Tips for 1 day organized rides

[coolbeansbikes]

If someone behind calls, "On your left!", you should move right immediately when possible. Believe it or not, I've seen people on group rides, where they had signed a form saying they were experienced riders, swerve left into the path of the passing rider.

I slightly dissagree with this. I feel it's my responsibiblity to find a line that is safe, as far to the right as is safe to do also being aware of obsticals on the road etc. Having a knee-jerk reaction of moving to the right each call out may put me in harms way. I get passed...a lot so I've learned to be as far to the right as is safe but if you're passing me it is your responsibility to call out and then pass when it is safe for you to do. It's not my responsibility to move to the right, I should already be there. Especialy on descents altering my angle on a turn could be dangerous. So "on your left" does not mean "I move right".

To me, "On Your Left" means "Keep Your Line (because I'm gonna pass you, and don't want to scare you in to swerving like crazy just 'cause another bike's nearby)"

~ beanie

[fixedgeargirl]

OMG!!

Just feeling a bit stupid here... I was busy reading these tips to see what i can learn, and beginnning to think that you are all crazy... wtf? passing on the left? Who passes on the inside???

THEN it dawned on me - in America you drive on the WRONG side of the road!

ROFL


LOL... I have to remember to check where members are from, and reverse left and right if from a part of the world that drives on the right side of the road and not the left!!!

I have an Ozzie friend who emigrated to the States in his 20's. He readily adapted to driving on the "wrong" side of the road, and could make the switch to left side when back home. However, he only started mtbing after he got to the States, and, when cycling, his U.S. habits were the only ones he had, so he habitually took the right hand line when meeting other trail users. All you left-side drivers imagine a 6' 4" surf god barrelling at you on the trail ON THE WRONG SIDE!!!! On your left, indeed!