Re: [RC] [RC] FW: Fireworks as a begginer ride - Lynelle Robertson
99% of the mt bike riders Ranelle and I have run into are very polite and we try with each meeting to educate the bike riders on how to pass most horses with out incident which is: when coming up behind a horse and rider call out let the horse and rider know you are coming. Give us an opportunity to turn our horse around to face them or even dismount if horse is really spooky. When bikers on coming towards us we say "Good morning how are you doing..." Engage them in conversation and they can ride on by no problem. Always we thank them for there patience and trail ediquette. The more we educate the other trail users the safer we will be. Now, for the occassional jerk(if the aformentioned doesn't work) I remind them that equines have the right of way legally in parks and forrests and that if we are injured due to there stupidity I will sue them and own
everything they have. That seems to get their attention. Funny story. I was riding along the WS trail at the river at 7:30am thinking I was alone did some training excerises with my mare. Riding only with my seat and legs moving her back and forth. A rude little man can sooming up on a mt bike with out saying anything. So, I said all you had to do was let me know you were behind and I would have stopped or moved over. He told me "I was weaving and to move my fat ass over so he could go by" keep in mind this is a fire road 2 car widths wide. So, I said "have a nice day and I hope you have a flat tire" And guess what I found about 1/2mile down the trail? Yep mr nice guy changing a flat tire. If looks could kill. I laughed so hard I almost wet my pants. What drives me crazy are people on horse back with their dogs running loose. That is dangerous. I am now caring a squirt gun filled with vingar or lemon juice. If they do not controll their dogs they get it
in the face. That also seems to get their attention. I try to kill them with kindness but if that doesn't work then I get verbal.
--- On Thu, 6/26/08, D'Arcy Demianoff-Thompson <cest.mon.virage@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
From: D'Arcy Demianoff-Thompson <cest.mon.virage@xxxxxxxxx> Subject: Re: [RC] [RC] FW: Fireworks as a begginer ride To: SandyDSA@xxxxxxx Cc: carrie.kitley@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, jsrha@xxxxxxxxx, ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Date: Thursday, June 26, 2008, 9:03 AM
Well, in all fairness let us consider that the OP sent that post as a private email. I know I have not been cognizant, at times, when I have a response to an email privately. As such have inadvertently reposted to the group rather responding to the OP! With that in mind we all should probably look past the OP's input and address a very serious issue, as Sandy as stated, and that would be manners on the trial. Sandy is absolutely on the mark with her post. I have seen, not only on the endurance circuit, but rather, trail wise, some riders, have no manners. So, how do we address this issue most affectively?
What, for example, do most of you, experienced endurance riders, do when you come upon, and/or have been affected by an ill mannered rider? What do you suppose the protocol should be? As Ranelle can attest - I do not have a quiet voice (number of years in the Air Force) and have not failed to use it when necessary on the trail to avert a disaster. Most, and usually they are mountain bikers, realize they would or could have put a horse and rider in jeopardy, are polite and apologetic. Especially when I ask them to consider the fact there may be many NEW riders to the industry and as such may not have full control of their horse. I don't know that I have ever come across an impolite rider on the trail - yet! Usually they know before I have to turn and look at them that they are in the wrong and apologize.
However, I would like to hear lots of input on your own situation analysis, from your own experiences, how it was or could have been best handled! Thanks! Thank you Julienne, Carrie, and Sandy for opening up a great and timely topic.
