The Leader of the Pack!

By Coach Robert Waddell

Knobby Adventures LLC

MSF DirtBike School

It has been my experience that a very common error in family riding is the designation of the "leader of the pack".  This error is made by both two wheel and four wheel riders alike and it's importance is significant for any off-road riding.

I know our parental instinct, because I am one, is to keep a very keen eye on our off-spring.  We are constantly concerned with their well-being and want to make sure they get along OK.  It's out of that concern that we unintentionally put more burden on their shoulders and actually increase the risk for their safety.  How do we do this?  By putting them where we think we can keep an eye on them, out in front of us!

How can this be more dangerous you are thinking?  Bear with me a moment as we put this in a different perspective.   Let's say that you are meeting up with some adult friends (like three or more riders) for a ride.  As you get ready for hitting the trail I'll bet one of things you discuss is "who is going to lead".  Now this whole subject of the leader usually raises a bunch of concerns for you and the others I'll bet as well.

One of the first things you think of as you look around for that 'Leader of the Pack' is; who is the best suited for the job?  You're evaluating things like; does the person know where he/she is going, does this rider pace him/herself.  Keeping in mind the least experienced rider in the group, does this rider make good decisions to the choice of trails?  Does the rider pace him/herself through unknown terrain as not to endanger their own safety and/or the safety of the whole group?  Is this rider more concerned with showing off than riding safely?  The list can go on with this being only the tip of the iceberg of concerns for your 'leader'.

Think about it, this is the role you thrust your young rider into when you put him out in front.  Of course, some of the conditions that I mentioned earlier can be more controlled, but in the end this young rider has to manage many of the those concerns.   Is the young rider capable of deciding “do we turn left here or right” or “is this that scary section with the really big hill” and “do I need to slow down” or “I'm going to show mom/dad how I take this jump really fast!!!” 

Can you see how having this young rider 'leading the pack', you have possibly made him think more about other things than his riding!  Yes, he will have to eventually understand the decision making process that goes along with leading, but how-about setting the example for him/her to learn from.  They learn a tremendous amount by seeing it done versus struggling to do it.  Think of all the techniques of just riding they will see by having you out in front to watch, not to mention the approach to riding in general you take.  Parents should often think of the example they are setting, and what a great opportunity to serve as a great example.

Think of how much more affective you will be involving their safety by dictating all the things that I've mentioned by being 'the leader'.  You will have opportunities to stop and explain how to approach difficult terrain before they stumble off into it.  You won't have to be screaming at them to stop before they make that wrong turn.  You can set the pace that you know the whole family can manage and not have big brother leaving little sister in the dust or vice-versa as I've seen the case can be.   You can be the first rider to those dangerous intersections on the trail where you've seen other riders speed through before.  You can be the first rider to oncoming traffic and alert them to the number of riders in your group.  To alert other riders that others are following you, simply hold up the number of fingers related to the number of riders in your group and you can even encourage them to slow down for your little riders by signaling with a palm down motion if they happen to be ripping along towards you at a pretty fast pace.  Would your young rider have the courage or be able to do that?  I know as a dad I have no problem telling someone to slow down when it comes to endangering my young children.  I bet you won't either!

Next your thinking, "I don't have eyes in the back of my head so how do I know if their struggling".   There are a couple of options here.  One option I use is another parent.  Sometimes I'm out riding with another family and I place one adult out in front and the other at the rear of the group.  We trade off positions and then it gives me a chance to evaluate my young rider(s) and how their progressing in their techniques. 

But, what if you are riding only with your kids.  Then I suggest you spend a little more time on the trail and employ the system of more frequent stopping.  Tell your young group that when approaching more difficult terrain that you will stop the group at the beginning of a 'section'.  They will not proceed through the section until you have completed it.  Then you can stop, even dismount your machine, and assist them or critique them through the section.  Now they've had a chance to see the line you chose, how you handled the machine, and the pace that you went through it at.  Now it becomes more of monkey see monkey do with the opportunity to explain why you did it that way. 

I know some of you will still be concerned about not being able to keep that eye on them constantly.  If your young rider is struggling through the simple part of the trails, then they may need more time off the trail in an open area, under your observation, becoming more comfortable on the bike.  Don't push them out onto tight or technical trails until they have learned the basics under your tutoring.  You can usually find hills for them to climb/descend and also find other trail aspects right next to that open area for them to learn on.  Let them build their confidence and when you do go out on the trails the chances for frustrating situations are less likely to happen.

The bottom line is that as parents, we must always consider the pros and cons of many things our young children are going to do.  As you finish reading this article, I think you will realize that the pros will out-weight the cons when riding in front of versus behind of your young riders.  The challenge for you this summer will be not 'who' is leading your pack, but being the true 'Leader of the Pack'!

Copyright © 2003-2009 TBQ Sport Club, Inc. /  d.b.a. Nebraska Off Highway Vehicle Association
Reproduction of any part of this web site is prohibited without permission.  Read our Disclaimer for information
This Site is Designed and Maintained by Off Highway Vehicle Management and Consulting 
This page was updated on Sunday, March 01, 2009