Rocks!
Tell me if this has ever happened to you during a group ride. You’re cruising along and the guy in front of you yells out “low branch!” every time there’s something you need to duck for along the trail. Or he yells out “bridge!” to tell you there’s a 3-foot-wide wooden structure spanning a dry creek bed 18-inches below grade. On a recent ride I even heard someone yell out “log!” which caused me to grind my teeth in frustration – what’s up with all the spoilers?
Yes, calling out obstacles on the mountain bike trail can be both courteous and helpful. For example, there may be unexpected problems ahead (say a newly fallen tree) or even a rider who is stopping abruptly (stopping!). Sometimes it’s a good idea to call out directions at a fork in the trail to keep the group together (right!).
Log!
Still, the whole idea of calling out warnings on the trail seems like a road biking thing to me, like when guys silently point at loose man hole covers or crumbling asphalt for others to avoid. The difference is, we’re mountain bikers – we expect – nay, enjoy – the bumps in the road! Here are three reasons I can do without trail spoilers.
1. I don’t want to know what’s coming up. For me, mountain biking is all about encountering the unexpected and when there are no more surprises left on the trail that usually means it’s time for me to find new dirt. I love the adrenaline rush I get from reacting quickly and making split-second decision making so when I know what’s coming up, that takes some of the fun out of biking for me.
2. Trail warnings break your concentration. I typically focus on picking lines 10-yards ahead of my wheel so to take a mental break to think about what’s coming up beyond that can be dangerous. Ok, so it’s not really that dangerous but it definitely harshes the flow. Do not harsh the flow.
3. Conditions change and everyone is ultimately responsible for themselves. On a recent night ride our group was turning left off a curvy, paved road and after looking both ways I called out “clear” and leaned into the turn. Just as I crossed the yellow line I saw headlights coming around the bend and while I had plenty of time, I realized the guys behind me wouldn’t make it. If they had simply listened to me without looking they would have been hit, long before I could follow up with a “car up.” The point is, even if someone calls out an obstacle, it’s still up to the individual rider to evaluate the situation and make the right decision.
I get that we’re “trying to have a a society here” and I understand that the riders who call stuff out are really trying to be helpful. Just next time – call out “spoiler alert!” before you tell me what’s coming so I can at least cover my ears.
23 Comments
Aug 23, 2011
When riding with better riders, though, I use less warnings. It's all relative for me.
Aug 23, 2011
Logs on the trail...not so much. Unless it is new and around a blind corner.
The stuff head high is always called out by me. I've been knocked silly and off the bike simply for having my head down and I didn't see what the rider in front of me ducked under.
I ride on occasion with a group who call out everything, everytime. Same ride, same logs, same call outs. It is a bit much.
If I pass a rider head on and he says "2 back", I know there are 2 more riders with him coming my way. I find this useful info.
I'd say somewhere in the middle is the answer for me. Somewhere b/n call out everything and call out nothing. Probably a little closer to the call out less side.
Aug 22, 2011
Aug 24, 2011
I do ride with groups of 15-20 a lot and if your in the open or all real close I don't say much about how many are in the group but if we're in the trees and spread out I will let them know.
What ever you decide to do will be wrong for someone, so just do what is considerate trail etiquette.
Aug 22, 2011
Aug 22, 2011
Aug 22, 2011
Aug 22, 2011
Aug 22, 2011
Aug 22, 2011
Aug 22, 2011
Aug 22, 2011
Aug 25, 2011
Aug 22, 2011
Spoilers are certainly more appropriate at night, though still, it's night riding - stuff is gonna surprise the crap out of everyone from time to time. "Stopping" is probably my favorite trail alert, followed closely by "Shit!" (translation: I'm about to fall off my bike.). That one always gets me on the brakes right away.
Oh, and I forgot - Bees! Let's definitely keep calling those out.
Aug 22, 2011
The sissy groomed trails nowadays just don't have many rocks.....
Aug 22, 2011
Aug 22, 2011
I'm still trying to figure out the best brief way to say "I'm going to bail on this and you're right behind me and I know you're going to make it so when I pull off to the side at the last minute, go right ahead and do a back flip over that 4ft diameter log."
Aug 22, 2011
I agree with the "Stopping" and any expletive comment for falling. Those are two things I wouldn't expect on a trail if I rode with a group.
I'm assuming "Rider up" means a rider is up ahead and "Rider back" means someone is approaching the group from the rear?
Aug 24, 2011
Aug 22, 2011
Aug 25, 2011
i often ride alone or small groups, but generally the only calling out of obstacles is generally accompanied with an expletive. for example, "f'n tree", if someone gets tagged by a tree suddenly jumping into the trail and taking a bite out of their shoulder.
they do that at night you know.
Aug 22, 2011
Aug 24, 2011
when it comes down to it, sounds like this article should be more about how to pick your riding partner, which apparently, you dont need one cuz youre such a badass