Image: Clinton Smout
Nothing beats heading out for a riding adventure with a group of friends, enjoying the ride and having someone watch your back while you watch theirs. But, there are some things that you should keep in mind when it comes to riding with a group including safety, preparation and buddy etiquette. Clinton Smout, who’s in Baja, Mexico riding sweep on a commercial group ride, talks about group riding but not before he tells us about the most difficult day on the ride so far, on what he calls The Trail from Hell.
All Images: Clinton Smout
Adventure riding with a group
THINGS TO CONSIDER BY CLINTON SMOUT
Respect time for kickstands up. Have your bike packed, gear on ready to ride for the agreed time.
Fuel up the night before if possible (if it is a stay all together group).
Respect the locals. Refrain from roosting in gravel parking lots, over revving, performing dumb riding manoeuvres in traffic that will reflect on the whole group.
If you have to stop on a trail or back road; pull off to the safe side so not to block the route.
Never pass someone else within their own lane on the throttle side (if traffic in that country rides on the right side).
Have your own basic items: air pressure gauge, tools, water, energy snacks
Have your own way out if needed ( maps, GPS)
If your traveling in poorer countries please tip the staff, spend some money locally.
Buddy system: watch out for the rider behind you. Lift the left mirror up so you see behind you when standing.
Check your bike over three times: before the days ride, at mid day and at the end of the day. Look for rim or tire damage, loose parts, fluid levels or leaks.
Adapt a more patient attitude when traveling away from what you think is efficiently managed borders. It took us two hours to cross into Mexico from Arizona. Instead of one person having three stamps; we walked to other buildings to get a stamp and then returned to the first building.
Make sure you have adequate insurance for where you are traveling.
Note from Clinton: It cost me $132 Canadian for full coverage in Mexico which includes, medical, transportation for my bike and or me if I need to be airlifted home.
Video: Clinton Smout - Group Ride in Mexico