Mountain bike stage race etiquette for newbies
Adapted from & first published https://www.thesouthafrican.com/lifestyle/health-fitness/mountain-bike-stage-race-etiquette-for-newbies/ & http://www.riveraction.org/sites/default/files/MTB%20Race%20Etiquette.pdf
How to not be ‘that rider’ at your first mountain bike stage race.
Mountain bike races are like adventure school camps for adults. And similar courtesies apply if you are a newbie, there are some unwritten rules best adhered to these simple practices will make it nearly impossible for experienced riders to know you haven’t done this before Mountain biking is expensive and immersive. South Africa has an embarrassment of races and they provide both an opportunity for urban escapism and networking prospects.
How to play nice at a mountain bike stage race image via: scottoc78
Stage race rule 1: Be courteous
Navigating downhill singletrack is what defines mountain biking and for some, it’s a lot more challenging to ride than others.
If you are a brilliant singletrack descender, a South African mass participation mountain bike race is perhaps not the best place to show off your skills.
Nervous descenders can quickly compound traffic down a trail and buzzing their rear wheel merely inflates the probability of an annoying, and avoidable, accident.
By the same accord, if you are an unconfident descender and happen upon the drop-in point of a long singletrack descent at the front of a group, the defining courtesy is to stop and ask if anyone behind would like to go ahead of you.
Stage race rule 2: Keep left. Pass right.
In South Africa we drive on the left, and pass on the right. Most mountain bikers also own and operate a car, so you have excuse for not understanding the principle.
In mountain biking, on open district roads and long jeep track climbs, the same principle applies. It’s deeply irritating for stronger climbers when they are trying to pass a slower group of riders idling up a gradient, and find people riding socially side-by-side, blocking the entire route.
On a climb, if you are going to ride side-by-side, always be aware of who is possibly gaining from behind and ensure you can quickly steer left and out of the way, without causing a collision.
Stage race rule 3: Riders being passed should give as much room to the passer as is safe for their skill level.
Experienced riders pass in single track all of the time, inexperienced riders might be startled the 1st time this happens because it happens so fast. RACE LEADERS will not take the time to ride behind lapped riders until they get to double track to pass. Inexperienced riders should be aware that this will happen, give as much room as is safe, hold their lines and allow the faster rider to make the move.
Stage race rule 4: Racers riding a bicycle have the right of way over racers pushing bicycles.
Persons pushing their bikes MUST stay out of the way of riders. When practical, racers pushing should stay on the least rideable portion of the path when being passed. A racer pushing or carrying their bicycle can overtake a racer riding their bicycle, provided they do not interfere with the rider’s progress. If getting off to walk an obstacle- rider MUST get off of the trail BEFORE dismounting if upcoming riders are not dismounting.
Stage race rule 5: If you break a chain or have a mechanical failure, get out of the other racers way immediately
Do NOT sit in the middle of the trail spinning your crank for crying out loud!
Stage race rule 6: If you fail to negotiate an obstacle or hill, get out of the other racers way immediately.
Do not stop at the top of a hill or at the very end of an obstacle if it will cause the riders behind you to bottle up
Stage race rule 7: In the event a rider crashes in front of you:
You may go around if you can do so safely
Stage race rule 8: In the event a rider is injured:
a. You should ask if they need immediate assistance and give it if you are able. Yes it’s a race, but we’re mountain bikers, not A-holes.
b. Do not encourage them to move (even if they are laying in the trail blocking ALL traffic) Do not restrain them if they try to move under their own power.
c. The 1st responder is immediately in charge of every aspect of the situation, and all other riders MUST obey, whether they are told not to go around or to help by giving assistance.
Stage race rule 9: Don’t stop-and-drop your bike at the waterpoint
They call them waterpoints, but mountain bikers also stop at them to energize at the adjoining food tables. It can get crowded and chaotic, and as we all know – none of use think properly when tired and hungry.
Keeping the traffic flow ordered at these waterpoints, it’s crucial to not double-park your bike. Never stop-and-drop your bike right next to the water containers or food tables. It’s bad manners, your bike is in everyone else’s way and becomes a possible injury risk as people scramble for energy drinks and jelly babies.
Always pedal just beyond the waterpoint and cache your bike off the riding route. It’s a few moments of effort but if everyone does this, the efficiency gain and frustration avoidance at water and food stops become a benefit for all.
Stage race rule 10: Party at a venue, not between the tents
For multiday races, there is always the social element after dinner.
Most race venues are skilfully configured in a camp where tented accommodation and socialising venues are separated. It’s because they don’t want you to have a social gathering with your mates, where other riders are trying to recover.
Tents are for sleeping and silence – which is why mobile phones are best left set to silent when the sun sets in any race village.
The chill zone is for recounting trail heroics and strategizing about the next day’s riding, whilst recovering on bean bags.
Stage race rule 11: Don’t drive over someone’s bike
It might seem obvious, but when the race is done, and the victorious participants (or tired survivors) are preparing to drive home, mistakes happen.
Bikes are haphazardly left strewn about between and behind vehicles in the race venue’s parking area, which is usually a field.
And when you are either tired or euphoric, it’s easy to be inattentive and accidentally reverse over someone else’s bike – which is guaranteed to ruin it and suspend any opportunity of possible friendship.
Header Phptpgraph Mountain bike stage races are supposed to be fun image via: LD Branquinho