sheddle

i kind of like a more constant "passing-passing-passing" or something similar, since a constant noise means people will hear a sound approaching rather than suddenly hearing it once a few feet behind them. Several brake claps help too (it's hard to trigger a bell rapidly in succession for me)

once again, I have no idea if this is actually safer or less safe, but I think I've been too influenced by a few people I know who find "on your leeeeeft" really annoying when walking

stephr1

Well, hey, "nay-bor"

Depends on what time of day/day of the week you ride.

I'm out 1st thing in the morning (i.e. sunup) MWF so I get quite a few pre-work joggers, people riding to work and kids riding to school (think Mtn. View High School sits very close to the trail). So I have more opportunities for "interesting" encounters.

I have had numerous ride days in a row when everyone seems courteous, considerate and aware of other users on the trail. I prob'ly make the mistake of allowing myself to be lulled into a false sense of "everything's OK". Then, when I experience something I didn't expect, it has a much larger impact. It also goes the other way in the manner that if I have a few rides in a row where things don't go as I would like, and then have a ride without incidents, I end up feeling like I didn't have a good ride that day. Go figure

Well, maybe you and I might just pass each other on the trail sometime. And maybe we just might get the chance to say "Hi! in person.....cheers.....

ksryder

Only when riding sidesaddle.

OTOH, when another gentleman fails to give way after I have announced my presence and intention to pass, he has insulted my honor and I have no choice but to demand satisfaction. I prefer pistols at dawn.

Joe Bikerider

[QUOTE=render ranger;210941Here's the "experiment" that you suggested. These are snippets from a single ride.[/QUOTE]
So you went out on a day that had been announced as a huge walking event? Why? Judging from the part I watched there were roads available parallel to that path yet you avoided them. Or other routes could be enjoyed that day. I suggest you expand your route selection.

livedarklions

BS. I get thanked for announcing my passes at least once pretty much every time I'm on a MUP, and I ride a lot of MUPs.

livedarklions

I don't use "on your left". I specifically say "passing on your left". For me, it works like a charm. I have definitely seen plenty of people get confused by or ignore bells. If it works better for you, fine, but don't say it conveys a level of meaning that can't be done by words. That's clearly silly.

I totally agree that some people's voices are more suited to this than others. I actually like talking to people, and some of the verbal exchanges are actually fun and/or funny.

livedarklions

I'm also on NH, although a lot of my riding is in MA. What path do you ride on?

indyfabz

Same here. Happened again last weekend after employing my loud ass voice so people could hear me over the rustling trees and rushing river rapids.

Phamilton

It was garbage humor, and you still missed it.

livedarklions

You say so.

At this point, I think you need a remedial course in joke construction.

Al_in_NH

The Piscataquog River Trail which connects to the Goffstown Rail Trail is right behind our home. We ride it nightly, 7 1/2 miles out, 7 1/2 miles back. It's a pleasant rural and wooded 15 mile ride that gifts us with deer, bear, and turkeys, as well as a few turtles and snakes and more chipmonks than you can miss unfortunately.

On weekends we ride the Derry/Windham, Salem Rail Trail, and the Nashua River Trail from the Gibson lot in Nashua to Ayer and back. Those are the ones we frequent the most.

One of our sons lives and works near Arlington, Ma, and once a month or so on a weekend, we will ride the Minute Man Bikeway from Bedford to Arlington to meet him for lunch, then ride back to the parking lot in Bedford.

Lightning Pilot

Lucky you!

Lightning Pilot

First, I agree with those who say "courtesy is dead." The problem is, every now an then I encounter it, and it's really disturbing …

Rule 1: I always call out far enough from the other rider/runner/walker/crawler that no matter what their reaction, I still have time to react and avoid them. Yes, I have a loud, clear voice and I know how to project it. If that doesn't work, see "Rule 3," below.

Rule 2: I always say "Passing on your ???" (left or right, depending on their location). Occasionally, I have to say "Pick a side!" See "Rule 1" above and "Rule 3" below.

Rule 3: I have a device that will get through to a trucker in a closed cab on a rig with a noisy diesel: A Delta Cycle Airzound, available on Amazon . It gets through everything. This is the first resort if I can see that they are "plugged in." Otherwise I use it at least 30 to 50 yards away, depending on closure rate. I can't recommend this device enough. Bells ain't in it, folks.

I've never hit anyone on the trail, and never come close since getting the Airzound. Not that I haven't been tempted …

BririaBoarder

I can't fit a bell to my bike as it would adversely affect the aesthetics

Tut, tut! I'm betting you ride without Wald folding baskets too!

livedarklions

We probably have passed each other, I've ridden on all of those. The Nashua is my usual after work ride. I ride from Nashua to Watertown to visit my sons most weekends, so I'm on the Minuteman a lot. If you haven't ridden the Bruce Freeman between Chelmsford and Acton, I highly recommend it.

Another one I recommend is the Northern Rail Trail. It's a 66 mile smooth gravel path from Boscawen to White River Junction. I've only ridden the southern half, but it is beautiful woods and river/falls views. Bring bug spray.

Joe Bikerider

Yet, render guy you seem to know everything about my riding and you use your video of that mass walking event to prove that bells don’t get good reactions and now you say they do. I guess there’s a way to ignore certain people on this site, I haven’t had to do that since Usenet in the mid ‘80’s. Need to look that up I guess.

Al_in_NH

We actually got lost trying to find the Bruce Freeman. We ride the Northern rail trail a few times every year, starting in different sections. In the winter, it is great for fat biking after the snowmobiles pack it down. The northern section is quite dramatic in places.

livedarklions

Hope this helps: https://brucefreemanrailtrail.org/pa...an-rail-trail/

Phamilton

Had the “loud ass voice” taken any sort of course at all in grammar, there would have been no joke to make.

“Loud ass voice”, “loud-ass voice” describe two different things.

It was a garbage joke, a grammar jab, low hanging fruit. But it was a good joke. I’d have laughed if you made it. I think it was well constructed. Well-constructed? Your call.

Phamilton

The marginal gains joke was way funnier than mine, but needed mine to work. It was perfect.

livedarklions

No, you screwed it up. It should have been "loud ass-voice" or you should have mentioned smell. You're grading your own paper on a weak-ass curve.

MattTheHat 

Unless the person doesn't speak English. In that case the bell might be more effective.

livedarklions

Or might not, who knows?

No method is the most effective method in every given situation.

"Passando alla tua sinistra" has a nice ring to it, but I have no idea if it's correct, and it is a bit too syllabic.

Kabuki12

I avoid MUP's as much as possible . There is one area that I find myself on one and I have a bell . If the bell fails I try "rider back" if that fails , well, the person either has ear phones in or just doesn't give a *##*. Either way I am on my own without recourse. I very rarely have anyone warn me when they pass me , and that to me is dangerous but that's just the way it is now. I stay to the right and still warn others when I pass , that is the way I ride. Joe

pakman3999

They really need to make more bike specific paths