Etiquette for our new dysfunctional normal

[The SnowShow]

What about stopping at the side of the trail, pull mask or gaiter on, and let the other pass, while you turn to face the other way. I’d think that would take care of any possible transmission, even if you’re like 3’ apart?

[::: :::]

One way trails.

just make all of them downhill only for all users

can't access them, but no more crowding

[DeepHelmet]

People can't figure this shit out when they're NOT terrified their gonna get the 'Rona from some random puff by a passing rider, can't imagine the confusion that would ensue if we changed stuff up now, especially with the enormous increase in riders out there, a lot of them new and clueless. I think we're maybe putting too much thought into this. Wash your hands and don't touch your face.

[Iwantmy2dollars]

People can't figure this shit out when they're NOT terrified their gonna get the 'Rona from some random puff by a passing rider, can't imagine the confusion that would ensue if we changed stuff up now, especially with the enormous increase in riders out there, a lot of them new and clueless. I think we're maybe putting too much thought into this. Wash your hands and don't touch your face.

How about just try it and see how it goes. Don't understand all the hostility for trying not to get sick.
And its everyones concern. No one knows why some people get really ill and some show no signs.
There are some accomplished athletes that have had the crap knocked out of them from this.
The problem is that you can be spreading (or catching) this from people that look and feel 100% OK.
Some will get sick and others won't but they are shedding the virus in their wake.

This isnt rocket science and if someone makes a mistake and you are forced to stop going down
its what you would have normally done. If you pull off when you see them coming down and let them
roll by its to both parties advantage. Is there a downside? Confusion? It won't be confusing for long if
people understand why. Get some perspective. Your riding your bike. For fun. Why expose ourselves to
the chance of getting sick any more than necessary

[VTskibum]

Not going to happen. Ride a popular trail system and is already a cluster of people not following rules. I’m in the wear buff/bandana and pull over camp for the foreseeable future.

Ok the one way trails also not a fan as there are soo many trail systems that doesn’t work for, mostly bc they are rolly so not the fire road climb and bomb s/t that bigger western mountains may see. Plus selfishly I like riding trails in both directions if only for the variety.

Either way enjoy and if you can go off peak or to lower used trail systems.


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[Dhelihiker]

if you're scared, stay home.

[DeepHelmet]

How about just try it and see how it goes. Don't understand all the hostility for trying not to get sick.
And its everyones concern. No one knows why some people get really ill and some show no signs.
There are some accomplished athletes that have had the crap knocked out of them from this.
The problem is that you can be spreading (or catching) this from people that look and feel 100% OK.
Some will get sick and others won't but they are shedding the virus in their wake.

This isnt rocket science and if someone makes a mistake and you are forced to stop going down
its what you would have normally done. If you pull off when you see them coming down and let them
roll by its to both parties advantage. Is there a downside? Confusion? It won't be confusing for long if
people understand why. Get some perspective. Your riding your bike. For fun. Why expose ourselves to
the chance of getting sick any more than necessary

Sorry if it came off as hostile, didn't mean it that way.

[snowaddict91]

Patience and a smile are the best tools we got. Most people around here know we are sharing designated trails and
usually step aside so we can pass. Slowing down and showing some common courtesy goes a long way to making
everyones experience a better one

Totally. We just have a few trails around here that its easy to descend really fast on that are still two way. Even riding well within your abilities, it can be hard to stop in time when you come around a blind turn and someone is climbing up with a few off leash dogs. No one is perfect, but I think most people around here (Wasatch) do a pretty good job.

[chaka]

Patience and a smile are the best tools we got. Most people around here know we are sharing designated trails and
usually step aside so we can pass. Slowing down and showing some common courtesy goes a long way to making
everyones experience a better one

I think this is much better guidance than your first post suggesting adjustments to long understood (but still rarely followed in some places) guidance. Add common sense too. if the trail is really crowded, don't add to the problem. simple.

[Peruvian]

Although I know it's not really an effective Covid-19 mask, I guess I'll start wearing a neck gaiter when the local MTB trails open. At least people will feel better about seeing me wear it.

[Iwantmy2dollars]

I think this is much better guidance than your first post suggesting adjustments to long understood (but still rarely followed in some places) guidance. Add common sense too. if the trail is really crowded, don't add to the problem. simple.

Not if you think about the problem of transmission. Which is the ONLY reason to change our normal ROW behavior. Standing there on narrow trails while allowing the uphill rider to slowly creep by while huffing and puffing is just the wrong way we should be doing things right now. And, with the push to get "back to normal" (which will take a long time) is going to make this issue an even greater concern as time passes and the disease creeps into every corner of the country

[jamal]

All I see you getting from giving downhill bikes right of way on a multi use, multi directional trail is making user conflicts worse.

I think a better solution is making some of the popular trails directional and possibly single use. The city made a couple of ours directional and it's been an improvement as they are easy to get to and tend to be crowded.

As far as your reduced transmission theory goes, if the uphill rider stops and moves out of the way, the downhiller is still riding through all that air where the climber just was. I can't see it being a huge difference.

[frorider]

Think thru the physics a bit more. When visual or audible cues let the two riders know they’re approaching each other, the separation is 10-20 meters say. The DH rider can scan ahead and decide where the best spot to truly pull over off the trail is, and within seconds be at that spot. Meanwhile, assuming the trail is somewhat steep, the uphill, slow rider often stops in the trail or scans ahead maybe a couple of meters for a pull off spot. They can’t get to the better pull off spot quickly enough to impact the situation.

Since most of us are hyper attuned these days to keeping these trail crossover points quick and unstressful, I think the traditional ROW remains the best approach.

More problematic is the slow uphill rider unaware of or to stubborn to let faster riders pass. This can sorta fuck over the social distancing thing.

[TBS]

For those suggesting making a trail directional, know that it’s a long arduous process on USFS land - at least in our slice of Paradise.

[mmmm...pow!]

just make all of them downhill only for all users

Fucking brilliant! Fire road climbs only. That would actually work for almost every good ride here. Spread the word.
And it doesn't seem like anyone around here is paying much mind to the covid. On the trails people are doing what they've always done. It's like we've all come to the realization that unless someone coughs right in someone else's face, no one's gonna catch the covid from going on a bike ride in the woods. Maybe we'd feel different if we were cooped up in the city.
Oh, and those silly homemade masks, bandannas, buffs, etc., none of those are doing shit.