Probably half of the time we go riding we end up hooking up with other riders and we've had some great rides. Having said that, last year we met some guys in the parking lot that were new to the area that wanted to tag along. We agreed to show them how to get in to Mt Jeff and by the time we realized these guys were idiots we felt like we couldn't ditch them because they might not make it out. Long story involving the word "cluster", we got them out after riding their sleds across sidehills, changing belts, watching them polish off a bottle of whiskey and talk talk talk like they were seasoned mountain riders. Anybody got any sage advise about summing up your fellow riders given 10 minutes in the parking lot?
Friend or Foe, deciding who's a poser in the parking lot
- Thread starter revpilot
- Start date
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mtn_extreme
Well-known member
Yep,
Ask them if they have their beacon on. If they say no then you have your clue
Ask them if they have their beacon on. If they say no then you have your clue
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Zachcreek
Well-known member
Its like climbing in the mtns. (Winter routes, Couliers. I do alot of that) Know your partners. You really need to feel comfortable with those that are with you and know that you really could put your life on the line for some idiot. The whiskey is the first sign. Take them on some easy stuff and see how they fare. If you want to be the nice tour guide because of their ability, then show them around. If they can hang on the side of the Mts, progress to your ability. Otherwise advise them of the trails in the area. I love to show people my backyard. Depends on my agenda for the day. Deep pow or the average day.
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BigTruck
ACCOUNT CLOSED
I usually try and stick to the group or partner im riding with. Unless we go up on a family or girls ride! Otherwise you never know what you'll end up with.
Also you can be putting yourself in harms way by riding with people like this. As you mentioned these guy's were hittin the sauce pretty good. All it takes is a missed turn or an "unseen" tree and somebody is dead.
NO THANKS!!!
I'll stick to my group and people I know or have met elswhere other that just pulling into a sno-park.
Im sure all of the forum peeps are good to ride with.
Also you can be putting yourself in harms way by riding with people like this. As you mentioned these guy's were hittin the sauce pretty good. All it takes is a missed turn or an "unseen" tree and somebody is dead.
NO THANKS!!!
I'll stick to my group and people I know or have met elswhere other that just pulling into a sno-park.
Im sure all of the forum peeps are good to ride with.
Me Too! But I am an A -hole so that thins out the crowd!
I actually miss more days Than I would like because My ridding partners are to limited ! It sucks the worst when its dumping and no one can ride !no beacon and drinking - next ! I would just as soon stay in the truck. I pick people out of ditches all day at work so I would rather not do it on my days off. I've had the luck of people taking me under there wing and showing me the area but I always know what my limits are and Ill tell who ever im with that its time for me to head back so I dont ruin there day ( it also works if I hook up with some goof balls that Ill read about monday morning). The way I see it what comes around goes around .
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Ex-Member
ACCOUNT CLOSED
I'm with you on that, but it is fun to get out and ride with other people.
Personally I'd rather stick with someone who's on here than some n00b in the parking lot... most SnoWesters seem to have their stuff together and won't put you in danger.
And yeah; alcohol, no beacon, big talk... bad news.
i never hook up in paking lots but I did hook up in the hills
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BigTruck
ACCOUNT CLOSED
Me Too! But I am an A -hole so that thins out the crowd!
Hell, I'll ride wich ya! Oh yea it might be a bit of a drive!
OK maybey not!
because of my schedule not always lining up with my normal riding buds, i frequently (once a week) go to a trailhead of an area i want to ride....i try to get there early and get my sled warmed up and myself ready to ride...i then observe others coming into the parking lot...observing their age, sleds, proficency unloading and their general demeanor....if i think i will fit in, i go introduce myself and ask to tag-along.....if there is hesitation, i just say if i can't keep up, i'll come back solo, no problem.....never been turned down, and i've never slowed anyone down either.....because i know the areas well, after a while, i'm generally asked to lead....by now, i've been able to assess their skills, and take them on a ride that is challenging and fun....i'm usually asked for a phone # to get together for a future ride...i've had some really excellent rides with guys i don't know....so out of the closet, open the mind, sometimes the people are a good part of the ride
maybe i'm in the minority but i like riding with new people. usually learning some new little tips and tricks and areas to ride. ive really only ridden with slower riders but i dont mind waiting and getting a chuckle out of someone else's misfortune, getting stuck etc. hey a day digging out sleds beats a day at work any day.
I don't mind taking people who are learning if they're up front about it. The trip I hated was taking 2 guys who showed up in 100k rig with mod mountain sleds, talking like they're one of us and then turned out to be psycho drunks who couldn't even ride.
i've had this one happen a few times. then they show up and ask if you have any oil. wtf so i'm pissed from the start and have a terrible day. thanks for bringing that one up. now i'm pissed again.
It is a rare occasion when I will join up with someone else in the parking lot (un-planned). I have had many offers, most times I just smile and say we are headed somewhere new today and most likely it aint going to be much fun...then throw out a few jokes about trying to ride areas you've spotted on google earth and how they never pan out. Then I smile and say I'll take you up on it next time out.
You have ridden enough to know, I can spot someone that knows the game right off. If they ask to tag along (rarely do I see this happen) I ask them where they plan on riding and if they seem to know the area well and mention areas that I know not everyone can get to, I'm all over it. Always fun to ride with new people.
Cheers!
Chris
You have ridden enough to know, I can spot someone that knows the game right off. If they ask to tag along (rarely do I see this happen) I ask them where they plan on riding and if they seem to know the area well and mention areas that I know not everyone can get to, I'm all over it. Always fun to ride with new people.
Cheers!
Chris
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shortstop20
Well-known member
I don't get to ride with people I don't know very much but I do enjoy it. The more good riding buddies the better IMO. I agree as long as they're up front that they're a beginner I wouldn't have a problem with them riding with me(unless it's a super deep day). Drinking and riding is a bad idea too. Then you've got the guys that do nothing but talk a big game all day, where's the duct-tape when I need it to shut their mouth!?
If you're gonna join somebody else's group, or somebody is joining your group, the person joining should have enough common sense to realize that they are going to make an impression on the people they want to ride with immediately and usually that impression will give the group an idea of what the rest of the day will be like. If you be respectful, courteous, are prepared, let your riding do the talking, and leave the booze at home 99% of people will let you ride with them I think.
"Speak softly and carry a big stick."
If you're gonna join somebody else's group, or somebody is joining your group, the person joining should have enough common sense to realize that they are going to make an impression on the people they want to ride with immediately and usually that impression will give the group an idea of what the rest of the day will be like. If you be respectful, courteous, are prepared, let your riding do the talking, and leave the booze at home 99% of people will let you ride with them I think.
"Speak softly and carry a big stick."
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