Triad trailblazers

Trail Etiquette

Responsibilities to those in your group:

1.    The leader should know how many are in the group.  Additionally, a sweep (last rider) can be assigned to make sure no one is left behind.  Sweep riders are especially useful if there is radio communication (FRS Radios)  between the sweep and the leader.

2.    Each rider in the group is responsible for checking the rider in Front and Behind them.  Visually check the rider behind you at every intersection.  If there are no turns, and  you haven’t seen them for a few minutes, you should wait to see if they catch up.  If not, turn around and investigate.

3.    Make sure the rider behind you makes it over that tough spots before you race off.  He/She might need your help.

4.    Don’t follow too closely.  You could end up  involved in a wreck. 

5.    If the leader is waiting for the group to close up, the last rider should signal  when they catch up.

6.    Use hand signals to let the rider behind know you are stopping or slowing.  However, maintaining control of you machine always takes precedence over hand signals. 

7.      Turn on your lights.  It makes you much easier to see, both by others and by the person you are following, especially in deep woods.

8.      Never pressure anyone to tackle a section of trail they do not wish to.

 

Responsible to those not in your group:

1.      Don’t block permanent loading ramps, trailheads, restroom facilities, or other access points with your hauler or your ATV.

2.      When passing groups going the other way, holding up the number of fingers to indicate how many riders are following you can reduce the risk of head-on collisions.  If you hold your hand with the back towards them and fingers spread, they will know you aren’t just waving.  If there are more than five (5) riders behind you, just hold up five fingers and keep the other hand on the grip.  Each rider above five will signal five until it is less than five riders following.  You should know how many riders are behind you in your group.  The last rider should hold up the Ok signal to signal no more following.  Again, maintaining control of you machine takes precedence over any hand signals.

3.      If a faster ATV is coming up behind you, at the most convenient and safest place, please pull over to the right of the trail and wave the rider to pass you.

4.      If you overtake a slower ATV, patiently wait until they find a convenient and safe place to pull over and until they wave for you to pass.  Pass at a moderate speed.  Never pass unless the person in front of you either pulls over or waves you around.  They may not know you are behind them and can swerve into your path while your passing.

5.      On those twisty trails with limited sight,  lower your speed.  Consider if you are traveling at 30 mph and an oncoming rider is doing 30, your closure rate is 60mph!  Is there enough room for both to stop? 

6.      Trash, if  you brought it, take it out.  Don’t leave it by the trail.  Help keep our trails beautiful.