| "Rules of the (Off)Road" |
| "Just like when I had some riding buddies, one New guy THEY brought ( I didn't know him they did) got lost from the group out in the desert (Bean CYN), they just left him out there, said he was stupid for not keeping up and went home. I searched by riding a widening circle out from the trucks. It took about 3 hours and I found him around dark, still lost and walking , in a ravine his bike ran out of gas trying to find the trucks, he lost track of our dust and got lost. I gave him gas and we made it back (about 10 miles). I told those guys what I thought of them in very explicit terms, "no way will I ever ride with them again." |
| Here is an excerpt from a post on KTMTalk.com that describes a common situation that can occur while riding. |
| Because I wish to avoid situations like this or worse I have a put together these "Rules of the (Off)Road" (please email me if you have any suggestions to add to this list, thanks) 1. Always know where the rider behind you is. 2. Always know if you are the last rider. (#1 & #2 may have to be replaced by the Lead & Caboose if everyone in the group can't follow rules #1 & #2) 3. Intersections that "obviously" go straight can be assumed that the group went straight. 4. Intersections that turn or fork you must wait there until the next rider sees that you make the turn. 5. Never assume the rider behind you saw you make the turn, if you are not absolutely sure, hand signal to them & don't go on until you see them hand signal back! (Instead of #4 & #5 there is the "Cornerperson Concept" the 2nd rider waits at each turn & points to the rest of the riders which direction to turn & we leapfrog 2nd position) 6. Use "common sense" on long sections without any turns, stop every once in a while & make sure you hear the rider behind you. Even though they might not know you are there at least you know where they are. 7. If it is apparent the next rider is not coming, go back to the last known point of a complete group & wait there for at least 1/2 hour. Ride carefully back at a crawl pace to avoid a head-on & be prepared to jump off the track for the next rider coming through. If you can't get back together as a group go into the search & rescue mode. 8. Signal opposing riders (both 2 & 4 wheelers) with hand signals holding up fingers as to how may riders are behind you. (this will require that you know how many riders are in your group and what position you are) 9. SLOW DOWN to a crawl when approaching pedestrians, bicyclist, campers, residents, etc. (you never know if they might have kids or pets that you might run over if you are going too fast) Kill your motor for equestrians so you don't spook their horses & injure the rider. (Lot's of respect is gained this way) 10. Stay OFF of the trail when waiting for your group to get back together! 11. If you get lost, stuck, broke-down, hurt, etc., stop & wait there we will find you. 12. Never take off from the group without letting someone in the group know, this could cause a catastrophe! 13. Don't follow too close, just like on the street. If you hit the guy in front of you it IS your fault! I always hear "well he cut in front of me" In my opinion don't be behind him then, we're not in a race here, go to a track for that. 14. Ride until you have 1/2 a tank of gas left, then turn around and go back. 15. Don't go down something that you can't go back up unless you know where it goes. 16. Carry essentials (see "What To Carry") 17. Don't keep riding around the staging areas, go out away from things to ride. 18. Use radio's & GPS devices. I can't tell you how important I think these two devices can be, we have the technology let's learn how to use it. With a radio and GPS you can give someone else your coordinates & they can come directly to your exact location & usually within minutes! |
| Please also read the BlueRibbon Coalitions "Code of Ethics" |