Bell? Or Voice?

[LadyinWhite]

Being that I'm consistently slow, I get passed ALLLLLL the time. By far, MOST of the time the rider says "good morning" or "on your left" right as his/her shoulder comes even with mine. Close enough to startle me. I'd much rather have a little more warning.

So - today, I came up on a roadie and passed him. When I was several feet still behind him but gaining, I called out - "Just letting you know I'm back here!" He looked back, smiled, raised a hand in acknowledgement.

And - before you get excited thinking Who hoo, she's got it going on, she passed someone for the first time! Didn't quite go that way, as soon as I passed him, he started drafting off me! He stayed right on my wheel w/out a word for about 3 miles then HE passed ME like I was standing still -

No obvious effort on his part either. But - when HE passed me, he didn't say anything until he was totally passed me then called back "How far are you going?"

Bell or voice? I dunno - find whatever works for you, just give SOME warning, whatever you decide.

[teigyr]

I like MimiT's idea of having a bell so there is always the option to do one or the other. I used to be so against it but am starting to see the value of it.

I had the best guy ever behind me last week! He was riding behind me and I kept waiting for him to pass. We were coming into a curved area and then a semi-sharp turn onto a bridge before going onto a road. I kept looking back and he was still there...he finally said "don't worry, I am not going to pass until we get on the road". I let him know that I corner very slowly sometimes and he said not to worry, he'd leave plenty of room and he corners slowly also.

When we got to the road, he passed me very strongly (corners slowly my backside!) and said hi and asked how I was doing.

I have to say I loved the communication. If someone's behind me too long I wonder because I try to stay as far over as possible but I'd rather not have to worry about it Having someone state their intentions was incredibly nice.

[KnottedYet]

I do what Queen does: Bell when I'm a good distance back. Holler "One bicycle, going to pass on your left!" as I get closer. Holler "One bicycle passing on your left!" as I overtake them. Holler "Thank you" when I'm past.

It's a lot of hollering, but I've had pedestrians shout "thank you" and "how wonderful! Thanks!" And I know that I appreciate that kind of consideration when I'm walking or being passed while riding.

[Popoki_Nui]

Wennie (but loud!) little bells on three of my bikes. On my Gitane and Falcon, I carry the same kind of bell on a lanyard. It makes the bikes look less cluttered , and I can throw it and bean people not paying attention on the back of the head. Just kidding. Not.
Bells really do get *most* peoples' attention, in my experience calling out/yelling is less effective. I just don't have that powerful a voice, and I'm usually puffing too hard anyway. Besides, the bell makes a really neat sound as it bounces off the backs of their heads. Just kidding. Not.

[RoadRaven]

Voice.

I have no bell and am too vain to put one on any of my bikes.

I yell "bike back"

[Bron]

I have a bell on my moutain/commuting bike as it´s required by law here. It´s one of those bells with a compass in it, but it´s not very easy to reach with my thumb so I end up just yelling "Grüss Gott", "Hallo" or "Oi", depending on how much time I have.

[crazycanuck]

Same as roadraven, no bell.

I normally just say "on your right" or "rider"or "beep beep"..They all work.

I believe i've mentioned what i say if you don't move out of my way

C

[SheFly]

Like Raven, I am far too vain to put a bell on my bike .

I used to call out "On your left" when passing on the bike path, but that often moves people TO the left, and into my path! I now have taken to calling out (from some distance behind) "Passing". Seems everyone knows what this means.

On the roads, however, I still call out "On your left". Not sure why I differentiate - maybe because on the path there is such a variety of people that it makes more sense. On the road, I expect riders to be a little more savvy.

SheFly