All Things Bikes and Tacos! (...and every vehicle imaginable)

I'm all about the Timber bell, off when i dont want or need it and a quick flick of the thumb and it comes alive for the entire descent or until i turn it back off. I've had many many hikers and uphill bikers pulled off to the side well before i got to them or i could even see them, lots of them have actually thanked me for it and have complimented it. Its been a Godsend for blind corners and tight trails without any sort of sight lines for where you are headed.

 

Sorry, but it sounds like your bell is telling other trail users like hikers and uphill riders who have the right of way, that some guy is coming downhill fast and doesn’t care about accepted trail etiquette. Think about it.

 

I need an air horn for some of the hikers wearing their headphones...
It’s kinda funny sometimes when they finally realize your right behind them.

 

Timber Bell FTW.

 

I'm conflicted about that rule. I see both sides assuming folks are under control on their decent

 

If someone is hauling ass downhill and a controlled or safe stop is not attainable, they should get the right of way every time to prevent a wreck or collision. On the other hand, if they are under control they should get out of the way and let the climber have the right of way. I don't think there is a right or wrong rule that applies to every situation, discretion is key. I also don't think "accepted trail etiquette" is making a dude wreck because you're too stubborn to give the right of way to a fast approaching downhill rider.

 

Descending riders and hikers with gravity on their side should always yield to the ones climbing... I honestly don't know why this practice has been steadily declining in the last few years but it is infuriating when climbing, in a nice steady cadence, and someone bombing downhill just blows through the line, forcing a stop.

I love a good downhill strafing run just as much as anyone, but I stop every single time on the descents for climbing riders, and slow drastically for uphill hikers unless they step aside and wave me through.

The only way to really have it open to non-stop descents is to make/change trails to one way only on certain days of the week or alternating weekends... even then it's not a guarantee that descenders won't encounter a climber.

 

Damnit... just, damnit!

https://singletrackworld.com/2020/01/goodbye-dirt-rag-magazine/

"It is with a heavy heart that we’re writing to say, that after 30 years of publishing, Dirt Rag is shutting its doors and ceasing all operations, including the website and Dirt Fest.

The reasons are myriad, but the bottom line is that the Dirt Rag print magazine, Dirt Rag website, and Dirt Fest festivals were all integral to our bottom line and that no part of our operation could survive without the others. Hence, all operations are shutting down.

Thanks to everyone who helped keep the lights on for over three decades by supporting our special brand of off-beat journalism and our killer events. Here’s to the legacy of the last 30 years, to the future of our sport, and to every one of you that came along for the ride.

Sincerely,
Maurice and the entire Dirt Rag staff ✌❤️"

 

I saw that...so sad. I haven’t been reading magazines as often the passed few years but I still enjoyed their online content.

 

Absolutely, if there’s room to yield when I’m going uphill and a downhill rider is approaching fast, I give them room. I’m not here to spoil their fun. And of course I’ll get off the trail to avoid a crash. And, I’m not perfect and more than once I’ve been going too fast downhill and avoided problems thanks to the evasive action of a climber. But that doesn’t make it right, and to have a bell constantly ringing to alert uphill riders or hikers that “hey, I’m coming through” is not right either. As @ridge said, the real solution is more directional trails, but until then I think a reminder about trail etiquette is completely appropriate. By the way, I find it seems to vary by region; when I travel out of the Bay Area I generally find more considerate riders AND hikers.

 

I don't think there's anything wrong with making your presence known. Simply having a bell doesn't mean you expect everyone to get out of your way, nor does automatically give you right of way. Its just alerting others that you're there. Trail etiquette and right of way still applies.

 

Glad this guy gets it. Like I said, steep and blind trails make it impossible to see other trail users all the time.

 

Anyway, now that we know how dman feels , back to what matters. Bikes.

New bike day recently followed by a Ride Wrap install. Nice kit that's on par with invisiframe.

 

If this is what you meant, maybe I over-reacted. I interpreted your original comment to mean that you use the bell to encourage other users to get out of your way. I agree that anything to avoid conflict is good. Well, maybe not neon kit or loud music. I have one of those mini-cowbells but rarely use it as my friends and especially my wife find the noise annoying. Anyway, back to bikes and Tacos!

 

https://jeffkendallweed.com/pizza-b...GnH4AyYQtBI2iEl8yAO8Lb5MZzv5JWXiGzqspbvoIBWXY

Pittsburgh stuff-

 

I’ve got a set of TLD speed knee sleeves for sale if anyone is interested.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tld-speed-knee-sleeves.650206/

 

Just watched the video. Those trails look pretty sweet.

 

Drool worthy content...
https://www.pinkbike.com/news/14-bikes-from-core-bike-2020.html

But these two, they get me all sorts of riled up.

 

The riding here is a lot of fun. The network of trail would surprise you.

 

Nice to be on the bike again to see if the legs still work, even if it's just 5 miles.