After two races, we've all had to deal with it - passing. Whether doing the passing or being passed, there's a few things to think about while out on the trail. Any time we're out on the trails, we need to remember there are other users. The interaction you have with that hiker, trail runner or fellow rider can color perspectives. We need all the good publicity we can get, especially on the busy and popular trails all along the front range. So here's some good tips to follow when out on the bike:

• Be nice to everyone- doesn't matter what happened earlier, that crappy day at work or the cranky family. You're riding your bike which means it's now a good day.
• Be aware of your surroundings and other trail users. I know lots of people like riding with music but head phones and tunes make it that much harder to be aware of what's around.
• Ride in control at all times. I know it's fun to go railing the trails, spraying dust around the corners. But if you can't see and you're out of control, what are you going to do when someone appears around the next bend?
• Announce your presence to other trail users. Doesn't need to be a conversation, just a simple hi, hello, or rider back.
• Tell them what you want to - it may not be obvious. I've had runners catch me while riding up the Chutes! If you get caught by another trail user, let them pass.
• Be polite - thank them for allowing you by, whether they made it easy or not. Also let them know how many riders are in your group. Remember, we are technically supposed to yield to every other trail users.

Okay, that's great for a fun ride with friends on open trails. What happens when the trails are closed and it's game on for racing? There's still some things to consider to make the event fun for everyone. Etiquette is just as important for racing as it is for riding, sometimes even more so because of the speeds involved. So remember these tips and let's have a fun race this week.

1. You are a rider, not a racer. Racing is something a rider does. So be polite, say hi to fellow racers before the start or after the finish and demonstrate good sportsmanship at all times.
2. When you pin a number plate on, you are paying for one way traffic with fellow riders who want to test both fitness AND skill. You are not paying for is clean course and people getting out of your way. Part of racing is testing yourself against the odds of when and where you can outride your competitors.
3. Be nice. Remember you get to ride / race your bike and eventually what goes around comes around. If you are nice, typically people are nice to you.
4. Be aware of other riders and be in control of the bike. Part of racing is riding fast, but also being able to clean technical sections when fatigued. Racing until you are exhausted may improve your fitness but it does not help you develop skills needed for passing. Be in control of yourself and your bike, be safe, and don't crash yourself or someone else.
5. Announce your presence. Yelling Move or Class Leader isn't polite and doesn't show good sportsmanship. You don't want to be "that guy." So again, be polite - saying hi, rider back or pass when safe. Remember the person you have caught or lapped also paid money to participate in the race. Just because they are slower then you does not mean they have any less right to the trail
6. When you catch someone, it is not assumed you want to pass. You need to tell them what you want to do. You may have drilled it to make the catch, but need 30 seconds to recover. There might be an obstacle ahead that you're not sure you can clean, or maybe the trail opens up to double track and you are willing to wait those few seconds. So let them know that you are good for now, then give some notice when you do want around. Communicate with fellow riders
7. The person being passed needs to participate and this can be a challenge some times. Some people think they need to stop and pull off completely off the trail while other people think it is up to the person who caught them to run over cacti and through bushes to make the pass Neither of these options make for good flow on the trail and can actually cause damage to the trails. So here's what works best:
   1. The person who makes the catch should announce their presence and say what they want to do. "On your right" or "Pass when safe"
   2. The person being passed needs to assess if they fell safe with the pass at that moment - this is where the conflict comes from. A skilled rider doesn't need as much room to pass as a novice rider. If the person being passed asks you to wait - catch your breath and wait for a better time.
   3. Once it is safe, say where you are going - and then follow through. It is acceptable for the person you caught to tell you which side to pass them on, so be aware of that and listen. If you call on the left, move as far left as you can. The person being passed should also move as far right as is safe. What is safe s a huge variable based on skill, so be patient. If the person being passed has the skill, they should lean their bike a little to the right to allow you more room around.
   4. Accelerate to make the pass, don't force the person you are passing to slow down too much let you around. It's your responsibility to get around, not their duty to let you pass - although most riders will gladly get a faster person off their wheel.

So that's it. Sounds pretty simple right? Well, in the heat of the race, the advanced skills can sometimes be forgotten and emotions can get the best of even the nicest person. Passing needs be added to the list of basics that we all practice - both to make riding more fun and racing safer. See you on July 10th for another go on the rocks of Palmer Park