Group ride "do's and don'ts" basic trail Etiquette

[Ajb9]

Ok for the majority of us this is commonly known but occasionally on a group ride i'm not convinced that one or two has a clue... so I thought we could come up with a list that we could reference. What suggestions for "Do's and Don'ts" would you suggest for the new rider or the invited non members?
We all know that a little common sense and courtesy goes a long way but maybe if we talk about it maybe things will go a little smoother! Here are some of my idea's feel free to add....
Doo's...
There are plenty of Trail Etiquette links on the internet. Here is one that I found that covers some of the Basics https://www.drivingline.com/articles...ail-etiquette/
1. Come prepared:
Have the right gear for any anticipated weather, flat tire, tow straps, water, food and a first aid kit ect...
2. Keep sight of or track of the rider in front and behind you:
Wait in the turns for the person behind and make sure he sees you. If he doesn't show in a reasonable amount of time radio the person ahead if possible and go back to where you last saw them. If there is a intersection or side trail stay straight on the well traveled trail or look for the tracks in the ground. If there is a turn you need to take someone will be waiting for you if you are still confused stay put so you can be easily found.
3.Be courteous of oncoming traffic know who has the right away:
Slow down or stop for all pedestrians, bicycles, animals and horses don't dust them out and make sure they see you. Signal the oncoming vehicle on how many they can expect behind you by holding up that many fingers and a fist lets them know your last. The person on the hill coming down has the right away!
4.Pull over to stop on the trail:
If you have to stop for any reason pull off the trail. The person behind you may not see you. especially in a turn or top of a hill.
5.Know where you are going and a general idea of where you are:
Carry a map of the area or a gps app for your phone is an inexpensive way to know where you are. I use GAIA gps app the basic is about $20 and works w/o cell service but there are plenty to chose from. also 611 and 911 are suppose to work without cell service.
6. leave no man behind:
if you started out with the group we have no intention of leaving you in the back woods to fend for yourself so don't just leave the group with out telling someone.

Dont's..... come on I'm sure everyone has a few...
1. Don't be a slacker...
We all have a certain amount of investment to be on the ride we all want to get in the great outdoors and enjoy...not sit in a traffic jam for no good reason. If someone doesn't show up or keep a moderate pace there needs to be a good reason. Excluding mechanical problem, break down, bathroom or medical issues. If the trail or conditions are a little to hairy for you but Trying... most of us would help you out spot the obstacles or give you some pointers. But creeping along at a snails pace because you won't clean your windshield to see because you might scratch it, don't want your soda to spill, cant keep the kids or dog from jumping out.. what ever! inadvertently you are holding the rest of the group Hostage! This could mean that the group ride is cut short or finish in the allotted time the leader has set aside. Most of us are patient to a certain amount of this but we all have our limits.
2. invitees, friends and ride alongs...
They are Your responsibility ... Let them know whats expected of them and know there experience level before you bring them on a group ride.... Don't expect someone else in the group to babysit them.
3. Show up at the designated start time ready to go...
Occasionally things can happen understandable. just make an attempt to call and let someone know.
4. Don't purposely hyjack or scatter someones ride...
You need to follow the person in front of you. If you take off up a hill because you think it would be cool to climb or want to see whats down that side trail. Chances are the people behind you will follow and you just turned our group ride into a search party. The guy that posts the ride.. Its their ride if you have something to contribute talk it over with them or let them know you have decided to go your own way!

[EPL]

Sounds like good "do's and don'ts" to go by !!

[Jeepalive]

One thing I would add but don’t want to be there guy, have a good radio in the front and a good radio in the back, I know this last weekend we could not talk with people in the back to know what was going on, we lost I think 4 people 5 miles in because they didn’t have a radio with them.

[stetson]

Ok for the majority of us this is commonly known but occasionally on a group ride i'm not convinced that one or two has a clue... so I thought we could come up with a list that we could reference. What suggestions for "Do's and Don'ts" would you suggest for the new rider or the invited non members?
We all know that a little common sense and courtesy goes a long way but maybe if we talk about it maybe things will go a little smoother! Here are some of my idea's feel free to add....
Doo's...
There are plenty of Trail Etiquette links on the internet. Here is one that I found that covers some of the Basics https://www.drivingline.com/articles...ail-etiquette/
1. Come prepared:
Have the right gear for any anticipated weather, flat tire, tow straps, water, food and a first aid kit ect...
2. Keep sight of or track of the rider in front and behind you:
Wait in the turns for the person behind and make sure he sees you. If he doesn't show in a reasonable amount of time radio the person ahead if possible and go back to where you last saw them. If there is a intersection or side trail stay straight on the well traveled trail or look for the tracks in the ground. If there is a turn you need to take someone will be waiting for you if you are still confused stay put so you can be easily found.
3.Be courteous of oncoming traffic know who has the right away:
Slow down or stop for all pedestrians, bicycles, animals and horses don't dust them out and make sure they see you. Signal the oncoming vehicle on how many they can expect behind you by holding up that many fingers and a fist lets them know your last. The person on the hill coming down has the right away!
4.Pull over to stop on the trail:
If you have to stop for any reason pull off the trail. The person behind you may not see you. especially in a turn or top of a hill.
5.Know where you are going and a general idea of where you are:
Carry a map of the area or a gps app for your phone is an inexpensive way to know where you are. I use GAIA gps app the basic is about $20 and works w/o cell service but there are plenty to chose from. also 611 and 911 are suppose to work without cell service.
6. leave no man behind:
if you started out with the group we have no intention of leaving you in the back woods to fend for yourself so don't just leave the group with out telling someone.

Dont's..... come on I'm sure everyone has a few...
1. Don't be a slacker...
We all have a certain amount of investment to be on the ride we all want to get in the great outdoors and enjoy...not sit in a traffic jam for no good reason. If someone doesn't show up or keep a moderate pace there needs to be a good reason. Excluding mechanical problem, break down, bathroom or medical issues. If the trail or conditions are a little to hairy for you but Trying... most of us would help you out spot the obstacles or give you some pointers. But creeping along at a snails pace because you won't clean your windshield to see because you might scratch it, don't want your soda to spill, cant keep the kids or dog from jumping out.. what ever! inadvertently you are holding the rest of the group Hostage! This could mean that the group ride is cut short or finish in the allotted time the leader has set aside. Most of us are patient to a certain amount of this but we all have our limits.
2. invitees, friends and ride alongs...
They are Your responsibility ... Let them know whats expected of them and know there experience level before you bring them on a group ride.... Don't expect someone else in the group to babysit them.
3. Show up at the designated start time ready to go...
Occasionally things can happen understandable. just make an attempt to call and let someone know.
4. Don't purposely hyjack or scatter someones ride...
You need to follow the person in front of you. If you take off up a hill because you think it would be cool to climb or want to see whats down that side trail. Chances are the people behind you will follow and you just turned our group ride into a search party. The guy that posts the ride.. Its their ride if you have something to contribute talk it over with them or let them know you have decided to go your own way!

Sounds like good trail smarts

[Ajb9]

One thing I would add but don’t want to be there guy, have a good radio in the front and a good radio in the back, I know this last weekend we could not talk with people in the back to know what was going on, we lost I think 4 people 5 miles in because they didn’t have a radio with them.

Agreed.. honestly a handheld is only $58 on sale at rugged. There really shouldn’t be an excuse not to have one!

[Mike621]

Last ride my brand new supposedly Rugged Radio wouldn’t broadcast 5 miles into the ride, then mysteriously started working 5 miles from the end.
Another don’t, and I know this is hard to do, is for whoever is leading the ride to not turn it into a race, this is very hard to do when your having fun, and know we’re your going, sometimes when I’m leading a ride I have to remember that some people never been here before.
Maybe on ready big groups say over 20 cars we could have two groups, or if whoever is planning a ride could limit the group to whatever they think would be the right size group for the ride, some of the group I ride motorcycles with do it that way.

[Scrat]

Agreed.. honestly a handheld is only $58 on sale at rugged. There really shouldn’t be an excuse not to have one!

I think my RR was one of the best things I have purchased for my rzr . It is always good to hear what is going on .

[Kbachell]

Ok for the majority of us this is commonly known but occasionally on a group ride i'm not convinced that one or two has a clue... so I thought we could come up with a list that we could reference. What suggestions for "Do's and Don'ts" would you suggest for the new rider or the invited non members?
We all know that a little common sense and courtesy goes a long way but maybe if we talk about it maybe things will go a little smoother! Here are some of my idea's feel free to add....
Doo's...
There are plenty of Trail Etiquette links on the internet. Here is one that I found that covers some of the Basics https://www.drivingline.com/articles...ail-etiquette/
1. Come prepared:
Have the right gear for any anticipated weather, flat tire, tow straps, water, food and a first aid kit ect...
2. Keep sight of or track of the rider in front and behind you:
Wait in the turns for the person behind and make sure he sees you. If he doesn't show in a reasonable amount of time radio the person ahead if possible and go back to where you last saw them. If there is a intersection or side trail stay straight on the well traveled trail or look for the tracks in the ground. If there is a turn you need to take someone will be waiting for you if you are still confused stay put so you can be easily found.
3.Be courteous of oncoming traffic know who has the right away:
Slow down or stop for all pedestrians, bicycles, animals and horses don't dust them out and make sure they see you. Signal the oncoming vehicle on how many they can expect behind you by holding up that many fingers and a fist lets them know your last. The person on the hill coming down has the right away!
4.Pull over to stop on the trail:
If you have to stop for any reason pull off the trail. The person behind you may not see you. especially in a turn or top of a hill.
5.Know where you are going and a general idea of where you are:
Carry a map of the area or a gps app for your phone is an inexpensive way to know where you are. I use GAIA gps app the basic is about $20 and works w/o cell service but there are plenty to chose from. also 611 and 911 are suppose to work without cell service.
6. leave no man behind:
if you started out with the group we have no intention of leaving you in the back woods to fend for yourself so don't just leave the group with out telling someone.

Dont's..... come on I'm sure everyone has a few...
1. Don't be a slacker...
We all have a certain amount of investment to be on the ride we all want to get in the great outdoors and enjoy...not sit in a traffic jam for no good reason. If someone doesn't show up or keep a moderate pace there needs to be a good reason. Excluding mechanical problem, break down, bathroom or medical issues. If the trail or conditions are a little to hairy for you but Trying... most of us would help you out spot the obstacles or give you some pointers. But creeping along at a snails pace because you won't clean your windshield to see because you might scratch it, don't want your soda to spill, cant keep the kids or dog from jumping out.. what ever! inadvertently you are holding the rest of the group Hostage! This could mean that the group ride is cut short or finish in the allotted time the leader has set aside. Most of us are patient to a certain amount of this but we all have our limits.
2. invitees, friends and ride alongs...
They are Your responsibility ... Let them know whats expected of them and know there experience level before you bring them on a group ride.... Don't expect someone else in the group to babysit them.
3. Show up at the designated start time ready to go...
Occasionally things can happen understandable. just make an attempt to call and let someone know.
4. Don't purposely hyjack or scatter someones ride...
You need to follow the person in front of you. If you take off up a hill because you think it would be cool to climb or want to see whats down that side trail. Chances are the people behind you will follow and you just turned our group ride into a search party. The guy that posts the ride.. Its their ride if you have something to contribute talk it over with them or let them know you have decided to go your own way!

Very well done, Alan. I have headed up many offroad trips, and you'd be surprised how many "newbies" I had to school on how to be prepared... They could not understand why I insisted on a sweatshirt and jacket, in August at Rubicon... that is until they got up there! I also like the comment about holding the ride hostage when a participant decides to maintain a slower pace than the rest of the group; it can become a frustrating Tug-a-war game trying to keep up with the person in front of you, while stopping periodically to avoid losing the slower paced person behind. I forget, sometimes, that not everyone has been offroading like some of us have all of our life so it is good to review these not necessarily common "common sense" rules. Thanks for taking the time!

[Sweet34]

I need to show this list to the people I ride with .

[gridman]

This needs to be added to all SXS just like the warning stickers LOL