s]children[/s] cyclists. Quite a few of those on the roads eh?
Never had an issue out with my kids [ dont ride trail centres though as a general rule] but no one is that much of a rush they cannot wait 10 seconds to get by some kids or any other slower rider they may encounter.
I have to say there would be a very frank exchange of views of someone knocked my child off.
This is Swinley Forest you're talking about?
Yesterday a family were walking on the final bit of the Glentress descent, for those that know it it's the final blind RH into the 'pump' hole - needless to say I did question their sanity...
Who has hacked C-G's account? That comment really doesn't sound like her!
Some people have time constraints and don't want to be held up by children. Cuts both ways.
An incredibly selfish point of view
Who has hacked C-G's account? That comment really doesn't sound like her!
This sounds like an explanation.
I was going to ask her what difference riding in Swinley Forest makes to this issue.
Tis me, been speed-reading and multi-tasking and upsetting plenty. 😳 Sorry, that wasn't intended. No of course it's not alright to crash into children, that is totally unacceptable but just reading back, why was this person, an adult? on a childrens trail? Presumably there were signs?
Don't get me started on dog walkers on singletrack at trail centres. I've had an altercation about that and explained to the owner why but it fell on deaf ears.
[quote=cinnamon_girl ]Tis me, been speed-reading and multi-tasking and upsetting plenty. Sorry, that wasn't intended. No of course it's not alright to crash into children, that is totally unacceptable but just reading back, why was this person, an adult? on a childrens trail? What is a childrens trail? Up here, all our trails are multi-use. Even women are allowed on them.
Best one i've see, sitting eating post ride cake a NantyArian, watching a family of six head off the wrong way up the the final descent. I would not of been happy if I'd was coming down.
[i]What is a childrens trail? Up here, all our trails are multi-use. Even women are allowed on them. [/i]
😀
What is a childrens trail? Up here, all our trails are multi-use. Even women are allowed on them.
I hate getting held up by women on the trail, I have time constraints.
I was on the Glentress Blue with my 6yr old a couple of weeks ago when [s]cinnamon girl[/s] a female with time constraints came flying up behind us just as my son stalled on a little sharp incline. Cue the lady slamming on the brakes and doing a comedy fall as she couldn't un-clip quick enough. I apologised and offered help but she ignored me. I apologised again, she ignored me again. I apologised once more and was once again I gnored as she barged passed us. These people with time constraints are dicks!
As with many things, consideration, tolerance and respecting the dignity of others is key being a good person or trail user. Too many forget this.
Well said!
Is it just me, or has anyone else noticed an increase in this sort of selfish d*ick head behaviour with the increase in popularity of Strava?
I think you must be the very first person to have ever suggested that.
ah, I'm guessing not then?! 😉I think you must be the very first person to have ever suggested that.
Anyway...
[img] https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/E-XKYtYpl4WewYwOpCw5LMFDg8aIFW1Bi3-pNYRGEZX_=w1716-h965-no [/img]
There are some idiots in all walks of life, including cyclists. Its not the activity that defines the person, but the person itself.
I tend to agree that strava does contribute, especially when you see segments on green and blue trails.
Some people have time constraints and don't want to be held up by children. Cuts both ways.
I really don't like kids but even I'm not that much of a ****. 😥
I always thought it good trail etiquette to allow faster riders to pass. It sounds like you should have done this, being the adult.
No I don't have children and I don't like being held up, or holding others up.
If a kid gets in my way, damn right I'm going to knock them off. Important life lesson.
(yes it can be irritating to be held up. Suck it. You are an adult, one of the things about being an adult is that you're supposed to act like one, meanwhile kids are supposed to act like kids. Families should make reasonable allowances too but that doesn't mean leaping for the undergrowth when a faster rider arrives, it just means making a gap where it's safe and reasonable to do so.)
If you're so damn awesome that you can't be delayed, why are you riding a trail that a 6 year old can ride? It does seem to be a rule that the less capable a rider is, the more of a **** they'll be about being held up. Maybe they're just not used to ever catching anyone?
I love being held up...it gives me the perfect excuse for a rest/reason I've been left behind by my mates.
A bit of consideration by all trail users (adults, families, kids) goes along way
I'm assuming the word with 4 asterisks in is ****?
No it's ****.
I always thought it good trail etiquette to allow faster riders to pass. It sounds like you should have done this, being the adult.
No I don't have children and I don't like being held up, or holding others up.
I constantly check behind as I'm very aware that my wee boy might hold up a big grown up while there tanking down a blue run. On this occasion the rider took me by surprise but if she had had any trail etiquette she would have noticed we hadn't seen her.
Personally, I can't understand why anyone would not want any interaction with a litte 'un to be something positive for them, be it a smile, thanking them when they display any manners, or treating them like a person and giving space, even if it means holding back on a trail or allowing them to stagger in front of you in the supermarket.
Personally, I can't understand why anyone would not want any interaction with a litte 'un to be something positive for them, be it a smile, thanking them when they display any manners, or treating them like a person and giving space, even if it means holding back on a trail or allowing them to stagger in front of you in the supermarket.
+1
Anybody with time constraints can hire my 7 year old daughter as a pace setter judging on yesterday's efforts.
I just don't understand how anyone can be anything other than happy to see youngsters out riding regardless of whether it may slow them a little.
There was a 7 year old at BPW the other day who we caught early on riding Terry's Belly. Was great seeing him enjoying himself and we didn't think for a minute of barging past.
I guess it comes down to the same old thing, just because someone rides a bike doesn't mean they are a nice person. Shame.
There was a 3-4 year old at the highest point of the green at Glentrool today. With her balance bike!
HTF can you not interact in a positive way with a kid with that level of determination?
One of my fave wee riding moments was at glentress on the red coming to the end of one of the descents and came across a small lad a bit behind his dad. I should have let him in know I was there but just slowed a bit and let him make his way down. When I passed him on the fire road I told him he had done a great job riding down and his smile said it all. Trouble is while chatting I lost my balance a bit and nearly ended up in a ditch. That had him smiling too!
Young un's deserve an extra bit of respect and space, you never know that kid might be a top rider one day.
I love seeing nippers out on the trails, I'll gladly sit well back while they enjoy the trails and if they want to pull over then I'll give them a congratulatory fist bump or high five and a 'keep being awesome!'
Anyone that wants to gnar past sucks IME.
Very happy to encourage any kids on trails and that includes acting as a buffer* if need be and soaking up the frustration that people with time constraints might have so junior can get on with enjoying their ride...
(I don't have kids, but will do this until I can get a clear pass if I catch up someone out with theirs.... )
You hassle, bump, or hurry any kid on the trail. You're a dick.
TBH it isn't a one way street if you are the parent you also need to be aware of what your kids are doing and in a lot of cases it would be better to let faster riders through.
Also if you are passing kids its often better just to come past quick without shouting, as shouting can cause then to loose focus and concentration.
Also if you are passing kids its often better just to come past quick without shouting, as shouting can cause then to loose focus and concentration.
But scare the shit out of them. But who cares, its not as if their real people!
Trail centres are for leisure riding, if you want to race, sign up for a race, there's loads of them going on all the time...
Also if you are passing kids its often better just to come past quick without shouting, as shouting can cause then to loose focus and concentration.
Indeed everyone prefers it when someone creeps up on them announced and bombs past them startling them. Works with women late at night as well and Horses they love that sort of thing.
Unbelievable. The self centred attitude of some people is just amazing. We are talking about riding bikes off-road, not proper grown up stuff, not racing, not religion and not politics. Holding faster riders up?!? What? Up from what? What is more important in their sorry little lives than in that of the kids? Why should their fun take priority. Were these people hatched? This me, me, me attitude is spreading everywhere and it really grinds my gears (unless single speeding obviously).
[quote=dragon ]TBH it isn't a one way street if you are the parent you also need to be aware of what your kids are doing and in a lot of cases it would be better to let faster riders through.
Well if the faster rider lets you know they're there, then you can find a place which you consider is suitable to let them through.
Is there a parallel universe somewhere where faster riders are complaining about ending up in the bushes because little kids didn't let them through?
You hassle, bump, or hurry any kid on the trail. You're a dick.
You hassle, bump, or hurry any[i]one[/i] on the trail, you deserve a ****ing smack in the pus and five minutes in the naughty corner thinking about what you've done. When you're riding a sodding pushbike for shits and giggles nothing about what you are doing right now is important enough to merit being a git. If you want to go fast, stop and wait and then go again when it's clear.
"Time constraints" my skinny white arse. Jesus.
if you want to race, sign up for a race, there's loads of them going on all the time...
This. Pin a number on or shut the **** up. And even then I've seen some unacceptable bullshit from middle-aged failures giving slower riders serious grief so they can place 5th out of their category of 7 in round three of Bob's Bikes XC Winter Mince Series or something.
You're riding a bike in the woods! It's a ridiculous bit of juvenile fun! Stop being a dick about it!
Never realised there was so many selfish ****s on here. Kids out on trail centres are learning is it really that difficult to wait a couple of minutes FFS
I apologised once more
why did you apologise to [s]cinnamon girl[/s] the time-constrained rider if you did nothing wrong?
having said that, as a parent, some parents need to realize that not everyone needs to share in their little darlings' umbling and fumbling in the middle of the trail/pavement/cinema and the considerate thing to do would be to be aware of the circs and move over!
Might be not getting the gist of what you are saying but to me it sounds like you are riding in front of your little one. If you are I suggest you try riding behind. Much safer for you both IMHO.
Not only are you a more imposing obstacle for rapidly closing riders but I found that the kids were far more motivated when leading as opposed to following.
As always we try and get out of the way if we can. I call "rider" to offspring so as the following rider knows I have seen them. Offspring stops when he feels safe etc.
konabunny - Member
having said that, as a parent, some parents need to realize that not everyone needs to share in their little darlings' umbling and fumbling in the middle of the trail/pavement/cinema and the considerate thing to do would be to be aware of the circs and move over!
We do try, but it can be quite tricky sometimes - the Beast has a habit of steering where she looks and over correcting the steering excessively. Doesn't help when a far more awesome rider on their bridleslayer comes penking past.
If your kid can't ride in a straight line as someone passes I'd query whether they should be at a trail centre.
Some parents are so bloody precious of their kids and don't seem to realise they don't own the place, and do need to be considerate to others.
Nah - not trail centre - just a normal cycleway (Prudhoe to Wylam today) - me riding behind keeping lookout, reminding her to keep over when others approaching etc.
Wouldn't take them to a trail centre as they just get in the way.
[quote=dragon ]Some [s]parents[/s] adults are so bloody precious of their [s]kids[/s] Strava times and don't seem to realise they don't own the place, and do need to be considerate to others.
If your kid can't ride in a straight line as someone passes I'd query whether they should be at a trail centre.
Its the wake that your awesomeness causes as you fly past that creates the real problem. Well that and the over powering smell of testosterone
TBH they dont like crossing your bridge much
Its not rocket science riders should give some extra space and time to inexperienced and vulnerable users be it kids or noobs or whomever.
Parents/ the slower riders let the fast riders pass when appropriate.
Does everything on here need to descend to playground antics?
this sentence is just for the benefit of aracer 😉
If I see a kid on the trail, I'll hang right back so as not to spook or put pressure on them. If I see them struggling, I tell them how well they're doing, and how much better than me they are because I couldn't ride a bike until I was 27. I love seeing kids out riding.
Unless they are actually better than me, in which case I scowl at them and shove sticks in their wheels. Little gits.
If I'm riding at a trail centre with my kids, they go in front of me, not behind.
That way, I keep an ear out for people behind, and any intimidation from impatient riders is born by me, not my kids.
dragon - MemberIf your kid can't ride in a straight line as someone passes I'd query whether they should be at a trail centre.
You're talking about riding past them without warning them, ambushing riders like that can surprise anyone. Even in racing where you're expecting overtakes you've got to do it right or you risk accidents, here you're talking about doing it to a kid, for no reason at all, and blaming them if it goes wrong.
That's all I can say because we're not allowed to insult people, and I really really want to.
I'm so glad I don't have kids. This amount of rage would be very bad for my health.
🙂
Agree on giving kids space. This extends to any newb though.
Also agree there has to be a sensible degree of come and go between both parties. Nobody owns the trails, we all want to be there and enjoy ourselves but you have to be mutually respectful (a bit like the roads really).
I can barely ride in a straight line.
😯 'Kin 'ell. All the big hitters crawled out from under their stones today.
If you don't like being held up by some little'uns for a brief moment whilst you wait for a convenient and safe place to pass stay off the family trails and stick to the gnarly red and black ones.
Interesting to note some of the posters complaining about kids would be the 1st to post/complain/criticise if a car/van/truck on the road didn't pass giving adequate space.
bowglie - Member
Is it just me, or has anyone else noticed an increase in this sort of selfish d*ick head behaviour with the increase in popularity of Strava?
No it's become more prevalent since the huge increase in cycling about 3 or 4 years ago. More people = more idiots. But there have always been idiots.
The time constraints passing a child or slowing down are negligible.
If your day is that pressing then you need to sort out your choices. A good rider will easily make up the time elsewhere anyway.
+1 fin25
If you don't like being held up by some little'uns for a brief moment whilst you wait for a convenient and safe place to pass stay off the family trails and stick to the gnarly red and black ones.
+100
I don't like kids. Don't want any of my own and can't stand them a lot of the time. But when I see kids enjoying themselves on bikes anywhere is just lifts my spirits so much, they've got a lifetime to enjoy riding bikes and their just starting - sweet! I love encouraging them along when I can.
These people who don't like to be held up - on blue trails? Are you kidding me? Get a life and learn some handling skills so you can go on the red routes, they aren't hard.
[quote=Freester ]Interesting to note some of the posters complaining about kids would be the 1st to post/complain/criticise if a car/van/truck on the road didn't pass giving adequate space.
From what I can work out, most of us* big hitters who usually complain about cars not giving enough space are actually on the side of those complaining about other riders not giving kids space. If anything I suspect those who want the kids to get out of their way might be people who take the side of the motorist.
* well I've been accused of that more than once recently, so thought I should probably include myself
I'm not reading this thread and seeing loads of people who think it's ok to shove kids out the way and so on, almost exclusively the opposite. Apart from CG, who I assume didn't read the OP properly and got the wrong end of the stick before posting what appears to be a very out of character response, and a couple of others quite properly playing devil's advocate. But I could be mistaken.
The BadA couple of weeks before we were riding a twisting section cue prat on bike, barely wide enough for 2 bikes, pushes past my 6 year old and causes her to fall. His girlfriend who also passes stops, not a word in communication from him before nudgng past, he stops at the bottom of the hill, I think me looking like I was going to smash him over the head with his bike may of helped. Its not as if this was a red or advanced trail just some prat trying to prove he is king of the MTB on a baby trail.
...Gnarsehole
^ good work
Gnarsehole
Could be my new favourite word