XC racing etiquette

i figured you had done a downhill race or two northwind and know how vigerous people shout at dh races about riders coming up behind.

what im suggesting is that if you do that at an xc race youll be called names when your caught up…. ive seen it in the past – i how ever am trying too hard these days to keep up i dont have the breath to participate in said name calling

a true elite rider can sneak up behind pass and ride off without mortals even noticing …. ala mr barnes 😀

In my experience there are three types of rider:

Much faster than you: Generally these guys fly past with such skill and speed that they don’t even need to call.

Much slower than you: Good chance these guys will pull over anyway, but otherwise I wait until there is ample room to pass because they can react very unpredictably when you call.

About the same speed as you: Simply no need to pass on singletrack.

Otherwise just use common sense. Don’t be pushy and rude, and try not to get too upset if someone else is. Remember, although it’s a race it’s not a matter of life and death, it’s supposed to be FUN!

Of course it has to be reasonable & safe, that’s obvious!

But don’t be delibratley difficult & hold someone up just because they are faster than you, that’s ridiculous & pathetic..

Big n daft I’ve known all sorts of sh1t go down between riders (on the course!) who don’t get on. It doesn’t happen often but it happens I promise.

a true elite rider can sneak up behind pass and ride off without mortals even noticing …. ala mr barnes

I couldn’t agree more…the problem comes when you get riders who aren’t as good as they think they are either being passed or trying to pass.. I know there are plenty of riders out there who are quicker than me & I have no problem being passed by them. Actually I’ve had very little grief with other racers, I’m always a little surprised to hear folk whinging about it..

Big n daft I’ve known all sorts of sh1t go down between riders (on the course!) who don’t get on. It doesn’t happen often but it happens I promise.

Which is obviously stupid and no way to grow the sport.

If people are being idiots report it to the commissaire and organisers. If the commissaire doesn’t take action the organiser probably will. Nothing discourages new people from continuing in a sport than a threatening undertone to the racing.

Zero tolerance of threatening behavior and violence is the only way

Much faster than you: Generally these guys fly past with such skill and speed that they don’t even need to call.

Much slower than you: Good chance these guys will pull over anyway, but otherwise I wait until there is ample room to pass because they can react very unpredictably when you call.

About the same speed as you: Simply no need to pass on singletrack.

Good answer. In 3-4 seasons of XC racing I have only had 1-2 incidents where people didnt fall into these cateogories.

The only one I really remember was one was a guy who seemed just a bit (not a lot) quicker than me on flats (not even on climbs). (Had tubless when it was new with Crow tyres)

However he was alot slower on singletrack he’d over take me then slow me down on the single track. On one straight I managed to over take him as I had so much energy coming out of the singletrack, but then he started to come back near the end of the straight. I deliberatly forced him to go so wide that I just beat him to the next singletrack entrance.

Bit bad perhaps but I managed to pull away from him after that singletrack as he wasnt that much quicker on the open ground to catch me again. I saw him after the race and said sorry he did seem a bit annoyed but said it was fair enough as I managed to pull away eventually. If I had not managed to pull away, I’d have looked like a right plank though.

Which is obviously stupid and no way to grow the sport.

It was 2 pros as well…or at least high-end sponsored riders. I tried to chase them so I could watch it kick off but there was no way I could keep up, they were flying & calling each other all sorts of things. Plainly no love lost between them!

I don’t know what happened to them in the end but when I got back after my lap someone else from my team (in a different cat) knew of it so I assume it was dealt with..

In my experience there are three types of rider:

Much faster than you: Generally these guys fly past with such skill and speed that they don’t even need to call.

Much slower than you: Good chance these guys will pull over anyway, but otherwise I wait until there is ample room to pass because they can react very unpredictably when you call.

About the same speed as you: Simply no need to pass on singletrack.

^this.

In ‘proper’ XC (rather than Enduro/24 type events), people are mostly polite and reasonable. The eejits tend to congregate at the 24 hour races IME.

In my first season I used to move over the instant someone called until I went OTB’s moving over in singletrack and the ‘elite’ rider didn’t even stop. Now they can wait until there is a safe place to give ground, even if they shout several times, not putting myself at risk so they can gain a couple of seconds.

On a related note – what is the deal with the crowds that gather on the first bit of singletrack on the first lap (these days I normally get ahead of it). I always waited politely till it clears, but several guys go off track round the outside or pick the bike up and run. Is that fair? It can be a significant delay sometimes.

…but several guys go off track round the outside or pick the bike up and run…

That’ll be me, apart from the going off track bit.
It’s a race. If I can get past someone by carrying my bike through the brambles, without leaving the course and without causing any danger to other riders, I will.

“on your right please“

overtake, then “thank you”

I find works when over taking or being over taken.

The only bad incident I remember was at an enduro of some kind I think at Margam where there was a massive bottleneck around the sharp right hander down towards the big oak tree with the cushion on it (everyone who’s raced there should know it). Everyone tried to force their way past everyone else even though if there’d been an orderly queue no-one would have lost race position. Loads of people were trying to ride around the queue and force their way through at the front. Bang out of order imo.

1. Install Hope Pro 2 or similar loud hub
2. Back pedal when approaching a slowing rider
3. If 2 doesn’t work then huff/tutt loudly
4. When finally being allowed to pass mumble “for f*ck’s sake!” just loud enough under your breath.

I’ve done a bit of most styles of racing and as a middling rider I’ve been overtaken and done a bit of overtaking too.

I’m pretty accomodating when it comes to being overtaken. I’ll generally move right off the trail if possible. The only incident I can remember was at the Tweedlove Enduro, final stage right near the end. I guy caught me and shouted “ON YER RIGHT” as I was already on the right side I just held my line (it was on a bend) I got swore at for my trouble, I thought this was prety poor form.

Yah, I’d view that as poor… The whole “on your right” means “Please be aware I’m coming past in the gap you’ve left, you might want to move if you can to make things easier” not “I have decided to pass you on the right, even though there’s no gap. You shall move to make this possible”.

Suppose it’s like car indicators. Some folks think indicating means other people should get out of their way, but most folks understand that it’s purely to let other road users know what you plan to do.

On a downhill section, not a chance. I’m riding a rigid singlespeed and concentrating on the trail and going as fast as I can. If you are riding a Gorrick and are behind me entering the Labyrinth then you will be behind me at the bottom. I normally allow people to pass on the flat and can beat most uphill. But downhill, no.

Those who are in the category of being able to realistically shout eilte/pro rider coming through tend to fall in to what I call the “WTF was that just passed me” category because the just pass you without any fuss whatsoever.

Joe Barnes is very good at finding obscure overtaknig lines.

I am usually happy for people to come past as long as they are nice about it – or sound genuinely harassed.

When over taking I am usually on someone else’s tail so we go past as a pair with a nice ‘and another please!’ on my own I tend to wait for a nice opportunity then make my presence known and go. Sometimes people will hear me behind them and offer to let me past, sometimes I accept, others I just politely decline and sit in for a bit.

And if you overtake in a dodgy way for heavens sake make it stick!!!

It’s a bit of give and take – if there’s no opportunity for them to pass, then tough titty… If, however, you are swerving to block them, you deserve a “road rash” style kick as they pass!
Reminds me of the time I was hung up behind a sweet young lady (I.e sloooow) on a section of HTN this year. Zero chance of passing – it was like a ” V ” gulley – one rider only type thing.. Some racer type then screeches up behind me and shouts “rider”… ” go on then” I said…”but there’s no way past” Cue foul language onslaught! Some people……

DrP

Some racer type then screeches up behind me and shouts “rider”… ” go on then” I said…”but there’s no way past” Cue foul language onslaught! Some people……

strange, it wasn’t even a race in 2012 IIRC 😉

the simple solution is not invite the rider to enter future events. The organiser has the absolute right to decline their entry.

It will help if you expect to be held up at certain points it just goes with the territory.
A good recce might help

I always take ‘rider left/right’ as a warning that they are coming through.
I’ve never in my life expected anyone to get out of my way, but some seem happy to do so anyway.

Once soloing at Catton I was on the double track (more like a grassy fire road) I was right over to the right and the rider that came up behind me shouted ‘rider on the right’ I said you’re joking right? ‘no mate ON YOU’RE RIGHT’ I told him what he was and beat him up that first hill at Sleepless. Never saw him again. So I think it pays to be polite at 24s

I always make sure I get out of the way for faster riders, I’m under no illusions as to my ability and to be fair 99% of them are uber-polite.

I’d probably be a little bit miffed and possibly even spooked if somebody was trying to pass me on a downhill though, depending on the type of downhill I suppose.

Whether I’m overtaking or being overtaken the pass will only happen on a safe place. Most races I have done have asked that you move over if asked (shouted at).

In my experience there are three types of rider:
Much faster than you: Generally these guys fly past with such skill and speed that they don’t even need to call.

Much slower than you: Good chance these guys will pull over anyway, but otherwise I wait until there is ample room to pass because they can react very unpredictably when you call.

About the same speed as you: Simply no need to pass on singletrack.

I normally call for those much slower but not in places where they would need to move just to warn them I’m coming through. Those about the same speed as me need to get passed my elbows, it’s a race after all.

If someone shouts RIDER at me then they generally get the response “so am I”

Papa_Lazarou – Member
“on your right please”

overtake, then “thank you”

I find works when over taking or being over taken.

Works well in my experience too

Wow…you must hear that a lot at cx races 😉

Since you mention Relentless specifically, I’ll talk about that. I’ve been on the podium for the last four years in a row at Relentless and the way to do it is to be safe. Yes, every second counts but over a 24 hour period the time you lose on a descent is minimal compared to the overall. I will always ask, but I tend to wait until a calmer stretch and always “Please can I come by when it’s safe?”

You have to make it clear that you don’t mind if they don’t move NOW. And people will always move quicker for polite people. I have only been passed once or twice on the descents but from what I remember folk were polite and would say “On your left please”. I move over, they crack on. People are expecting to be passed, it is a race, but there’s no point pressuring people into moving over on techy bits as in the end they will slow down a lot, slowing you down more and overall losing you time.

Make sure you say your thank yous and get on with it, it is racing after all, but pick your moment to ask and don’t bother if you’re in the last 200m.

I will shout “rider” if I’m a long way away to let someone know I’m coming before a techy bit, or if I’m hooning along one of the fireroads and a slower rider is about to enter a downhill at the end of it when I’m faster than them so they don’t enter it before me, but it’s rare and I always make my thanks clearer if I do that.

As mentioned, coming up shout “on your left/right” and pass appropriately.

What about if someone is on your tail and you hold them up to a sharp rise and momentarily slow right down as soon as you’re at the crest. Chap behind will then put their feet down / loose a few seconds. Is that allowed? Just blocking isn’t it?

😉 Possibly. 😉

Ewan, do you know me? 😆

I may have done that in XC racing… It’s competing, you don’t let folk sail past in an XC race.

24hr fair enough.

Rorschach – Member
Wow…you must hear that a lot at cx races

Every couple of seconds from lap 2 onwards 🙂

Please and thank you will get you very far.

What about if someone is on your tail and you hold them up to a sharp rise and momentarily slow right down as soon as you’re at the crest. Chap behind will then put their feet down / loose a few seconds.

Got to say that truely pissed me off in my first season / most of my second till my more experienced mate said it was my own fault for riding too close to their wheel. Just chill out leave them a gap of a second or so and it won’t be an issue.

And if they’re in your category have a quick trackstand on any such rises. Instant gap.

Got to say that truely pissed me off in my first season / most of my second till my more experienced mate said it was my own fault for riding too close to their wheel. Just chill out leave them a gap of a second or so and it won’t be an issue.

Wise words. As I said earlier slower riders are to be expected, and a recce helps.
See in your first season you were coming to a halt and getting pissed off, neither of which are good in a race.

Reminds me of a new road rider we have who keeps pointing down to drains. There’s no need, yes they can be a hazard but they are also a given.

Reminds me of a new road rider we have who keeps pointing down to drains. There’s no need, yes they can be a hazard but they are also a given.

Really? Plenty of groups I’ve ridden with expect you to point out drains/potholes/parked cars. I think it’s pretty stupid, I’m happy to use my eyes and my mad skillz, but bit weird to berate someone for doing it!

Reminds me of a new road rider we have who keeps pointing down to drains. There’s no need, yes they can be a hazard but they are also a given.

If you ride in a chaingang or a road race it is expected and important. Smaller groups, 2-3 its not needed as much as riders have a better view of the road ahead but when you are in a big group everyone is pretty much relying on the first rider to warn of hazards ahead.