Cycle News

H ow much do you really know about someone from just meeting them? Even after knowing someone for years, you still might not know his or her real nature. But something I've learned is that the truth is on the trail. As for me, I don't really feel like I truly know someone until I know them on a trail ride. A person's riding personality can define a lot about who they are – things you might not otherwise find out about someone. When you are challenged by the terrain, the ele- ments, your machine, and yourself, that's when manners go out the win- dow and true character emerges. In one day you can see first hand someone's level of patience, endur- ance, tenacity, mental strength, self- confidence and self-control. And if they are sinners, which is something you don't want to be. Just like the seven deadly sins of the bible, I've identified seven deadly sins of trail riding. Read on for tips on how to identify and deal with these sinners and, more importantly, how to not become one, yourself! 1. RIDING OVER YOUR HEAD This is the most dangerous, and probably most common, of the seven deadly sins. Your first time out riding with a new group of people, it's natu- ral to want to make a good impres- sion with a new crowd and there's that unspoken pecking order that al- ways needs to be established within the group. After you find your place in the herd, you can relax but we can probably all admit that in those first few miles we're sizing each other up. That being said, it's pushing your- self beyond your limit that drives the competitive spirit over the line and straight into stupidity – and quite of- ten injury. As any experienced off-roader knows, sheer speed does not mean you're a good rider. Control and con- sistency are much better attributes to have on the trail. While you don't want to be "the slow one," ponder this: How much more are you going to burden the group if you crash and hurt yourself? Then everyone has to figure out how to get your bike - and your dumb ass - out of whatever can- yon you just wadded yourself up in. Having been the "slow one" many times and, on rare occasions, the "fast one," I can say with all confi- dence: They'd rather just give you a minute to catch up. Rather than trying to show off with your speed and fearlessness, do it with your self-control. People are much more impressed with a solid, consistent rider than a fast and clumsy one. Don't be an ass; let off the gas. 2. BEING UNPREPARED "I don't need to bring water. It's just extra weight," says the notorious un- prepared rider. And no matter what you say, you won't convince him/ her otherwise. This is the same per- son who doesn't bring tools, failed to notice that his/her radiator was leak- ing before you left, or insists that the stock tank on his 125 is big enough to get through the 70-mile ride. It's likely you will need to bail him/her out at least once before the end of the day. If you are unprepared on a ride and eventually find yourself alone with no one to bail you out – this is not a coincidence. Do yourself a fa- vor and spend this alone time think- ing about what you can do in the fu- ture to avoid finding yourself in such a predicament. Because if you don't learn your lesson the first time, the group might decide that you'll need even more time to "think about it" on the next instance. Don't be this guy; be prepared! Act as though you're riding by your- self. Don't take advantage of the fact that there are other people who can fix your flat, or give you gas. Make sure your equipment is in good run- ning order; be prepared with water, snacks, tools, zip-ties, duct tape, cash and anything else you could possibly need. Because anything can happen out on the trails - includ- ing being abandoned by people who are sick of your unprepared ass. 3. THE WHINER Perhaps you're resting at an incred- ible summit and you hear: "Those look like thunderclouds. Is there go- ing to be enough light for us to get back? I think we should head back. We're wasting too much time. Does my chain look too loose? You know, if it starts getting dark, it's going to get really cold. Yep, those definitely look like thunderclouds." The whiner sits right on the fine line between being a sinner and simply being annoying. He or she has a genuine sense of anxiety and is becoming increasingly uneasy. Although they are not intentionally trying to be difficult, he/she can still quite easily ruin a peaceful after- noon. Unless you have a Xanax you can slip inside a cheese treat for this person, try your best not to get up- set with him. This will only catapult his anxiety to an even higher level. A BY JEAN TURNER CN III CROSS-RUTTED THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS OF TRAIL RIDING P128

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