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!