Trail Diplomacy: The Simple Path to Mountain Biking's Future

mergs

Spokompton's Finest
JORBA.ORG
There is a lot of fantastic information in this article "Trail Diplomacy: The Simple Path to Mountain Biking's Future" below.

I think what I like most about this is that it talks quite honestly about trail etiquette and why certain things "are they way they are". Many people like to argue these points ad infinitum usually on a basis that all issues should be black and white. Yet in our world, everything is full technicolor, and this article does a good job in talking about that.

For example, ever wonder why mountain bikers yield to all other users? Read on. Ever wonder why we are told on one hand that we have to yield but we all know that eventually we still need to pass? How do you do both? Ever wonder why a walker sometimes gets really startled by a rider, even though the rider feels that they are creeping along? Ever wonder why equestrians can be very sensitive on how we act around them on-trail? Well, read on: :D
 

mergs

Spokompton's Finest
JORBA.ORG
Trail Diplomacy: The Simple Path to Mountain Biking's Future

IMBA's website contains more than 800 pages of helpful information relating to trail design, construction, maintenance and management. Visitors to imba.com also find great advice on sustaining volunteer groups and working with government officials.

But since IMBA's goal is to assure a bright future for mountain biking, perhaps our website would be equally effective if it included nothing more than hundreds of consecutive pages on which the following words appeared in huge type:

BE NICE TO THE PEOPLE YOU MEET ON THE TRAIL.

We're kidding...but not really. What happens when we meet and pass people - especially hikers and horse riders - is the most important factor in shaping trail access.

While most trail users around the country say they're satisfied with their experiences on shared trails, some say they've been scared by close encounters with mountain bikers and are reluctant to walk on trails that are heavily used by cyclists. (Of course, the reverse is true: mountain bikers shy from paths packed with walkers because it's hard to find a rhythm and roll smoothly.)

These concerns are real and must be addressed--though not by closing trails to mountain bikers, except as a last resort. Thankfully, there are dozens of ways to reduce trail-user conflict that are less severe.

Nevertheless, we believe that conflict between different types of trail users is the root of most trail closures. Most concerns about erosion--which is the other main category of complaints about mountain biking--can be addressed by proper trail design and regular trail maintenance.

Thankfully, interaction on the trail is one element of our sport that we have the power to control. If all of us (realistically, most of us) can improve the way we pass hikers and equestrians, land managers will hear fewer complaints. Fewer complaint will mean fewer trail closures. It's that simple.

Interpreting the Rules

IMBA's globally recognized Rules of the Trail include the concept "Yield the Trail." Yielding, by IMBA's definition, means "slow down, communicate with the people you meet, be prepared to stop, and pass safely."

Let's look briefly at each of these elements. If you're riding eight miles an hour and a hiker is walking two miles an hour, it's easy to to understand why the walker may be intimidated by your approach at speed. If you're riding 15 miles an hour and you slow to eight, you'll feel like you've slowed dramatically, but the hiker may still see you as a fast-moving threat. That's why slowing a little more than what seems natural is an important element of a well-executed pass.

Communicating on the trail is an art, particularly when you are approaching hikers or equestrians from behind. They're savoring the quiet of the woods just as you are. Do you shout, "Hi?" Do you strike a bell? Do you flick a brake lever? There's no set rule, but there clearly is a difference between a deftly announced approach and a last second "On your left!" Timing, volume and tone are everything.

Be prepared to stop. There's no question that if every mountain biker stopped, dismounted and stood at the side of the trail every time we met a hiker or equestrian that trail-user conflict would be reduced - in fact, nearly eliminated. But another consequence would be an end to mountain biking as we know it.

Many of us would quit the sport, particularly those of us who live near big cities and have no choice but to ride on crowded trails. An occasional dismount is reasonable, but if we have to stop every 20 seconds and get off our bikes, we'll quickly search for other, less-crowded trails. And if we can't find any, we'll buy a season pass at the community swimming pool. If mountain biking isn't fun, why bother?

IMBA believes strongly in shared-use trail systems. But if paths are so jammed that no one--hikers, mountain bikers or equestrians--can relax and get into the flow, separate routes are a better option than severely restricted access. In crowded cities, single-use trails are a viable solution.

Here's the reality of a typical on-the-trail passing situation: two or three mountain bikers approach two hikers, the mountain bikers say "hi," the hikers step gracefully to the side, and the mountain bikers roll smoothly through...and everyone is basically content. The yield came when the mountain bikers slowed down, looked at the hikers, said "hi" and read the situation to decide if dismounts were necessary. In most cases, they're not...but in a few--particularly when meeting horses--they are essential.

If mountain bikers truly and completely yielded to hikers, we'd follow them home, trailing just behind. The reality is that the pass must occur.

Privately, many mountain bikers wish the rules of the trail could be rewritten to read "hikers yield to mountain bikers." After all, it's so easy for hikers to step aside and it's more difficult for us to brake, slow way down clip, fully out of our pedals, dismount and stop. This would be a practical change and a more accurate reflection of what really happens out on the trail.

The problem of such a switch is its symbolic message. Walking remains the simplest trail activity. It is quiet, generally (though not always) has the lowest impact, and is available to all able-bodied people. Its tradition began when the first monkey stood upright--several years before Gary Fisher was born. Walkers were on the trail first...and in our system of values, that matters.

Yielding protocol is also designed to promote safety. In an abrupt meeting between cyclist and hiker, the foot traveler is more vulnerable. In any trail gathering, the person sitting six feet off the ground atop a horse has a long way to fall if the pass doesn't go well.

Respect remains important. Anything we can do to make sure our fellow trail visitors have good experiences is going to help us in the end. If we can find ways to do this without taking much away from our own experiences, so much the better. This is the challenge.

Relations on the trail remain key to the future of mountain biking. That's why IMBA is pleased to present this special section filled with ideas on ways we can reduce our impact on others and on the land.

Riding with respect for the land is relatively straightforward. Volunteering for trailwork is a no-brainer. Supporting your local land manager: who wouldn't, so long as they're supporting mountain biking?

It's the meeting and greeting part of our sport that requires more attention. Think about it, then read what we have to say on the following page.
 

mergs

Spokompton's Finest
JORBA.ORG
Continued...

The Trail Care Crew's Perspective

We asked well traveled Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew leader Joey Klein for his perspective on how trail design can ensure that we all get along.

Where have you seen good trail design help minimizing user conflict?

The Buffalo Park and Elden Mountain trail system in Flagstaff, Arizona, are great examples of trail systems that minimize trail conflict. Both are minutes from downtown Flagstaff, but because of their high-quality construction, user conflict is minimal. The trails starting from the parking lot are wide and free flowing with long sight lines. The first few miles of trail on any system are always the most heavily used, so wider pathways that allow amply passing room are desirable. After a few miles, trail users at Buffalo Park have the choice to head for the more challenging trails up to Elden Mountain. These trails are twisty, rocky and narrow but still have long sight lines. Technical trails slow mountain bikers and provide highly desirable challenge. Buffalo Park and Elden Mountain combine slow, technical trails with flowing, open trails and great sight lines to almost eliminate user conflict.

What role can trail layout play in reducing user conflict?

Proper trail design can mitigate any user conflict. The best trail systems provide shared use opportunities for a range of ability levels. The design of a trail dictates how trail users experience that space. Long, smooth, straight stretches of trail are great for beginners but will encourage speed. Twisty, rough and technical sections give advanced riders challenge while keeping speed down. A good trail system has a mixture of "open and flowing" and "tight and technical" trails. Also, in areas with large population bases, single or double use trails can be the best solution.

What are some specific techniques that can help minimize user conflict?

Trails that are too fast can be altered by texturing the tread or bringing obstacles in to make the tread more twisty. Heavily used trails should be wide, but rough and twisty to slow people. Good sight lines are key; if vegetation and obstacles are waist high it keeps users on the trail and allows them to scan over the top for other trail users. Trail junctions should be in open areas so people have time see each other. It's important that all trail users work with land managers to create trail solution that work for everyone.

Communication is Key

Some mountain bikers have mastered technical riding. They are able to negotiate the hairiest sections with grace and style. Other riders are masters of the downhill - launching over rocks and drops without fear. Climbing specialists can stomp their way to the top of a hill with half the effort it takes the rest of us. But more important that strong climbing, technical or downhill skill is mastering the art of the pass - being able to deftly move among hikers and equestrians with the ease of a politician, the grace of a dancer and the good will of an ambassador.

If every rider exercised proper passing etiquette, mountain bikers would be welcome almost everywhere. Land managers wouldn't bristle at the thought of opening trails to bicyclists. Hikers and equestrians would keep an open seat at the trail planning tables - inviting our participation.

The old cliché is true: you never get a second chance to make a first impression - on hikers, horseback riders, trail runners or other mountain bikers. Chances are, trail users with the strongest anti-mountain biking mentalities were probably incited by unpleasant interactions with inconsiderate mountain bikers.

Even after 25 years, mountain biking is still perceived as one of the newest sports on the trail. It's important that we work to counter the negative and false image that mountain bikers are out-of-control and insensitive. The trick is to find a balance between respecting other trail users and enjoying our off-road riding experience.

The elements of a perfectly executed pass include slowing down, being prepared to yield the trail, communicating a plan and passing safely.

Every time we pass another trail user, we have the power to make it a positive experience. It is the single greatest thing we can do for the future access of our sport.

Low Impact Riding Techniques for the X(TR) Generation

It used to be that newbies were lowest on the mountain biking totem pole. Beginners or "freds" didn't get much respect. Times have changed. Nowadays the least respected riders are the ones who threaten our future trail access with their bad behavior. Follow these IMBA soft riding tips and you'll not only avoid the wrath of your fellow riders, you'll help keep trails open for mountain biking.

Respect. It's all about respect. Treat the trail like the valuable treasure that it is. Same goes for other trail users - respect them and they'll return the favor.

Ride softly. Dirt holds a special place in the heart of mountain bikers, so be kind to it. Don't skid; adjust your braking to the soil and terrain. Float over the trail. Ride like a ghost, not a bag of anvils. Pass through unnoticed and silently.

Keep trails narrow. Notice how some popular mountain bike trails grow wider every year? Make it a game to stay directly in the center of the trail at all times. Take corners carefully to avoid blowing off line. Stay off trailside plants. Ride over rocks, logs and waterbars instead of around them. Despite the popularity of recent videos showcasing extreme off-trail riding, most of us ride only on established routes and want to make sure they are around and still narrow for years to come.

Say no to mud. Riding when the trail is muddy can cause tremendous damage. Find trails in your town that are durable and drain well and ride these when it's wet. Volunteer to help your local club build tougher trails that withstand rain. Plan your pilgrimage to Moab during your local wet season. Get a road bike.

Tone down your riding outfit. Ever notice how anti-cyclists love to use the phrase "... and then this neon clad biker ran me right off the trail"? Day-Glo billboards may work at the mall, but on the trail earth tones have less impact. It also helps if you don't run people off the trail.

Be quiet! Learn how to adjust your brakes so they don't squeal. Do something about that rattling seat pack full of wrenches and chain links. Deaden chain slap with a chain stay protector. Don't hoot and holler. Exception: Get a bell and use it, but not right in a hiker's ear. Ring it once at 50 feet and then don't touch it - instead use your mouth to say hello. Don't use bells if horses are around, unless you're certain they'll react well.

Good etiquette extends to the trailhead. Keep that thumping car stereo turned down, and resist the urge to imitate the Duke boys slinging gravel as you peel out in your quest for post-ride pizza and brews.

Quick Tips: Don't ride in large groups. Don't get lost. Pick up trash. Ride busy trails during off-peak hours. Don't ride fast on popular hiking trails. (Speed good: Bozo bad.) Don't do unauthorized trailwork.

posted with permission of IMBA.com. Source:
http://www.imba.com/resources/bike_management/trail_diplomacy.html
 
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mergs

Spokompton's Finest
JORBA.ORG
Ok, article, over... Mergs pontificating again... ;)

Really great stuff. Read it twice its worth it.

That said...

Neon colors: somewhat personal opinion and preference. I see the point but its probably not really an impact either way. Although some of them jerseys are hard to look at ;)

Large Group Riding: I think that riding in large groups is a good social activity, and good for our sport. I'd simply amend the point to say that when you ride in large groups its even more important to be diplomatic on the trails as large groups are more likely to introduce conflict. Then again, besides the social aspects, large groups allow us to teach our peers how to be good trail users and apply the above principles. If you are riding in with the same person all the time, you both could be a really bad trail user and neither one of you would know it. ;)

I would also like to add a note about how to react when encountering other trail users that scoff off, or worse are rude to your diplomatic efforts. In two words, ignore them. So what if you say hello, execute a courteous pass and they look at you like you have a horn in your forehead. So what, ignore them. Be the better person and ride away. They are in the wrong but if they make the complaint phone call to the Land Manager because you said, hey screw you pal, well guess what... they win. The land manager is going to hear that you were a rude trail user and you were a mountain biker. do you really think that he/she will mention that you were initially nice and pleasant and because they goaded you into an impolite (warranted maybe but not helpful) reaction ? No, the land manager has now heard a complaint. Add a few of them up, and problems start occurring. So, ignore the trail trolls. They are hardly worth your time.

[/soapbox]
 

McPhil

New Member
Interesting article mergs.

Quick question to everyone, how do you alert and pass hikers when coming up from behind on single track?
 

Frank

Sasquatch
Quick question to everyone, how do you alert and pass hikers when coming up from behind on single track?

I'm usually riding with a group and we are always gabbing so the other users are aware that we are coming long before we arrive:eek: . I would say that most times folks on foot get out of our way so we smile and thank them. When alone I try to mildly cough, clear my throat, something to let them know I am there. Obviously horses and dogs are a different story a lot of which is covered in this forum: http://www.mtbnj.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2682
 

monkey boy

Self-Imposed Exile
Interesting article mergs.

Quick question to everyone, how do you alert and pass hikers when coming up from behind on single track?


Invest in a bell. Sleigh, jingle what ever.
Up here there are a few hunters so if something is bounding through the woods and is jingling or dinging they are less likely to take a shot at it. Also spooking wildlife onto the trail is not pleasant. Squirrels in the spokes, getting t-boned by deer. not fun

Sleigh bells are rather seasonal at this time of year. :D
 

mergs

Spokompton's Finest
JORBA.ORG
Interesting article mergs.

Quick question to everyone, how do you alert and pass hikers when coming up from behind on single track?

I usually do something like a "good mornin!" or afternoon, etc. (this is their first alert to my presence) I then give them a big toothy grin and say something dorky like "great day to be in the woods". by that point they're usually turned around and moving aside.

by then, I'll remark on anything in particular to be friendly... nice dog, nice t-shirt, nice ball cap, whatever... then we part ways and I move on.

Sometimes, they'll ask about mountain biking... and that's when the fun begins. I can talk a dog off a meat truck when its comes to mountain biking :)
 

mergs

Spokompton's Finest
JORBA.ORG
Invest in a bell. Sleigh, jingle what ever.
Up here there are a few hunters so if something is bounding through the woods and is jingling or dinging they are less likely to take a shot at it. Also spooking wildlife onto the trail is not pleasant. Squirrels in the spokes, getting t-boned by deer. not fun

Sleigh bells are rather seasonal at this time of year. :D

You know... its too early to talk about sleigh bells... I'm still trying to put together a menu for Thanksgiving! Don't start Christmas on me, man! :)
 

walter

Fourth Party
You know... its too early to talk about sleigh bells... I'm still trying to put together a menu for Thanksgiving! Don't start Christmas on me, man! :)

Two words- Fried Turkey

The bell you get with the JORBA membership comes in real handy on the trail.
 
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McPhil

New Member
Thanks for the tips, head on encounters aren't a problem, it's just coming up from behind that seems tougher without spooking anyone or "stalking" them. I'll give the mild cough a try and maybe put a bell on, but I usually reserve that for rail trail type riding when you encounter many more people.
 
That's a lot of useful and important information for all MTBers to heed. Thanks for posting it Mergs.:)

I'm not sure if I'll be going off topic with this, but it does relate to trail diplomacy. The above article concerned MTBer and hiker interactions while out on a trail. It would be good if there was similar info about MTBer to MTBer trail interactions posted as well.

A couple of weeks ago when I was at 6 Mile I nearly got creamed by another biker coming in my direction. I was starting to go up a slight incline that had a left curve to it. Fortunately I automatically kept to the far right of the trail because the trail up ahead was not entirely visible. (I believe in the 'keep to the right rule' - if there is one).

All of a sudden this rider appeared out of nowhere and we narrowly missed side-swiping each other head on. I let out this loud "Whooaaaaa!!!" :scared: and he meekly said "Sorry" and kept going.

I've read that the rider going up hill has the 'right of way' and the one going down hill yields. I think this makes good sense. But there are trails in places like 6 Mile and Hartshorne, etc, that have completely blind corners when the weather's warmer and there's more vegetation alongside the trail.

Are there written or unwritten 'rules of diplomacy' for situations such as this? It can really be fun to pick up speed in tight twisty turns, but when you can't see what's around the next corner it can get a little :eek: .

I sometimes use a bell (which keeps getting busted up) on trails with blind corners just in case there happens to be another rider/hiker/runner coming my way.

:eek: Sorry, seems like I did go off topic, but I think it's a good issue to discuss.
 

mergs

Spokompton's Finest
JORBA.ORG
That's a lot of useful and important information for all MTBers to heed. Thanks for posting it Mergs.:)

I'm not sure if I'll be going off topic with this, but it does relate to trail diplomacy. The above article concerned MTBer and hiker interactions while out on a trail. It would be good if there was similar info about MTBer to MTBer trail interactions posted as well.

A couple of weeks ago when I was at 6 Mile I nearly got creamed by another biker coming in my direction. I was starting to go up a slight incline that had a left curve to it. Fortunately I automatically kept to the far right of the trail because the trail up ahead was not entirely visible. (I believe in the 'keep to the right rule' - if there is one).

All of a sudden this rider appeared out of nowhere and we narrowly missed side-swiping each other head on. I let out this loud "Whooaaaaa!!!" :scared: and he meekly said "Sorry" and kept going.

I've read that the rider going up hill has the 'right of way' and the one going down hill yields. I think this makes good sense. But there are trails in places like 6 Mile and Hartshorne, etc, that have completely blind corners when the weather's warmer and there's more vegetation alongside the trail.

Are there written or unwritten 'rules of diplomacy' for situations such as this? It can really be fun to pick up speed in tight twisty turns, but when you can't see what's around the next corner it can get a little :eek: .

I sometimes use a bell (which keeps getting busted up) on trails with blind corners just in case there happens to be another rider/hiker/runner coming my way.

:eek: Sorry, seems like I did go off topic, but I think it's a good issue to discuss.

this is a great point Rosy. i think its on topic.

there is definitely an etiquette and its climber has right of way.

your bell is also a very good start. we should all get in the habit of using them around blind turns.

that said, i think that your problem around the blind corner is one of trail design (more than etiquette). basically, the blind corner allows too much speed. i've ridden there twice and i know the feel of the place, but without seeing the trail its hard to pin down the exact cause but two remedies come to mind just from your description above.

1. the sight lines need to be improved so that the corner is not blind. if there's a hedgerow of thorns, for example, thinning them would do wonders i suspect.

2. if the veg cannot be thinned then you need to find ways to make riders check speed. grade reversals (just a mellow s turn in the trail before and after the turn), or a choke point (2 boulders kind of close, or one to take you off line a little, or a fallen log) before or after the turn will help.

ideally a combination of 1 and 2 will be most effective.

the user conflict problem will be when someone is coming around the corner and they've gotten a little too close to a family of hikers. you can bet that a complaint will be made if enough kids poo their pants due to an oncoming hoarde of SSers with their hair on fire ;)
 
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mergs

Spokompton's Finest
JORBA.ORG
Two words- Fried Turkey

The bell you get with the JORBA membership comes in real handy on the trail.

good to hear! we have plenty more for our new first time members :)

I'm cooking for my wife and 4 of her girlfriends, so i'm actually planning on making one of these turkeys:
 

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Frank

Sasquatch
good to hear! we have plenty more for our new first time members :)

I'm cooking for my wife and 4 of her girlfriends, so i'm actually planning on making one of these turkeys:

No fowl porn allowed.....:wedgie:

4 girlfriends??? When should I get there??
 

mergs

Spokompton's Finest
JORBA.ORG
No fowl porn allowed.....:wedgie:

4 girlfriends??? When should I get there??

dude, you're not invited (you'll ruin my odds), and besides mrs. harms would kill me. :)

edit, ok... I'm such a softie... you can come up, but on one condition: you make the salad.
 
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