Trail Leaders Instructions

Many thanks for volunteering to lead a White Sands Jeep Club Ride! WSJC’s rides are the most critical part of our club’s success, and our members and prospective members count on them for enjoyment and fitness. The Ride Leader and Co-Leader are WSJC members who are probably the first personal contact for new WSJC members or potential members at a WSJC scheduled ride. Keep in mind that you will have all types of riders on your ride: experienced vs. inexperienced; fast, moderate, and slow; careful vs. reckless. (These categories do not necessarily coincide - for example, fast riders may also be inexperienced or reckless.) Many new riders will have never before ridden in large groups on an organized ride. Your job is to make them feel comfortable and safe, and to provide them with a good riding experience so they will want to come back for more rides and to become a WSJC member. Being a Ride Leader really increases your feeling of “belonging” as a member of WSJC!

Day of the Ride:
1. Arrive at the meeting point twenty to thirty minutes early. If you must cancel, have someone at the meeting point to inform riders that the ride is canceled or appoint a substitute ride leader.
2. Introduce your self, give a brief description of the ride, review the pace and difficulty. Review known hazards on the route make certain that route to the trail is known.
3. Have riders sign in. Ask riders to sign in visitors and members.
4. Co-leader to ride at the end of group. Make sure that the co-leader has an accurate headcount, to keep track of the riders. Have riders inform you if they leave early.

During the Ride:
1. Enforce good riding practice. Be polite but firm. You may ask someone to leave the ride, if necessary.
3. Keep track of all riders. If there is a physical or mechanical problem, solve it before continuing the ride. DO NOT EVER ABANDON A RIDER. Get medical help if necessary.

After the Ride:
1. Account for all riders. Thank them, and ask for comments on the ride.
2. Fill out ride report and turn in at Club Meeting.

Preparation:
Know your route well enough to be able to convey to others what they need to know. Maps or route descriptions are always helpful. Think ahead about the small details such as making sure you have a pen for signing people in. If you are unsure about any details, contact someone ahead of time who can advise you (such as other trail leaders, or club members).

Being in Charge:
People will naturally look to you for direction and guidance when needs or problems arise. Disasters can be avoided if problems are spotted early. Keep the status of the group as a whole in your awareness. Know if people are lagging behind or experiencing mechanical problems. Exercise judgment when decisions need to be made. The safety of the group should be your highest concern. This may require that you ask people to modify their behavior or even that they abandon the ride. Often times, simply checking with a person who is having difficulty can promote their taking appropriate action to resolve the problem. Being in charge doesn't mean being overbearing or dictatorial.

Feel Appreciated:
Ride leading is the backbone of the club. It is your willingness to lead a ride that supports and promotes our primary purpose: Jeeping. Always remember that people appreciate what you do.

RIDE INSTRUCTION CHECKLIST
Welcome: Good morning & welcome to the White Sands Jeep Club Ride!

Ride Location: “Today’s ride will be to (insert location). Everyone please make sure that you have signed in.

New riders: [Ask for new riders. Join them up with the volunteer Mentor(s) you arranged for
before the ride! Or at the very least, ask them to stay behind for a couple of minutes so
you can answer their questions and make sure they know the

Ride start: [Describe which way riders will exit the parking area to begin the ride.]

Restrooms: [Mention whether or not there are any restroom facilities, or at least whether your route will pass by restaurants or gas stations where restrooms could be available.]

The Route: [Mention any comments about the route, such as detours, high traffic areas, dangerous intersections, bad stretches of road, gravel, or any other needed information.]

Safety Tips: [Mention a couple of safety tips which are especially pertinent to your ride, such as obeying stop signs or lights, not riding more than two abreast, being alert for traffic from the rear, calling out road hazards and vehicle traffic, and safely coming to a stop and turning around if a turn is missed.]

Announcements: [Ask if anyone wishes to make any special announcements. Or add your own at this time.]

Questions: [Ask if anyone has any questions about the ride.]

Ride Start: [Repeat the instructions on which way to exit the parking area to begin the ride.]

Then START THE RIDE !!!

Trail Leaders Cheat Sheet

No drug/alcohol use before or during the trail ride.

Firearms and weapons are prohibited on all trail rides unless otherwise noted.

If it doesn’t feel safe, don’t do it! Find an alternate route ask for help.

Stay buckled-up during the trail ride!

Never lose sight of the vehicle behind you. If your trail leader or the person in front of you is going too fast to keep up, use your CB to slow the ride down. Following this rule ensures that nobody gets lost or left behind. Note the line taken by the Jeep in front of you and learn from his/her successes. Be mindful of spacing between vehicles. Do not lose sight of the vehicle behind you. If the vehicle in front of you go outs of sight because you needed to stop blow your horn once or use your CB.

‘Wheeling’ is not about power and speed. It is about traction & momentum and picking the right line to navigate obstacles.

Speed: Drive slow and don’t ride your brakes. Let your gears do their job. If necessary to use your brakes, feather them lightly and please don’t tailgate the Jeep in front of you (a loss of brake or traction on the trail can cause multiple vehicle damage if we’re too bunched up).

Don’t litter: Bring a trash bag or liner for your garbage and to pick up what others left behind. We adhere to Tread Lightly!.

Obstacles: Never hesitate to get out and look at an obstacle and/or ask for a spot over it. No one can see everything that’s happening underneath the vehicle, especially when rocks are moving around under the tires, and it takes years of experience before the right line is second nature.

Courtesy: Stay on the trails! Respect wildlife and the environment. Be respectful of other wheelers, hikers and bikers. Do not blaze your own trails.

Need a “nature’s-calling” break? Or see a good photo op? Ask your trail leader to take-five. It’s not like we’re going to be late for an appointment- have fun! Rule usually is “men to the left” (driver’s side) & “ladies to the right” (passenger side), but it’s negotiable based on which side has the trees and/or bushes. Don’t forget your TP and a shovel or zip lock freezer bags. Please use appropriate facilities when they are present.

Rocks: Don’t try to straddle a rock for which you don’t have clearance. Put your tire(s) on top of the rock(s).

Hills: Always go straight up or straight down. Never go at an angle a.k.a. “side hill” (body damage from rollovers will spoil your day). If you can’t make a climb, back straight down and try again, or take a different route. But don’t continue up a steep hill at an angle or turn sideways!

Blind Spots: Don’t stop right around a blind corner or the Jeep behind you may rear-end your Jeep before he/she ever sees you. Pull up and allow adequate space. If it can’t be avoided use your CB to alert the driver behind you.

Water-crossings: Take it slow and go at an angle upstream. DO NOT allow water to enter your intake! If you suddenly find yourself too deep immediately turn off your engine.

Ruts: When ruts are too wide to straddle, drive in the middle and try to keep your Jeep as level as possible.

Tire Pressure: Airing down all 4 tires (an option) can increase traction, soften a bumpy ride and give some play to reduce the chances of sharp rocks or objects puncturing your tire. You can usually air down to as low as 15 psi. Many ‘Wheelers’ go even lower depending on tires, terrain, speed and personal preferences. If you’re unsure, ask others for advice and recommendations. Having a portable compressor or other air source is needed for airing up.

Traction: If you lose traction turn your steering wheel back and forth rapidly to try and get it back. Or simply back up and take another line. If you slide, steer in the direction you’re sliding. Try to keep all 4 wheels on the ground at all times.

Other Important CB Radio Uses: Be sure to pass on all jokes that are appropriate for the mix of participants and lets not use any language or say anything that may offend anybody.

Stopping/Parking: When leaving your Jeep, remember to make sure that it is in gear and apply the emergency brake. Vehicles have been known to move, endangering others. If we stop on the trail pull over as far as possible to avoid blocking the trail for other riders.

Vehicle extraction: Only the necessary people will be in the area. All others are to remain at a safe distance. Vehicle extraction is dangerous and requires coordination.

Children: Children will be watched at all times. You are responsible for your children. They are no match for a 4000lb vehicle. Drivers be mindful of personnel around your vehicles. Check to make certain it is clear before moving.

Music: Music, should not be played loud enough to disturb other trail riders or anyone in the surrounding. You need to be able to hear what is going on around you.

Illegal Activity: Any person engaging in illegal activity during the trail ride will be reported to the local law enforcement authorities and asked to leave the trail ride immediately.