Trail Etiquette: Always watch your back

[WrenchMonkey]

We had a great time at Rush two weeks ago, but there were a couple of points discussed at the club meeting afterward that deserve reposting here, for more attention.

One is the need for better trail communication, whether that's CBs, or two-ways, or whatever. that's being discussed (at length) in another thread.

This thread is meant to be a reminder of the "Watch Your Six" rule: Always, always keep an eye on the rig behind you, keep him in your mirror. If he stops, you stop. We never want to leave anyone behind in the woods.

Saturday evening at Rush, we made a clear decision to split the group on the way to HardCORE. But there were several times through the weekend, when someone had mechanical issues, or struggled with an obstacle, only to have the group ahead just ride off into the sunset. At one point, I had to go back and find Jeff, broken down and alone in the woods, because he just fell off the end of the line. That is not good.

So always watch the guy behind you. If the group is too big and progress too slow (like it did get to be Saturday), we can always split into smaller groups, and usually will. But that has to be communicated and agreed upon. We never just leave anyone behind.

Thanks.