[Closed] Miitant walkers, and ramblerists

Yes...but then I've also experienced just as many selfish and inconsiderate mountain bikers so it all evens out imo

yes. but I just shake my head and dont let it spoil my ride.

Nah, well no more than I'd expect to.
Is this meant to be a subtle troll analogous to cyclists riding two abreast and impeding the forward progress of driveists on designated automobiling routes.

Someone reported being prodded as an assault? Sweet baby Jesus and the orphans! Sometimes I just despair in humanity

I bet that same person will then be moaning because the police are too busy to properly pursue bike thieves 🙄

have people (walkers cyclists whatever-ists) got nothing better to do than get in the way of other people doing something different to them?

sad.

I heard a rambler prodded a dog.

have people (walkers cyclists whatever-ists) got nothing better to do than get in the way of other people doing something different to them?

YOu can see them a mile off too. They clock you then look away so that they dont have to make eye contact, but you can tell they have no intention of sharing the path by the time you get to where they are.

I find ringing my bell usually allows them to step aside and let me past, I can't think of any occasion when my way has been deliberately blocked. I think its in the eye of the beholder that it can seem that way.

I can't think of any occasion when my way has been deliberately blocked

come ride on the malverns.

Pretty regular occurrence round these parts. A bell does make a huge difference though, which has really surprised me.

only had this once and they were not local on a boat as well. Eventually we minced past them on the grass when there was space about 40 of them.
We got about 30 metres in front of them when one of the guys lost it. He pointed downhill and charged at them on the bike scattering them out the way. A frank exchange of views followed with the ramblers. I did not know him that well and whist I can see his point I never rode with him again.
You get idiots everywhere i just keep saying excuse me please if after a minute or so this fails I either get off and walk past or force my way through dependent on situation.
I did once then block the route sideways with my bike and ask this how this made them feel but it just drew blank looks and seemed to confirm that everything they "knew" about cyclists was correct.
It is mainly old folk that this has happened with
Walkers seem to be friendlier than roadies as a rule 😉

A bell does make a huge difference though, which has really surprised me.

Did me as well, but it is somehow a friendly warning that can be heard at a reasonable distance and allows time to make way. Walkers just are not looking at the path ahead in the way mountain bikers do, as a rider you have to make allowance for the fact that there gaze is fixed according to the speed they are travelling and looking around at different things much more.

I dont think we're talking about the ones that dont hear or see you coming.

We're talking about the ones that deliberately block you knowing full well you're there. It's not a bell issue.

Once, sara and me were on a footpath (it was by a river, we didn't know you couldn't ride on them and TBH you could've driven down it it was so wide), old boy got in our way, and went on and on and on, sara was v rude eventually.

I get my own back on non-cyclingist-erists by organising a race and closing all the footpaths!
Ha!

Yes, has happened to me. Took me a while to realise it was deliberate not just bovine stupidity. I put it down to bitter old men (and women) hating people having more fun than them.

On the other hand, there are many more mountain bikers on the trails these days and not all are considerate as they might be - I know that if I was a horse rider or walker I'd be angry at how some bikers hoon round blind corners or down hills at high speed.

Someone up on box hill has been putting big logs across the path- at first I thought they had artfully fallen but NO! Definite militant behaviour. Made me laugh though, it was so easy to kick em to the side yet must have taken a while to find them!

Ahh horse riders, now there lies the path of true ignorance/arrogance.

oh, I have remembered an occasion when I was deliberately blocked, but she was crazy, jabbering on about bikers crushing beetles or something.

Honestly guys chill the **** out. There's never been an occasion in 20 years of biking when walkers have deliberately blocked my path. Also there's never been an occasion in 20 years of fell walking when I've been surprised or felt threatened by a speeding mountain biker. Not really a big problem is it?

Not really a big problem is it?

Well if it never happens to you then I guess not 🙂

Seems to happen at CX races quite a bit. A lot of races use caity parks where people go to walk their dogs so until the day of the event they're often unaware of anything (no-one ever bothers to read the notices that organisers/the council stick on the gateposts).

So they go round walking their dog on the exact same route that they always use with no regard to the fact that there's a race on. One old woman at Todmorden was REALLY rude to us as we were putting the course up. I'd only heard language like that from drunken soldiers in the past!

Years ago down south a woman did the same, walking her dog right along the middle of the CX race course while the Elite race was on in spite of me first asking, then telling her to get out of the way. "I always walk my dog here!" Yes, there's only another 40 acres of hill to use but you have to be right here...

I despair sometimes.

come ride on the malverns.

Its pretty rare in the week aracer but sunny summer weekends bring them out in droves.

I can only recall one occasion when I was knowingly impeded. Cycling down the canal, some officious pratt said that I was not allowed to cycle along the tow path and that he was a government official. He seemed quite surprised when I offered to tell him my name and contact details and he could report me the relevant authorities! After considering to barge him into the canal (he was starting to annoy me) I managed to get round him. I was amazed at the level of abuse I received from him!

Remember it because it was such a novelty

aracer - normally since I ride either at night or in the rain It's not a problem. But the odd occasions I do go out on a sunny weekend or early evening, it's happened probably 3 or 4 times, in different places. And mostly on BWs too.

There's just grumpy sour sods who live round here who dont believe that anyone else should be out enjoying "their" hills on "their" paths.

Did you ever read the letter in the Gazette from some unbelievable old Meldrew complaining about para-gliders looking down on him in his garden? It's that mentality.

Yeah!!!!!! I was Ridding along on the towpath near Bath once when I saw some proper rambler types up ahead, walking along 2 a breast with their backs to me, blocking the path!!!!!! So I slowed down and said a cheery "hello!" to which they replied "haven't you got a bell?", to which I replied "no, I find saying hello a more friendly approach and ringing a bell a bit impersonal." to which they replied "ok then", to which I replied "have a nice day" to which they replied "you too". It was a bit of a non event, like this thread.

I think some people are just angry and when they meet angry people without bikes, confrontation ensues.

Yes it is that attitude stoner they are aware of their rights but not yours.
When I owned a narrowboat one old boy who bought a new house that backed on to the canal. He once came and complained that I moored my boat on the canal and parked my car on the road.
I explained that he should have forseen this issue when he bought a house on a road that backed on to a canal ..he thought i was rude.

project - Member
It seems as if a certain minority of walkers, and ramblerists are now blocking [b]designated cycle routes[/b], by walking (eg walking side by side) without due concern for cyclists using [b]designated cycle routes[/b]

I can never understand this mentality. For one thing it's damned annoying when you are out walking and have somebody on a bike constantly hovering behind you.

I guess it is the same small minded idiots who stretch string across the trails 😡

some people are just inconsiderate asshats.

law of averages dictates that some asshats will have red socking as their hobby.

i don't let it spoil my fun or my awesomeness.

You're always going to run into the mentals in every walk of life, whether you're on a bike or trying to get past some bloke blocking the overtaking lane of the M25 at 65mph (yes, I've seen this happen too).

It's not worth getting annoyed with them, because the old goats are out for confrontation.

I was out a while back minding my own buisiness on a local bridleway when a woman in her late fifties pulled over in front of me in her Vauxhall Corsa, jumped out and started to quiz me on where I was intending to ride, dropping in veiled threats about prosecution for riding on footpaths etc. I cheerily replied that I was going to use the bridleways as per my right and with a nod and a wink pointed out that obstruction was also an offence and that perhaps parking a Corsa on a bridleway wasn't the most environmentally considerate act.

I've never seen her since, so I can only assume that she wasn't local.

where do you have priority over pedestrians?

Not had intentional blocking, just stupid walkers and especially stupid dog walkers. Sure, it's fine to walk / dog-walk on the #15 bike path, but if you do, expect that there's gonna be cyclists... coming from [u]both[/u] directions. Don't clock me, turn away, and assume that because I am no longer in your field of view that I no longer exist! And if yer walking yer dog, and it's rummaging around in the undrgrowth, don't call it to cross the path in front on me! Either tell the "dog" (my cat was bigger) to sit/stay, or walk on the erm same side of the path as it!. Came --><-- that close to hitting one. No make that closer than that. Paws under the side of my tyre kind of close. If I'd have been on a commuter bike with rim brakes, it would have been messy.

Seen some paths blocked by logs, but tbh they're all (illegal?) cheeky trails on very sandy ground that got wrecked by MTBers in a very short time. Bits of tree were laid along the path. Although now the undergrowth is dying back a bit, I see a new path going around it 🙄

Nordic walkers are worst. They can't hear cyclists over their clack clack clack of sticks on gravel. And are always 2/3/4 abreast.

/rant.

where do you have priority over pedestrians?

where do you have priority over pedestrians?

where do people have the right to claim everything for themselves when there are resources for all to share ?

where do people have the right to claim everything for themselves when there are resources for all to share ?

When you're from the USA.

/politics

where do you have priority over pedestrians?

Where do pedestrians have the right to block my lawful activity?

some walkers are also reported as being threatening, and a cyclist was recently prodded

I would have snapped the bloody finger in 2

mogrim - Member

"where do you have priority over pedestrians?"

Where do pedestrians have the right to block my lawful activity?

On any path as they have priority at all times?

stop being contrary TJ.

Priority, yielding and blocking are all different.

Use your bell. I know that this is not "cool" and most of you will not want the extra weight.
I "ting ting" about 50 yards away and almost all walkers look around and step aside. Every ride I go on, I use my bell and at least twice a ride, the walkers say "I wish every cyclist used a bell".
They get advanced warning, in a non-threatening way and the whole process is much smoother. I then make sure that I say "hi" and "thank you".
I have not experienced a walker problem this year and I ride 6+ hours per week, other than one complete idiot for whom the three of us had stopped, stood aside and said "good morning".

tony, go back through the thread. We're not talking about ting-ting problems. But belligerent trail blockers.

On any path as they have priority at all times?

There's having priority and there's just being a dick for no reason though isn't there. I must say it's very very rarely a problem for me though.

One thing that really annoys me though is when walkers get out of the way for bikers and they don't say thank you.

Do they have priority at all times on cycle only (i.e. not shared use) paths or trail centres?

if it's a right of way zokes, yes.

If, however, its a permissive path dedicated for bike use by the landowner, then I dont think the pedestrian can rely on any rights of priority. To start with they may even be trespassing.

I use a bell all the time BUT the amount of times after ringing for ages and saying hello I get people saying "I wandered what that ringing noise was!" FFS

Good thread though. The OP has got a debate going without outlining what sort of path/track the supposed event might have taken place.

stop being contrary TJ.

Priority, yielding and blocking are all different.

[img] [/img]

[url= http://www.narrowboatworld.com/index.php/leatest/3668-anglers-and-cyclists-fall-out ]Don't get mad, get even :-)[/url]

I have never had this happen but like Tonyd5000 I use a bell.

Seriously how many of you that experience this are not using bells?

Sorry TJ. You're quite right. It hasnt happened to you, [i]ergo[/i] it never happens. 🙄

Damn my over-active imagination.

Stoner - do you use a bell? I do and I believe it goes a huge way into smoothing the way.

However as usual no one can have a different opinion to you or a different experience can they?

How about being polite[i] and using a bell[/i]

Ask me in a bell thread. Coz this isnt a bell thread. HTH.

Stoner -= read my edit above.

You do show a huge amount of arrogance.

calm down boys

[i]You do show a huge amount of arrogance.[/i]

could be equally applied to lots of people, yourself included. 🙄

*Adopts Brian Glover stance*

[img] [/img]

OI! You two!! Pack in the bickering! Or I'll come and bang your bloody heads together. You've been warned!!

TJ as mentioned I do use a bell and still encounter obstreperous ramblers on the malverns.

Ride at 'em full pelt screaming "AAAARGH! LOOK OUT! NO BRAKES!" That'll get the buggers out of the way...

Ta - still as big an issue?

I really believe that not using a bell really annoys ramblers - dunno why but thats the way it appears to be

We're talking about the ones that deliberately block you knowing full well you're there. It's [s]not[/s] a bell-end issue.

No bell, so gently tinkling in the style of a middleclass englishwoman isn't going to wok for me. However, I do find a large lungful of air
and
"FEKFEKFEK MY BRAKES HAVE FAILED GERROUTMYWAY" seems to work. As does
"HEY, YOU , CHUBBY, OUT THE WAY" which makes most of them pause and look round

EDIT - beaten to it by mintimperial - damn you tasty chocolate hazelenut spread and banana roll

However as usual no one can have a different opinion to you or a different experience can they?

😆
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TJ not using a bell annoys them, using a bell annoys some of them as well. with *some people* you can't win sometimes. Most people are fine.

thats it really

emsz +1

Personally I think a bell is the type of sound that has no place in the countryside. Unlike my Hope Pro II hub 😉

I suspect the different attitudes to land access may have as much to do with the TJ/Stoner dichotomy as the use or lack of a bell.

Basically, a path is a path here in Scotland - if you can walk it, you can ride it, so there's not the same irritation amongst walkers if you pass them on a bike. I've had one or two grumpy ramblers on the Forth/Clyde canal towpath, but never had a problem when I've been a bit further afield, even in well used places like Mugdock Pk or Aberfoyle. I don't use a bell most of the time, but I do tend to slow down and ask politely if I can squeeze by - by and large it seems to be a mindset that most people absorb as part of the long heritage of more open land access here in Scotland.

beaten to it by mintimperial

Sorry...

Seriously though folks, don't shout at grumpy old ramblers: their blood pressure is invariably incredibly high due to a combination of eating too much Kendal mint cake, reading the Daily Mail, and getting all het up about other people using their beloved Great Outdoors for actually having fun in. Sudden shocks caused by hollering cyclists can cause them to drop dead on the spot. A sustained campaign of bellowing at old ramblers could send the entire species extinct in a matter of months, and then what would we have to whinge about, hm?

From the Ramblers website:

[i]11. Are pedal cyclists allowed on public paths?
[b]Pedal cyclists have a right to use bridleways, restricted byways and byways open to all traffic, [u]but on bridleways they must give way to walkers and riders[/u][/b]. Like horse riders, they have no right to use footpaths and if they do so they are committing a trespass against the owner of the land....[/i] etc etc.

Join the ramblers, infiltrate from within!
[url= http://www.ramblers.org.uk/ ]Join here:[/url]

their blood pressure is invariably incredibly high due to a combination of eating too much Kendal mint cake, reading the Daily Mail

[b]LOOKOUT SWARTHY SKINNED INDIVIDUAL WHO IS DOUBTLESS SOME FORM OF BENEFIT SCROUNGING GAY TERRORIST COMING THROUGH[/b]

..and another one bites
..and another one bites
another one bites the dust

I was walking along the canal in Chester a few weeks ago and heard a strange noise, the noise was repeated several times and I saw no reason to do anything, but I couldn't work out what the noise was. A rather unhappy cyclist shot past me and I thought about how far a nice polite 'excuse me' would have gone. Have people forgotten how to be polite? Or is the more demanding sharp blast on a car horn or ring of a bell the new polite?

TandemJeremy - Member

However as usual no one can have a different opinion to you or a different experience can they?

[img] [/img]

someone got it 🙂

Years ago out of the corner of my eye I saw a rambler bounding through the undergrowth on an intercept course towards me, having come from a footpath shouting at me that I was not allowed to cycle there. When he got to within about 10metres of me I saw him disappear up to his waist in a small bog!

After incurring more of his wrath for bursting out laughing and after helping him out, I walked with him back to my bike where he was able to see that I was in fact on my private tarmaced driveway cycling back to my house, not on a parallel footpath like he assumed!

someone got it

boom! in with the edinburgh defence. back o' the net....

TandemJeremy - Member
Seriously how many of you that experience this are not using bells?

On some bridleways close to me the sound of 'ting ting' is the signal for single file walkers to move to 2 abreast, reel out their extendable dog leads and generally become slow moving obstacles.

Any other time I would always give way/stop for groups of walkers but in these cases I just adopt the elbows out/head down approach - I'm the one wearing pads/helmet, they're the ones with brittle bones.

I have a bell but hardly ever use it. It just seems rude to me and shouting excuse me frightens the life out of folk.

Never had too many problems over the years though..

Occasionally, I mean very rarely, do I encounter stroppy walkers, most that I come across are there for the same reason as I am, enjoying myself/themselves.
If an encounter does exhist it's normally because they've been "buzzed" by some fat lad wobbling along after his father on some of the "family" trails that dot around a local wood (that I use to get through to another far better, but further, trail network)
Only once have I been stopped by someone, he wasn't a walker but a "landowner", that was an encounter where the Police got involved (the landownver took the law into his own hands and blocked the pathways)

.

I normally shout 'on your left' at the top of my voice. That normally does the trick. Works particularly well with horse riders.