There is a huge elephant in the corner of the mountain bike room. He’s been there for a long while, but recently he has started to make a bit of noise.
Elephants can do that.
The elephant I speak of is the one that pertains to riders of different abilities sharing the very same bit of track – which typically is narrow. How do we deal with this problem? Who does have right of way? Has the pendulum swung too far in favour of the slower rider?
It is possible that this article initially wont be viewed as popular with people who not doing the over-taking – the slower riders, but hopefully it will at least open some discussion, it will look to share responsibility, and it will also help demystify some of the recent events that have had issues.
Also – although we speak of Elite riders like they are a different breed, they aren’t. In fact, many will be friends with non-elite riders (a shock, I know), furthermore, some might even get over taken themselves at races (another shock) – we’re all in the same boat, with equal interest.
But let’s return to the initial question posed – Why is it that the slower rider is king?
As an example: at a recent 24hr event, I was held up by a slower rider. I was actually ‘racing’ with a 1 or 2min lead to defend or chase – I can’t remember. A slower rider WOULD NOT move over. They failed to acknowledge I was there, only when I persistently asked them to at least speak to me, did they finally respond with “I know you are there, but I don’t have to move until I am comfortable – if you keep on at me I will report you to the race organisers.”
Am I – the faster rider – afforded this luxury? No. I know that now. I overtook the rider, safely, with no contact – despite him feeling it wasn’t safe. I got back after my lap and told the race organiser that rider number X was being deliberately obstructive, and that perhaps they should think about speaking to them. And what do you think happened?
The organiser was not interested, told me to suck it up.
As a sport, we are unique in having (especially at 24hr events) complete MTB novices sharing a technical track with previous national (and even world) champions who have raced at the very highest level.
It seems like we are very busy protecting the slower rider but are all too quick to penalise or admonish the faster rider of someone even hints at being ‘harassed’ on the track. I wonder whether many of these people go to the police if they are ‘hogging’ the right hand lane but driving 80kph, and have a faster car flash their lights at them?
Of course they don’t.
In fact, in this scenario, the police would be more likely to speak with the driver moving slowly. It’s an all too familiar picture. A slower rider is riding at their best pace, 3hrs into a 4hr race – which for some is a huge accomplishment – they are exhausted, and doing their best to keep their bike on the track. Lets say – for argument’s sake – that they are travelling at 8-10kph. From behind, comes a Lycra-clad Elite rider, they are defending a lead of 30seconds that they have taken 3hrs to build. This rider is travelling at 20-25kph.
They are moving at a speed that is 100% faster the rider in front.
Imagine driving on a freeway at 110kph – thinking you are travelling well. Then, at the point you can hear it, an F1 car beeps it horn, travelling at 220kph. How quickly would that gap have closed? Would you have even had time to reach for your indicator to signal you were moving?
Issue #1: It’s not recognised by the many many riders on trail. The difference in speed is hard for you to imagine. In fact, you probably can’t imagine it. From the point at which the Elite rider calls “Track” – which, to be heard, would be about 10meters behind – to the point where the slow, fatigued rider even acknowledges it – the gap is gone.
So, for complete disclosure, from an Elite perspective, we have already been slowed or impeded – through no fault of the rider in front – simply because of the physics of speed, both of the different riders, and the speed of sound. One can only shout so loud, and that’s 10m max.
It has become common place now for the responsibility to be on the slower rider to ‘call through’ the faster rider when they feel its safe. Lets be clear on this – the lesser skilled rider gets to make a call on the capability of the higher skilled rider. Doesn’t that seem back to front? How on earth can this lesser skilled rider even begin to understand what the rider behind is capable of?
Issue #2: Most Elite riders can do things that you can’t imagine. So elite riders know that when they approach a rider who is clearly in their first race, in a t-shirt, on a borrowed bike, that they have no chance of the rider being able to understand what a passing opportunity looks like. Its no-one’s fault; there is no blame or issue here other than why the pendulum has swung so heavily in favour of the slower rider.
In most cases, the Elite rider can see a gap, across a corner, or under your arm that you are completely unaware of. Those are the same lines that when you see them jumping ‘over’ corners instead of riding around them you look at in awe and say “wow – that’s amazing – I couldn’t even see that line” – there is an industry of bike videos behind showing slower riders how simple a really good rider can make a tough corner or descent look.
All that has changed is that the slower rider is now part of that video – and still can’t see the line. The act of calling a rider through is fraught with opportunity for misunderstanding. For once and for all, I’d like to propose a ‘gold standard’ for the communication between the two riders. In an ideal world, this is how it ought to work:
Elite rider:
“Track / Rider Coming / Race Leader” – whatever. Alerting the slower rider of their impending approach (see Issue #1)
Slower ride:
“Yep / Ok – I hear you” – this is ESSENTIAL – at least acknowledge the faster rider. They have had the courtesy of letting you know they are coming – and let’s not forget, they don’t have to – they could ride up behind you, and just move around you without a word being said. The courtesy of a rider calling “track” is easily forgotten.
If we can at least get that much done, 100% of the time, we have won. What comes next is the tricky bit. Who makes the next move?
Answers on a postcard to marathonmtb@marathonmtb.com [or in the comments section below – Ed]
The next step – in the gold standard – is for the slower rider to take immediate action. Not necessarily to move over immediately, but to look for an opportunity to move over. They say “Pass on my left in 20m”, “I can’t see anywhere to pass” or “Ok – the firetrail in a second will be perfect”. Keep telling the faster rider the plans. Just like using an indicator in a car: you tell the car behind where you are heading, what you are doing. If the slower rider just goes silent – well, that creates a problem.
What should not happen, under any circumstances, ever, is for the slower rider to try and just speed up. Female elite riders suffer this more than most. Dudes absolutely hate being overtaken by a female rider, and if you speak to any female elite rider, they will tell you that this happens to them all the time. This is Issue #3 – a slower rider can’t speed up enough to not cause an obstruction. There is a reason you are being overtaken. In fact, speeding up makes matter worse because its most likely outside of your skill set – ‘nek minute’ we have riders down, bringing down the faster, patient rider: Ends. In. Tears.
This brings us to Issue #4 – it is the slower riders’ responsibility to move aside as soon as possible – not when they fancy it. Furthermore, lately there has been a huge rise in the number of responses that go something like this “I don’t have to move over until I am ready / I have every right to be here too”. This is not an argument you (as a slower rider) want to get into. Because if we assume equal rights for certain parts of the track, then the Elite rider has an equal right to literally be on the very patch of track that you are on. And trust me, they can do that. Equal rights – maybe, more rights – not.
So – how does the slower rider call through a faster rider in a ‘Gold Standard’ fashion? All the faster rider wants to be told is where they should pass. Its essential that the slower riders indicates which side the expect the faster rider to come “on my left” or “on my right” – in an ideal world the slower rider would also move over. Otherwise, we have a scenario that has the faster car overtaking in the hard shoulder (to continue the analogy). If this is adhered to, the faster rider will a) go past you with such precision and skill that you will barely notice it has happened; b) be very polite and most likely say thank you for such courtesy and consideration or c) you, the slower rider will enjoy your ride so very much more, because of the stress removed. To cite the lyrics of Arrested Development in their 1992 hit song Mr. Wendal:
“Here have a dollar
In fact now brotherman, here have two
Two dollars means a snack for me
But it means a big deal to you”
I don’t need to explain this analogy do I? Imagine if the slower rider – who clearly, by definition, has the luxury of time – was to be so generous as to share it with the faster rider?
There is a bitter irony I see everytime I hear a complaint from a slower rider “it’s not as if me slowing the elite down for a few seconds would affect their race.” Well, actually, it might do. And in fact, if it’s only a few seconds, and you are being lapped, why aren’t you the one slowing for 3 seconds? That’s all it is.
What are the exceptions to this Gold Standard? There are a few I can see. If, as per Issue #2, the Elite rider is able to see a line that most wouldn’t, it becomes the responsibility of the elite rider to say “I’m gonna come around you, on your right / over your head – you stay doing what you are doing / follow the track”
If there really is no place to pass – very steep rocky descents spring to mind, or very steep uphills where both riders are trying to ride – there is no excuse (literally ZERO) for the Elite rider to lose their cool and send abuse. It isn’t the National Champs – and no matter how long we have worked to develop a 30 second lead, if there are other riders on track, and they really can’t move – it just time to suck it up. This is VERY rare though. There is always room to pass.
Some other pointers (things I’ve seen go wrong): If, for example, the slower rider does their best, call the faster through “on my right”, then does exactly the right thing, and pulls slightly to the left of the track (creating a better gap), don’t go ruining it all by unclipping with your right foot and prodding it out into the line you have just created. This has happened to me a few times, and through no fault of my own, the slower rider has received the end of my handle-bars in their kidneys, at 20kph. Their body moved into the space my bars were going, where they called me.
If a faster rider says “there are four of us” then assume the over-taking manoeuvre will take longer than for when just one rider wants to get past. That means, if you have pulled over, but continue riding, don’t pull back onto the track until you have actually seen 4 riders go past. If 3 go past, and you feel like you are running out of space – stop! Don’t just pull out into a line of elite riders who are travelling double your speed, assuming that they are safe to go through. Crashes, tears; the only outcome.
So what else can be done? What everyone wants is for an enjoyable experience – for all levels. Its at this point that we need to involve race organisers. If they know they will have 200 riders on track at exactly the same time, with a range of ability from International down to 1st timer – should they not take some responsibility for track design or selection? I would actually say that they bear the greatest responsibility of all. Of course, we all the hear the cries of “it’s got loads of single-track, so its great” – well sure, when you are riding it alone, marking the course, in your baggies – it would be lovely to ride. But that’s not the point of a race. You aren’t alone on track, you are fatigued, and you are trying to go as fast as possible, right?
Courses need to take into consideration the fact there is a diverse group of riders out there. If courses can’t be adjusted – then race timing should be considered. Sure, it’s very much easier to put all riders on track at once. But ‘ease’ is the sole advantage in that equation.
You all remember the game of ‘Snakes’ on Nokia phones? That is what 200 riders on a 7km loop looks like.
Consider all riders when designing courses. Consider the Elite riders as well as the first timers. MTB is struggling enough to keep its elite riders from heading to the road – having every event they do ruined because the track can’t really be raced on isn’t gonna help.
If you are ‘Elite’ and committing 20+ hours a week to training, to have a race decided because you can’t get past someone on their first MTB ride, who may or may not come back to the sport – it does get frustrating.
Take feedback on the behaviour of both sets of riders. Don’t just listen to the complaints of slower riders.
Finally: Education. Race briefings are a good place to start. Explain very clearly that it is a SHARED responsibility (which I presume we agree upon) – it really ISN’T just up to the slower rider to dictate the terms of being overtaken. That model is causing more harm than good – there is a mismatch of responsibility and skill.
A story to finish:
A good friend of mine has kids getting into MTB racing. They are under 10yrs old. The kids have been going to their excellent MTB club for instruction on all things MTB. Every weekend it ends with a little race – obviously, on 100% single-track.
After a week or so, its clear that the kids are just riding round behind each other in a line. Dad can see that so is just riding. The conversation after the race goes like this:
Dad: you know you can overtake other riders don’t you son?
Son: yes, but only when they let move past
Dad: Well, after a while they have to let you pass…
Son: No dad, I can only go past when they feel its safe. If they don’t feel its safe, then I have to ride behind them or I’ll be disqualified
Dad: Well, sometimes you can ride just off the side of the track, in the bush a little, to get past them without upsetting them
Son: No dad, I’ll get disqualified for cutting the track then…
Happy riding everyone – remember – there is always someone else out there, faster than you…