Alerting horse riders
 

Travelling the last half a mile to my house yesterday, after a couple of hours on an old railway line, I approached a woman on a horse, on a country lane. As I always do, I rang my bell to alert the rider of my approach. This is almost exactly the tool in question;

https://www.dhgate.com/product/ea14-...400134415.html

On hearing my bell, the woman responded with a haughty "Errr...perhaps ringing the bell isn't a good idea? Just say 'hello' when you approach!" The animal had briefly responded by skewing sideways upon hearing the bell. I rang at about 20 yards behind her and slowed to about 5mph.

I replied by saying that other horse riders appreciated my ringing the bell as a courtesy to them. She didn't seem to believe me.

Of course, in the minute or two it took to get home, I reflected on how I *should* have responded. My considered response would have been "If your animal is so highly strung, that the rather innocuous sound of a small bell causes you to lose control of it, then perhaps you shouldn't be taking it where it can potentially harm others?".

The many other horse riders I have met along this route have been the model of civility.

What's the consensus? To ring, or call out?

Alerting horse riders
 

On Monday, April 29, 2019 at 4:13:08 PM UTC+1, True Blue wrote:
Travelling the last half a mile to my house yesterday, after a couple of hours on an old railway line, I approached a woman on a horse, on a country lane. As I always do, I rang my bell to alert the rider of my approach. This is almost exactly the tool in question;

https://www.dhgate.com/product/ea14-...400134415.html

On hearing my bell, the woman responded with a haughty "Errr...perhaps ringing the bell isn't a good idea? Just say 'hello' when you approach!" The animal had briefly responded by skewing sideways upon hearing the bell. I rang at about 20 yards behind her and slowed to about 5mph.

I replied by saying that other horse riders appreciated my ringing the bell as a courtesy to them. She didn't seem to believe me.

Of course, in the minute or two it took to get home, I reflected on how I *should* have responded. My considered response would have been "If your animal is so highly strung, that the rather innocuous sound of a small bell causes you to lose control of it, then perhaps you shouldn't be taking it where it can potentially harm others?".

The many other horse riders I have met along this route have been the model of civility.

What's the consensus? To ring, or call out?

I have a Campag freewheel that makes a racket when I stop pedalling, so I use that as it seems to show that I have slowed down as well.

Alerting horse riders
 

On 29/04/2019 16:13, True Blue wrote:

What's the consensus? To ring, or call out?

My anecdote, I was once behind a couple of walkers and called out. One
of them said "oh that's better than a bell".

I call out behind a horse - a voice must be a more familiar sound to it.
And it requires less effort than fumbling for a bell.

Alerting horse riders
 

On 29/04/2019 16:13, True Blue wrote:
Travelling the last half a mile to my house yesterday, after a couple of hours on an old railway line, I approached a woman on a horse, on a country lane. As I always do, I rang my bell to alert the rider of my approach. This is almost exactly the tool in question;

https://www.dhgate.com/product/ea14-...400134415.html

On hearing my bell, the woman responded with a haughty "Errr...perhaps ringing the bell isn't a good idea? Just say 'hello' when you approach!" The animal had briefly responded by skewing sideways upon hearing the bell. I rang at about 20 yards behind her and slowed to about 5mph.

I replied by saying that other horse riders appreciated my ringing the bell as a courtesy to them. She didn't seem to believe me.

Of course, in the minute or two it took to get home, I reflected on how I *should* have responded. My considered response would have been "If your animal is so highly strung, that the rather innocuous sound of a small bell causes you to lose control of it, then perhaps you shouldn't be taking it where it can potentially harm others?".

The many other horse riders I have met along this route have been the model of civility.

What's the consensus? To ring, or call out?


Riding a railway line must be uncomfortable, is it fitted with a seat?

Alerting horse riders
 

On 29/04/2019 16:13, True Blue wrote:
Travelling the last half a mile to my house yesterday, after a couple of hours on an old railway line, I approached a woman on a horse, on a country lane. As I always do, I rang my bell to alert the rider of my approach. This is almost exactly the tool in question;

https://www.dhgate.com/product/ea14-...400134415.html

On hearing my bell, the woman responded with a haughty "Errr...perhaps ringing the bell isn't a good idea? Just say 'hello' when you approach!" The animal had briefly responded by skewing sideways upon hearing the bell. I rang at about 20 yards behind her and slowed to about 5mph.

I replied by saying that other horse riders appreciated my ringing the bell as a courtesy to them. She didn't seem to believe me.

Of course, in the minute or two it took to get home, I reflected on how I *should* have responded. My considered response would have been "If your animal is so highly strung, that the rather innocuous sound of a small bell causes you to lose control of it, then perhaps you shouldn't be taking it where it can potentially harm others?".

The many other horse riders I have met along this route have been the model of civility.

What's the consensus? To ring, or call out?


the general consensus among horsey types and cycling groups is that you
should speak, not make sharp noises.

"When overtaking, cyclists should give horses plenty of room and proceed
slowly. It is better to wait for oncoming traffic to pass than to be
forced too close to a horse. Cyclists shouldn't do anything that is
likely to startle the horse such as shouting loudly or using a bell or
horn."

The above sums up passing horses.

Alerting horse riders
 

On 30/04/2019 08:44, MrCheerful wrote:

Do you ride horse or ride a bike? Then wind your neck in.

Alerting horse riders
 

On 29/04/2019 16:13, True Blue wrote:
Travelling the last half a mile to my house yesterday, after a couple of hours on an old railway line, I approached a woman on a horse, on a country lane. As I always do, I rang my bell to alert the rider of my approach. This is almost exactly the tool in question;

https://www.dhgate.com/product/ea14-...400134415.html

On hearing my bell, the woman responded with a haughty "Errr...perhaps ringing the bell isn't a good idea? Just say 'hello' when you approach!" The animal had briefly responded by skewing sideways upon hearing the bell. I rang at about 20 yards behind her and slowed to about 5mph.

I replied by saying that other horse riders appreciated my ringing the bell as a courtesy to them. She didn't seem to believe me.

Of course, in the minute or two it took to get home, I reflected on how I *should* have responded. My considered response would have been "If your animal is so highly strung, that the rather innocuous sound of a small bell causes you to lose control of it, then perhaps you shouldn't be taking it where it can potentially harm others?".

The many other horse riders I have met along this route have been the model of civility.

What's the consensus? To ring, or call out?

I call out "cyclist behind", the horses recognise it as a human so

aren't quite so skittish the riders appreciate it as it lets them now

something is approaching from their rear. I would not think of ringing

a bell behind a horse, even the most mentally stable horse can become

three-quarters of a ton of uncontrollable beast.

Alerting horse riders
 

True Blue wrote:
Travelling the last half a mile to my house yesterday, after a couple
of hours on an old railway line, I approached a woman on a horse, on
a country lane. As I always do, I rang my bell to alert the rider of
my approach. This is almost exactly the tool in question;

https://www.dhgate.com/product/ea14-...400134415.html

On hearing my bell, the woman responded with a haughty
"Errr...perhaps ringing the bell isn't a good idea? Just say 'hello'
when you approach!" The animal had briefly responded by skewing
sideways upon hearing the bell. I rang at about 20 yards behind her
and slowed to about 5mph.

I replied by saying that other horse riders appreciated my ringing
the bell as a courtesy to them. She didn't seem to believe me.

Of course, in the minute or two it took to get home, I reflected on
how I *should* have responded. My considered response would have been
"If your animal is so highly strung, that the rather innocuous sound
of a small bell causes you to lose control of it, then perhaps you
shouldn't be taking it where it can potentially harm others?".

The many other horse riders I have met along this route have been the
model of civility.

What's the consensus? To ring, or call out?

Just accept that the majority of people detest cyclists.
Grow up, get a job and buy a car

Alerting horse riders
 

On Tuesday, April 30, 2019 at 3:11:44 PM UTC+1, Mr Pounder Esquire wrote:

Just accept that the majority of people detest cyclists.

Can you provide evidence to support this claim?

Grow up

Define Grown Up.

get a job

Unlike a lifetime dole hoover such as you I have a job, and it pays really well.

and buy a car

Already got one.
Unlike most car owners I don't store my personal possessions on public roads.
Isn't it time you must have off road parking before you can own a car?

Alerting horse riders
 

On 01/05/2019 02:11, Mr Pounder Esquire wrote:
Just accept that the majority of people detest cyclists.
Grow up, get a job and buy a car

If growing up means becoming like you, then no thanks.