tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8359915651309786241.post5655309932555646120..comments2024-03-27T08:06:53.882-07:00Comments on Raincoast Rider: Trail and Road Etiquette - What Do We Think?Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05438372155463437107noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8359915651309786241.post-17240832026730181592019-07-15T15:04:55.860-07:002019-07-15T15:04:55.860-07:00Definitely agree with other posters who say common...Definitely agree with other posters who say common sense matters most as well as communication. My biggest pet peeve is dogs off leash!!!! Dogs should be on a leash in a public space.L.Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05052638724440787772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8359915651309786241.post-28045498685744709722019-07-10T03:53:10.376-07:002019-07-10T03:53:10.376-07:00I concur with you on so many of these points! Espe...I concur with you on so many of these points! Especially communication. One of our wilderness areas gets easily up in arms over any hoof prints on the trails. Never mind that horses are 1. allowed to be there and 2. outnumbered by hiking visitors by at least 1000:1 - probably more! When I ride up there I always make happy banter with any hikers I see and answer their horse questions, let them take horse selfies, and generally try to be a good advocate. I tell anyone riding with me why I do it, too, so that they can hopefully take that knowledge and use it elsewhere so we can maintain a positive image.<br /><br />I'm also TOTALLY with you re: not riding some public trails even though I'm not forbidden from them. Our local mountain bike scene is HUGE and they've put a ton of work into our trails. I wouldn't dream of going on 90% of those trails with my horse at any time. Of the other 10%, I would only consider going on them if we were in a period of drought (rare occurrence!) and if I was riding on a week day evening when no one else would be out. Gotta keep all user groups happy and coexisting as much as possible!Liz Stouthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18267806576736655184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8359915651309786241.post-82739068398791827132019-07-04T12:47:26.010-07:002019-07-04T12:47:26.010-07:00You inspired a whole nother blog post by me tonigh...You inspired a whole nother blog post by me tonight. Thanks for the image, I have been trying to explain that to Germans but there is no equivalent here. lythahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01719586193059362084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8359915651309786241.post-3556520160092963422019-07-04T10:21:04.804-07:002019-07-04T10:21:04.804-07:00We've just started implementing signs at trail...We've just started implementing signs at trail heads, but it can be a little tricky here given it's mostly crown land and so there is no real 'owner' of the trails and the provincial govt is certainly not interested in maintaining or managing them. The worst place for me as far as riding with ignorant people is the local farmers market - despite signs saying not to, they park on the road and around the equestrian grounds and a number of them seem to think my horses are part of the experience and get far too close with cars, babies, dogs, strollers, etc.Thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05438372155463437107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8359915651309786241.post-52970641328249285922019-07-04T10:17:06.298-07:002019-07-04T10:17:06.298-07:00I've been so lucky with bikers - they've b...I've been so lucky with bikers - they've been awesome here. The only ongoing complaint I have is with loose dogs, particularly as the main trail head is adjacent to the equestrian club grounds and there are frequently excited dogs running around while their owner looks suprised their dog doesn't magically know what to do around horses. I always am nice about it because 99/100 the owner is honestly surprised their dog ran away from them, but say to be careful because Bridget kicks (she doesn't, but that seems to get the dog owners to take things seriously) That being said, the very worst offender is a fellow rider who takes her (not well trained) dogs along on rides.Thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05438372155463437107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8359915651309786241.post-57541242009245922762019-07-04T10:06:00.903-07:002019-07-04T10:06:00.903-07:00There's a park in the suburbs of Vancouver lik...There's a park in the suburbs of Vancouver like that! It was paradise to ride there (and a bit counter intuitive since it's 'the city/full of city people') I try to be extra friendly locally to make up for some of the entitled people, but I wonder if some trail etiquette info/posters/clinics targeted towards riders might be an idea here.Thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05438372155463437107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8359915651309786241.post-19099443844270049002019-07-04T09:50:09.560-07:002019-07-04T09:50:09.560-07:00Oh, I love the "hide my dogs in this brush wh...Oh, I love the "hide my dogs in this brush when I see a horse" move. The park that we ride out at most often is seriously an equestrian paradise. People are so use to sharing the trails with horses that I've never run into a problem there. If they're not sure how to act or where to go, they generally just call out and ask. Friendly communication is key, entitled horse people! ;)Carlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17308477892024999793noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8359915651309786241.post-87969609819115295802019-07-04T07:39:30.334-07:002019-07-04T07:39:30.334-07:00I'm with you. I've ridden with riders tha...I'm with you. I've ridden with riders that when a biker or runner doesn't precisely follow the rules (that let's face it, probably only equestrians pay attention to) they lose their shit and yell at the offender. You know who that helps? No one. It makes your horse nervous, it makes the other person resentful, etc. I always greet those approaching in a friendly way. I let them know that the two humans interacting makes my horse feel more relaxed - that typically does wonders for everyone's attitude. There are also single-file trails here that I won't go on. They tend to be filled with mountain bikers and it's just not a joy to constantly be riding up on them and having them get off onto a steep slope. HOWEVER - I do agree with Teresa that there are some "city folk" types that think of horses more as machines. I've had bicyclists completely ride up Gavin's butt before passing. Those people get a sharp rebuke and are lucky to not have gotten a kick.Erikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04862898176284766826noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8359915651309786241.post-60746697262546375752019-07-04T07:07:45.222-07:002019-07-04T07:07:45.222-07:00oh this is a hot topic. I think that if everyone h...oh this is a hot topic. I think that if everyone had common sense and then used it, there would be far fewer accidents. I find that a lot of 'city folk' are so removed from animals that they have no basic understanding of how they could react. I think having clear guidelines is good. I hiked a park in Arizona that was very clear as to who could use a particular trail (bike, pedestrians and horses) and who yielded. It was nice to see that and it was very well respected. TeresaAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05311118900077951863noreply@blogger.com