A rant: If you're passing me, please let me know!

[Crankin]

A lot of my weekday riding is done on 2 roads that are extremely popular with cyclists and are somewhat busy. Some of you might characterize these roads as 2 lane "country roads," but they are major cut through streets for the suburban communities around here. Some of the cyclists are commuters, some are racers, some are serious recreational cyclists, and some are just out for a ride with the family, or are tourists (this route is on a map of popular bike rides in historic areas).
I always call out when passing people slower than me. I also often say hi to them, or "have a nice ride." About half of the riders passing me call out; these are usually the serious roadies/racers. What I dislike are the ones who say "on your left" when they are already right next to, or already passing me, not coming up on me. I usually can hear someone approaching me, but often, I kind of "jump" when another rider comes up on me, without warning. Usually, I ignore it, but sometimes, if I'm feeling cranky, I might say "Have a nice day," to them, in a kind of sarcastic voice. I know it's silly, but it makes me feel temporarily good.
I dislike riding on MUPs, and we don't have many here, either. When I have ridden on a path, I call out to every single person and vary what I say according to whether it's a kid, a slower rider, or a jogger/walker. But, it takes a lot of energy. The way I see it, it's like being an ambassador for polite cycling. If I am riding on a path, it's not for "training," and I'd like others to see that roadies aren't all spandex clad yahoos.

[OakLeaf]

I'd like others to see that roadies aren't all spandex clad yahoos.

Also that spandex-clad roadies aren't all yahoos.

[polly4711]

Totally agree!!! I just the the MS 150 from Houston to Austin with 13,500 riders. It was so great to hear people constantly communicating saying "on your left" which just became "left" by the end of the ride. But many people said "Riders on your left" when a group of people were coming by so that you knew not to come over to follow that first person.

I also must say that I had a guy brush shoulders with me and it completely freaked me out becuase he was that close. I saw him later that day get chewed out by the Ride Marshall because of his riding style.

[loopybunny]

I don't think I've ever been passed by someone who didn't call out. But then, I don't usually see other riders out when I ride. Last time I got out though, a couple on a tandem not only called out, but slowed enough for them both to say, "Hi, how's it going?"

That's my peeve... people who don't say hi or at least wave/nod/acknowledge your existence.

[owlice]

Well.... cars don't honk at one another when they pass.....

I was not commenting on the lack of audible warning with my "act like traffic" statement; please reread my previous post to put my traffic comment in context. Thanks.

If cyclists passing me give 3-4 feet of clearance, that's great, but most of these cyclists weren't. If they had, I'd have been able to move four inches over to avoid the upcoming manhole cover. But they didn't, I couldn't, and didn't get any warning, either.

These cyclists would be safer if they let me know they were passing me. So would I. THAT'S the bottom line.

This road is used by cyclists, walkers, skaters, runners, and strollers, and oh, yes, cars, too. It's not a training loop for cyclists.

I expect cars to give me a certain amount of space -- I can hear them coming easily. Bikes? Not so much; I'd still appreciate the space and if they aren't going to give me plenty of space -- and it's already been demonstrated that they are not -- they need to give warning. If they are six feet away, yeah, I can understand not giving a warning (and that's be okay), but if they are six inches away and are going to prevent me from maneuvering (and they are!), they need to give a warning. I don't care how spandex-clad they are, whether their helmets match their cycling shoes, whether they are with the "huge peloton speeding around and sprinting every lap," whether they are speedy grandmas in flowered dresses and straw hats (wouldn't that be a fun group to organize? ), whether they are on inline skates or whatever, I want a warning when they are passing within inches of me.

It's MY rant, dang it! (I did warn you it was, too! )

[Crankin]

Oak, are you correcting my grammar ?

You get the point, though. It seems as if everyone has his or her own level of comfort with this stuff. DH does not call out as much as I do, when passing on the road, but on the path, he was scrupulous. My friend told me I was like a "riding drill instructor," the day we went on the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail. I think that was more because of the tone of my voice; I find if I use my "teacher voice" people tend to look up and listen.
It's been a lot of work for me to lose that voice when i am doing therapy sessions!

[OakLeaf]

Oak, are you correcting my grammar ?

Not at all!

Just that spandex or not, we're not all yahoos.

[Skierchickie]

I live in what most of you would consider an extremely rural area (one of those areas where 80% of drivers think bikes shouldn't be on the road). I'll encounter a biker that I need to pass about once every two years, if that. I'll be passed by another biker, well, maybe not that often. I'll see bikers riding toward me maybe once per ride, on my longer rides.

My passing experience is mainly from cross country skiing. I find that while training, if I yell out, the person I'm passing is just as likely to fall over as anything. So I try to cough or clear my throat at some point as I'm approaching, in the hope that they'll hear it and look back (or at least become aware of my presence). I don't just pass people without them knowing I'm there, unless they don't hear me and are skiing side-by-side with someone and talking, or wearing ear buds, and I'd have to scream to be heard. I try to be patient and pass once they know I'm there. I always figure yelling "on your left", like in a race, is just going to make me look like a jerk.

I find that while biking, anyone who passes me is going to startle me, because it's so rare. So just don't pass close - I'd rather not hear a voice right behind me, out of the blue. I would think that would be the bigger problem - the buzzing. Just give me space, and then smile and say "Hi - nice day, huh?". I remember the last time I passed two bikers on one of my rides. I could see them for a while, and was reeling them in steadily. It was windy enough to make it difficult to hear. Just before I was in range, the guy looked back, and I assumed he saw me. His wife was 3 or 4 bike lengths ahead, but I figured he would let her know (because, it would be silly not to, right?). So I cautiously passed, saying "Hi" as I passed him. Then I caught her (I was still over toward the center line), and she said "Eek!" and nearly went in the ditch. Apparently hubby neglected to mention it, and she was JUST far enough ahead to not hear our exchange. I'm always torn between the "If I call out I'll scare them" and "If I call out they'll know I'm there" choice. I think she'd have bobbled either way.

Personally, I've always thought that on a road/path that was always busy with bikers / runners/ etc, a person would always try to behave as though there were ALWAYS people passing them, and ALWAYS be prepared for them. Anything else would end in disaster. So it actually surprises me that this is a problem (not the problem of people shaving by too close - those people shouldn't be there). I'm sure this is just because I don't ride those places. I do remember taking our bikes to Mackinaw Island years ago, and being pissed off by all the oblivious bikers weaving all over the place, though, so I'm not sure why I thought that. I think that in a busy situation (or any, really) the thing is to hold your line, and behave predictably. If it's busy - expect people to be passing you. Look behind you before making any lateral maneuvers.

Maybe ski racing for the last 30+ years has taught me to be aware of what is going on around me. Sometimes I do races where there are different events or waves, and the fastest people who started behind me will be charging up fast, at some point. I do everything in my power to avoid impeding their progress (yeah - like I want to be the one who caused the lead pack to get shuffled!). One person could have a big impact on the outcome. So I try to check behind me at strategic places.

Just another point of view (probably invalid due to my level of experience with these situations). Ahhh - the rural life! I love it!