Quote:
Andrew said he was riding up a trail on the eastern side of North Table Mountain Saturday when he came upon a runner with earbuds in both ears.
“When I saw [the runner], I started to ring the bell on my bike that I have to give him a heads up that there was someone behind him,” Andrew explained.
Andrew said another mountain biker descending the trail in the opposite direction also stopped to try to get the runner’s attention.
“As I passed, I shook my head because wearing headphones that cover both ears or two earbuds when out hiking or riding or running on these crowded trails on a weekend just seems – it’s sort of not a good idea,” Andrew said.
Andrew did not expect a profanity-laden response from the runner.
“The runner took exception and said, ‘shake your head at me like that again and I’ll beat your a** mother ******,’” Andrew told us.
Quote:
Mary Ann Bonnell with JeffCo Open Space said Andrew’s story highlights the problem of wearing earbuds on the trail.
“The earbuds prevented that individual from knowing that this cyclist, who was doing everything right, ringing the bell, trying to politely announce himself, trying to pass, just couldn’t get this trail runner’s attention.”
When it comes to trail etiquette, Bonnell summed it up with two words.
“Be respectful,” she said. “If you can just keep that in mind, everything else should fall in place.”
It doesn't matter if you're hiking, biking, running, or sunning -- YOU are the problem when you are oblivious to the environment and expect everyone else to adjust to you. I like to listen to podcasts or audiobooks when I'm out walking around too -- but I keep the volume low enough to be aware of my surroundings. I still keep eyes on trail and surveying around me.
