What exactly is the passing Etiquette on a Xterra Bike course especially on single track.
When I was a Mountain bike racer years ago the slow guy needing to be passed would have to let you pass. Last year during my first Xterra (my second Xterra is this weekend) I was passing many riders but some would not let me pass until they were good and ready and I told some of them to get out of my way and a couple of the guys were none to happy about it. Do I have the right to tell them to " MOVE get out the way"?
I havnt done an Xterra, though after a few years of mountain biking, I will assume it is the same. You can ask to get by, and it is common that they will let you, THOUGH they dont have to. I am way faster then most in the double track, so i always pass in the double track, then block in the single track. So I dont let people by me.
I’ve only done one Xterra race, so take it for what its worth. I found most people were really good about moving out of the way. Just call out from behind like you would in a mountain bike race. Like anything, there are always people who don’t want to move out of the way. If you’ve asked several times nicely, I see no problem with asking a bit more “forcefully.” This reminds me of a mountain bike race I was in a couple of years ago. This dude would not let me pass. We got to a short but wide steep climb section and I took the opportunity to pass him. He actually grabbed my arm like he was trying to hold me back from passing. I shook his hand off and kept going (never saw him again). It amazes me the kind of people that are out there.
Well, there’s nothing written in the rule books. Here’s how I do it, and how I’ve suggested to my son to do it:
Being behind on singletrack is a disadvantage, so strategically you should stress performance in the water a little more than you might in a road triathlon. That being said there is no excuse for hindering someone else’s race. Passing is basically by the same etiquette as mtn biking, but the guy being overtaken has no obligation to hurt HIS race performance for the guy behind. This is because unlike a mtb race, there is another leg coming up and having someone pass you on the bike doesn’t mean he’s faster than you. Unless the guy behind you has announced a desire to pass, don’t give it any thought. He probably wants to rest there. Always allow a pass as soon as the trail is wide enough. You announce your intention to move over and coast as soon as you see the opening to help the guy behind you make the pass. Mtn biking requires that you develop the skill of passing on single-track. Practice it repeatedly on your group rides. When it comes down to it, you are responsible for passing and if you don’t get cooperation you need to force the pass. That’s part of mountain bike racing.
Racers riding a bicycle have the right of way over racers pushing bicycles. When practical, racers pushing should stay on the least rideable portion of the path when being passed. A racer pushing or carrying his bicycle can overtake a racer riding his bicycle, provided he does not interfere with the rider’s progress. (NORBA rule 5.12.2)
Riders should voice the command “track” or “trail” when overtaking another. It is the responsibility of the challenging rider to overtake safely. You must yield to the passing rider on the first command. (NORBA rule 5.12.3)
Like the others said, you’re all racing so if you’re faster you have to make your way around the slower rider. When we’re riding my kids will sometimes complain that whoever is leading is going too slow and I’ll tell them: “well if you’re faster then pass!” Sometimes they can’t and the one in the front will say “so who’s going too slow now?!” Gotta love sibling rivalry
There is an additional potential explanation. I participated in an xterra event a few years ago and it scared the crap out of me because of my limited bike skills. As a MOP guy I came out of the water in decent position and was passed by several people in the first few miles who looked like real mtb people. While, I had practiced diligently with my new mtb in the hills near my house, much like I would for a road tri, it was simply not insufficient for dealing with being passed on single track. After taking a header when about the 10th person passed me, being passed again on the single track scared me silly. I have never been so happy to get off a bike in race (even an IM). So perhaps the poor guy in front had my biking skills and just couldn’t get out of the way safely. I found the people at the race to be quite friendly and helpful, more so than at a road tri.
Since my background was pro mountain biking, many thought that I would do much better at XTERRA events versus road triathlons. As an average swimmer though I found that passing on the road is much easier and without conflict. Passing on singletrack was extremely difficult and was mostly due to inexperience of some of the XTERRA racers who had their hands full with the trail ahead. Some clearly did not understand what “on your left” or “on your right” means, and when I was more specific “Hey I want to pass on your left” many were just too flustered and did not know what to do. There were also a few folks who could not accept the fact that someone wanted to pass them and they were literaly doing their best thing to block.
If I were a faster swimmer, I certainly would enjoy off-road triathlons
I hope that won’t end up being your only Xterra experience. Ride more and you’ll start to really enjoy the Xterras. There’s a real family atmosphere there (at least after the races!).
We could compare notes a little. My FIRST TIME ON A MOUNTAIN BIKE was my first off-road triathlon. I had no idea what I was in for! I’d borrowed a bike from a friend and put my road cycling pedals on.
After that I decided not to do mountain biking. But then I did the same race the next year with another borrowed bike, but this time I rode the course once before the race. After that one I changed from never wanting to do it, to wanting to conquer the sport that almost conquered me.
This is a combined etiquette/equipment issue.
don’t ruin your own race but don’t kill someone else’s for no good reason.
I have done a couple of offroads (one an Xterra). Both on a rigid mtn bike. On the first I did pretty well and passed a lot of people I did not really expect it but did appreciate it. On the second I got hammered. It was a really rocky course and a ton of people were walking (I tried that but it was truly ankle buster territory and I was better off on the bike). Anyway on the second race the fully suspended bikes were at a huge advantage, if someone asked I would find a wide spot and give them the go ahead if i could not find a spot quickly I would pull out and let them go.
A good line is very important offroad so if you have not developed the eye for this then let people pass
Yes, it is the responsibility of the overtaker to pass safely. However, common sense and the fact that the faster riders tend to be a bit more aggressive tell you that it’s in everyone’s best interest for the slower riders to move over and allow the faster riders to pass safely.
What I’ve found is that those who know proper mtn bike ettiquite know this and abide by it; those who don’t, typically newbies to XTERRA or beginners, tend to get upset when the aggressive mtber/slower swimmer gets a bit flustered and makes a pass anyway. Right or wrong, it happens. Being nice in the race and asking once or twice usually goes a long way. But then, sometimes, it just comes down to making the pass happen.
I did a non-sanctioned race where some people were wearing I-pods. It was a real pain in the ass to pass them. I didn’t have the breath for screaming loud and they seemed startled when I went around.
I did Vashon a few weeks back and the RD made a point to tell competitors to let faster bikes pass. It was super valuable, especially on a fairly short, multi lap course. Most of the people understood it when the RD told them about it. It may have been a different story if they were not told what to do in advance. What Brandon P suggests is a chump tactic. I don’t suggest it. Brandon and I would have words after the race if he tried that in front of me. Blocking is for chumps on and off road.
There is some bad advice on this thread. I purely focus on Xterras, and you should ALWAYS let the faster rider pass. Blocking is a total dick tactic. I always make the best effort to let the approaching rider pass without slowing down. The fact that there is another leg gives even MORE reason to let them pass. Why would you think that you might be faster on the run? If they are kicking your ass on the bike, they are more than likely going to kick your ass on the run too. You aren’t helping yourself, you are only hurting their chances of catching the next racer.
