How big is too big??

[Ollie]

How large of a group is too large??

I ride with a small group, usually 3 of us.
We all know how the other rides, we keep track of each other. I always know where the other 2 are or I immidiately start looking for em. That is just the way we ride.
I won't ride in a group larger than 5.
In my opinion groups larger than 5, you spend as much time keeping track of everyone as you do riding.

Do you have a limit as to how many is too many, or is the more the marrier the way you do it??

 

[favoritos]

Three is about perfect for the trail. Larger groups will really slow things down.

 

[SylvanLaker]

4 is our limit... but when meeting up with people what can you do.. The guys we meet up with are pretty organized so no worries..

 

[phatty]

my preferred is 2. Its got to be someone you trust your life with though... you cover some serious terrain and have a blast, always keep each other in site and just have a wicked dirty time!

i cant remember the last time i rode with a group of less than 5 though...

 

[HYFLYR]

i think 3-5 is a good number. More is fine but like mentioned above it becomes a slow ride. Depends onthe ride though, alot of people can be fun in certain areas here.

 

[Coldfinger]

Five is the perfect size as long as everyone understands the unwritten rules of engagement.

If one person gets hurt, two can stay and two can go for help. Just enough people to help pull sleds out of the creek or treewell and to provide additional entertainment/antics.

 

[tudizzle]

Funny I was just thinking about this same topic as well. We usually ride 4+ and at times the group can get up to almost a dozen. Sometimes areas get tracked out fast and someimes we break off into sub groups.

I was thinking that it gets too large at times. But if something major happened it sure is nice to have a whole possee to rally behind you.

IE- any kind of medical crisis in a 2 person party would may mean leaving the injuried person behind to go and get help. In a larger group you can split up and accomplish more to levity the situation.

Just thinking-----large or small they both have there benefits.

 

[deaner]

my preferred is 2. Its got to be someone you trust your life with though... you cover some serious terrain and have a blast, always keep each other in site and just have a wicked dirty time!

i cant remember the last time i rode with a group of less than 5 though...

Im the same way. Id way rather ride with 1 or 2 really good riders. Less backup if you ever get into trouble though.

 

[snowmanx]

We usually ride with 4-5, but don't like to ride with only 2, as many as 7-8 is fine with me. We always keep an eye on each other and ALWAYS do a head count before going on to the next area.

 

[knee deep in it]

If youa re in a popular sledding area, then 2 is great. If there aren't a lot of people around, 5+ can be fun. If it is complete back-country, then 3-4 is best because there is less chance to lose someone.

 

[Kevco]

If your boondocking (never see a trail) your group has to be small. How many sleds can you fit through a small hole? Have you ever followed a 163 up a steep creek bank? There aint a "HOLE" lotta gription there. Now there are the big rides that are unavoidable..Ya make due. My fav is 3.

 

[Sunridge Sledhead]

2-3 is the perfect size for me. I prefer 5 or fewer, but occasionally people show up at the parking lot with a gaggle, which I hate.

 

[alrevedup]

Lately we have been riding in large groups. I am not sure how I like it. All have been skilled and smart riders, no lone rangers. But there seems to be less time to enjoy the ride. I am constantly watching to see where people are and with 8 guys the takes alot of energy and time.

Boondocking is a different story. I won't go with a large group. There is too much backtracking and split second dissions to have group in tow. 2 or 3 is great. Sometimes 2 people is just not enough for those really bad stucks.

 

[Ollie]

The reason I asked is I am contacted by people quite often to go to the snowies.
I try not to be rude or anything, but I have had some people get pissed that I won't lead their group of 15 people. The type of riding I (and the other 2 in my group) do precludes large groups of people.
As has been stated, it is hard to get 15 people thru the a single hole.
I was just wondering what everyone else thought.

 

[Supplicate]

How large of a group is too large??

I ride with a small group, usually 3 of us.
We all know how the other rides, we keep track of each other. I always know where the other 2 are or I immidiately start looking for em. That is just the way we ride.
I won't ride in a group larger than 5.
In my opinion groups larger than 5, you spend as much time keeping track of everyone as you do riding.

Do you have a limit as to how many is too many, or is the more the marrier the way you do it??

We generally ride just the two of us. I keep hoping to meet up to you Ollie but it seems none of it works out, either too many people riding with me or sleds not cooperating.

Have yet to come across a stick the two of us couldn't get out of, including me going down into the trees 30ft below the trees. It just made it easier when a few people stopped to help.

That Apex sure works awesome as a tow truck for my RMK, just hope to christ I never have to tow him out

Anyway, to answer the question, we like to keep our group with just us 2 or 1 extra person. Especially when its people we aren't sure about their riding style or ability. Last time we ran into 2 other guys and rode with them wound up getting stuck more then any other ride I've been on this year. Especially when the n00b kept getting his sled burried and then just left me after I helped him get unstuck only to wind up sticking my sled.

 

[NoSecondChances]

Quality not quantity is what I say. I prefer 3-4 experienced riders like myself for all types of riding. I have ridden in groups of more than 10, was OK but areas get too ripped up too quick. All it takes in a group of 2 or 20 is a newbie that doesn't wait their turn, rips up a steep slope that everyone else is climbing and starts knocking a bunch of stuff loose or makes other riders turn out or move off their line becuz they are out of control on the descent or the ascent. That being said, I do enjoy taking newbie's sledding in the mountains, but I prefer taking them in the spring and in a group of less than 4. This way not a lot of people waiting if they get stuck, you have time to help them with their technique, and getting stuck is not really an issue compared to the early season powder so you spend all day riding. Day's are longer too so any time you are helping them, you can make back up riding with the extra daylight. Just my $.02.

 

[Scott]

My dad and I just had this conversation on Sunday. Anymore than 4 or 5, and it's a PITA.

My dad and I have been sledding together for 31 years. We know how each other rides, we know what the other is thinking...and we know when it's time to fire up and roll on, move to a new hill/meadow/clearcut without even talking to each other.

It's weird to ride with new peeps, because you don't have that same thing going with them.

I haven't ridden with the same group twice yet this year...and I find myself enjoying it much more when my Dad is there, and for lots of reasons...BUT we just have that ESP about riding with each other. We know what each other is thinking, and we know what's going on.

It's weird.

 

[icr]

3 is best, easy to keep track of everyone, easy to agree on where to go next, easy to get the group moving.

That being said I'm usually riding in a group of 4 and meet up with another group of 3-4. It works out because we're two groups riding together, I know I'm only responsible for my group (unstucks, keeping track of them, etc) and the other group acts the same. Areas get tracked up faster and there's more sitting around but it's fun to sit and BS sometimes.

 

[tmk50]

Looking back at my best rides and the most fun I have had, it seems like every single time there was three of us on the trip. So I guess my vote is 3.

I think it depends on the conditions too though, I was a guide for two years in college so I tend to still have the 'guide instincts' when we go out for a ride, and usually end up leading in the Snowies, and bringing up the end in areas where I am not familiar.

I don't mind riding with large groups, I just have to remind myself to reset my expectations on how many miles we'll go, and what we can & can't do. Any day out riding is better than being at home! We rode out of SLO a few weeks ago, and had a group of 12 - didn't move real fast, but still had a blast, so I guess there is a time & place for everything.

 

[Kevco]

This should probably be a addendum to this thread, I may be a basteach but how about the buddies you would take a bullet for...but (some rides) you dont call them because if you do it ruins the ride for all? I know Im not the end all Mnt. guy but I enjoy the trees, and absolutely detest the trails. One look at my goat and you can tell, it has more bark on it than a Douglas fir. I have been on both ends of this scenario...Its not fun