Organizing and Leading Groups

Organizing a group ride takes careful planning and leadership.

Riders must adjust their speed and the distance between machines to accommodate the lowest level of riding experience, physical ability, and machine performance.
Less experienced riders, or those with less reliable machines, should never ride last.
The least experienced riders should ride immediately behind the leader.
Make sure novice riders have adequate training.
Allow time for all riders to discuss the trip and become familiar with the route.
Factor in time for rest stops and unplanned delays.
Plan for breakdowns, dangerous trail conditions, bad weather, and injuries.
Groups larger than 10 or 12 should split into smaller groups, each with a group leader and a trail sweep. Group sweeps report to group leaders. Group leaders, in turn, report to the trail leader.
Never leave anyone behind. Forcing riders to catch up increases accident risk.

Crossing Ice in Groups

Avoid crossing frozen bodies of water whenever you can.
Never cross ice in single file. If the group leader falls through, single-file riders may not be able to respond quickly enough to keep from following the leader through the ice.