Okay, what is the correct trail etiquette when passing someone going the other way on an ATV/dirtbike trail?

I was originally taught that you show how many riders are BEHIND you by using your fingers. Today when passing a dirt bike going the other way, I held up one finger to show him that there was one rider behind me. The next second he almost collided with my wife. Then he says, " I thought you meant one rider only. Just you!"

Okay, which is correct. I say that you hold up your hand to show how many riders are behind you. Then the last person in the party holds up his fist with no fingers extended to show that he is the last one.

OR do you:

Show the TOTAL number of riders in your party with your fingers when passing someone.

 

You show the number of riders BEHIND you. The last person holds up a closed fist.

 

What maddog said.

 

Yep...same signalling for riding on snowmobiles as well. You showing how many are behind you...because he has already seen you.
He was probably embarrased to have a close call with your wife, and had to come up with something.

 

Even if he assumed you were the last on a two way trail he should have still taken care encase another group follows.

The closed fist is not the sign to up the speed and ride reckless. The first group you pass may and probally is not the only group you will encounter.

 

but if you're wearing mittens while snowmobiling its impossible to show with your fingers how many are behind you. lol.

 

Maddog is 100% correct.

 

Our trails are so narrow we have to stop and negotiate a passing strategy anyway. if its a wider trail and i in a hurry i do the above signal how many are behind me. I always thought that was a rule of thumb.

More important etiquet would be if your beboppin down a trail and a faster rider comes behind you. pull out of the way at the earliest convinience. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]