Trail Etiquette On Hills

[Artista]

Is there a commonly accepted rule about who yields when 2 riders, who are riding opposite directions, meet each other on a hill? Which rider should pull off to let the other pass?

As a new technical rider, I've been yielding the trail when I meet other riders regardless of which direction I'm going. The other day I pulled off while I was heading up a steep hill & had a devil of a time getting going again. Should I really be yielding when I'm riding uphill?

[Becky]

I've always been taught that the downhill rider yields to the uphill rider for exactly the reason that you describe. Unfortunately, around here, not everyone seems familiar with this convention :/

[Irulan]

yes, downhill riders are supposed to yield to uphill. But, a lot of them down as it "ruins their flow".

http://www.imba.com/about/rules-trail

[Aggie_Ama]

As stated uphill has the right of way. When I was new I did the same thing you did but now I just keep climbing. Unfortunately the trail I encounter the most two-way traffic is also the one with the most people who do not know the rules. If they look like the will appreciate me sharing I will though.

[Artista]

Thanks everyone. That's kind of what I thought. I'll stop yielding the trail on uphills unless it looks like the downhill rider will run me over if I don't get out of the way.