Don't do this if you want to lose your riding friends | Tips for Trail Etiquette

[@yrornoswal]

Love this. I have been riding off-road trails for over 45 years now and as a kid my Dad drilled respect for the land inhabitants(man & beast) and their land in to me. The rest of my life I have been trying to impart his attitude to others. It is so great to see a young man taking his time to do a video like this. Well done sir. Keep up the good work.

[@toddwmac]

Could not agree more Rory. BTW...thanks for the seal tip.

[@Idaho_Rambler]

Nice job! One thing to add is that it is not the land managers responsibility to sign every trail as to what is open to dirt bikes or not. The responsibility is on the user to know where they are at. The Motor Vehicle Use Map is the legal document showing what’s open and when. GAIA and ONX have layers for the MVUM and the paper maps are free at any Ranger Station. It’s just like hunting, you need to know where you are. I’ll be putting together some videos on trail management, maintenance and building throughout the winter, give it a follow!

[@ridewiththeknights]

Great feedback! Thank you

[@oldgeezerproductions]

Some good advice here and things that needed to be said. Did you mean to write: "Don't do this UNLESS you want to lose your riding friends" or perhaps "Avoid these if you want to KEEP your riding friends?" The way it's worded it is a double negative that is confusing and is saying that you will lose your riding friends if you don't do this.

[@timking2822]

Right-of-way etiquette is excellent for all those who have no idea this exists.

[@theofficialk.a.m...p4760]

Oh and one thing ive noticed when passing horseback riders on my two brothers warrior is that you loud pipes could possibly startle the horses. So try turning it off and allowing them to walk off a little before continuing.

[@theofficialk.a.m...p4760]

Respect all things around you. You never know how nature will respond to you.

[@TwistedTriggerEnduro]

Great video!!! We need more videos with tips like these. As social media shrinks our world, more and more people getting into the sport will need etiquette tips. 🔥💪

[@campland2880]

Good job, Knights! We need MUCH more of this type of education if we want to keep our trails healthy, and open!

[@saipuakivikaupias]

Every rider needs to see this video. Thank you for the great content!

[@jasonblankenagel5412]

Great content! With all the new riders on the trails, this is needed now more than ever! Thank you!

[@robertjarmai2627]

Guys, the title does not really makes sense. Don't do stuff to lose my riding friends? Am I misunderstanding something? 🙃

[@ZSmith-yy4lv]

Clickbait

[@ChristopherPrisco]

Kinda like a fucked up double negative 🤔

[@Tankerman]

Something that I feel more guys of your caliber in the community need to address because younger riders want to be the next pro. I would add everyone ride their ride. Nothing wrong with encouragement but dont push a rider who isnt ready to go to the next level. Nothing ruins a ride like injury. Stay safe

[@jumpninthedarkalley]

All you fools end up falling bad eventually

[@basedlord88]

Helpful, raced motocross almost exclusively till I was 22, have been off for 5 years now getting my bike from storage across the country finally and gunna be doing alot of trail riding cuz I’m in the Colorado High Rockies 🤘

[@greengoat5654]

Etiquette, if you're just meandering down the trail and you hear a dirt bike moving at significant speed behind you get out of the way

[@greengoat5654]

Really the only rule you need to know

[@JeremySawdon]

Facts of life

[@ghpjerry]

Just a small addition to this which wasn't touched on...I find it very beneficial that you assist another rider either back on their Mt. Bike or all the way to the hospital if necessary, after you've beat the tar out of them for not allowing you to pass them. I have noticed much more appreciation from them when you help them back to their vehicle and load the now twisted aluminum that once was a $3k DB Conveyance.

[@JeremySawdon]

Top trail hand service award goes to

[@Fred-mv8fx]

The thing about yielding is important, but I've always had horse riders yield to me and wave me through when I'm on my dirt bike and start slowing down. That's fine, but as a dirt rider try to remember to keep the revs and throttle low and consistent so you don't spook the horse and cause it to buck the rider off.

[@krystalmorrow2606]

When you see a rider in front getting close to a puddle you speed up and pass him in the puddle ❤

[@ChristopherPrisco]

Don't forget to hammer it through the rocks when you got a nice new rear tire to see if the guy behind you is wearing a chest protector or if his reaction time is god-like🤣

[@toddwmac]

Thanks Josh....great to see this video. After playing in this world more years than I care to admit, it is more important now than ever for people to understand and practice these tips. As the motorcycle world sees a massive expansion thanks in part to the big C, we are also seeing an unprecedented depletion of accessible terrain. While there is no silver bullet, the more people who understand and respect the world they ride in, the better off we all are. Keep up the great content and stay dusty my friend.

[@themicdfiles1865]

Good video. I ride trails daily and am 100% in agreement with everything you said. You got a new subscriber here.

[@enduroranch]

Great vid! Some seasonal closures are also for mating season, particularly big game. Keep up the good fight!

[@Meekerextreme]

I have mixed feelings on this one. No animal has never not matted due to people. They will mate.

[@GmwWgn]

Hand signal system is extremely outdated and in the snowmobile world quickly becoming bad practice. You should ALWAYS ride as if someone is coming around the corner. Taking a hand off of the bars while passing another rider is a recipe for a bad time

[@ghpjerry]

The 1 universal hand signal that will never be outdated & I love to use, is that middle finger, which seems to only be used when Mt. bikers are around. I'm a bike rider, but I don't turn into an entitled DB like too many others, when they put that sweet spandex on.

[@ericfix0521]

I think the title is wrong, it should say unless you want to lose your friends

[@antonio576]

Excellent video. Do you have more videos for beginners .

[@ivandeswardt1869]

Brilliant Video!

[@Meekerextreme]

I think one point was missed that is often overlooked and I have talked about in videos. Know your area. By this I mean if you know that riding area is busy on a Saturday then dial the speed down to avoid head on collisions. Also know if someone gives you the fist don't assume they are the last because as you knew coming to that riding area it's busy on a Saturday so don't think you can Ricky racer it to warp speed because THAT group said they were the last, no they were the last in THAT group. Hand symbols are nice, just realize it means a LOT less on busy trails at which point it goes back to maybe not riding as fast as you would on those trails on a Tuesday with no one in the parking lot. If people catch up to you don't look back and try and speed up...pull over and let them around as they caught up to YOU you didn't catch up to them. Don't be afraid of loosing your group, you all should have talk about all this ahead of time and wait at any intersections whether as a group or with one rider saying there to wait (many ways to do this). I myself will let your group know you pulled over and let us around so you will be coming shortly. If I am leading a small group I don't mind just waiting till I see everyone's eyes...means less likely someone messes up and doesn't wait. Plus if you have a large gap in skill level that last guy might need a break, I don't mind taking breaks so that less skilled person can get their breath. This is within reason, don't be the rider that starts to de-gear at EVERY break. If it's a long day ride, this gets frustrating for the whole group after awhile. If it's a long take a lunch break then okay, take stuff off and relax but not for a catch your breath and drink some water break. This brings me to know your group. We all need breaks at different times. If it's people you have been out with a bunch then you tend to know what obstacles people might have issues either. If it's a mix group maybe a new guy to the group comes out and you don't know their skill level till into the ride. Watch new riders to your group and see what they are having issues if any with. If a trail seems over a riders head, best to get them to turn around early especially if their was a easy bailout or to go back wasn't that far. Someone that you thought had experience (maybe they made them sound more qualified then they are) is a risk to the whole group. For starters it will become a mental drain getting them through stuff after awhile. The mental drain will be not just on them as the rider struggling but for the whole group. They also will get more and more tired which makes it so the group gets more tired as you walk a lot of the trail to go back and help them up to only help them up again around the corner that you can see. It could very well lead into a medical situation. This goes into as a rider, let others know if you have had some serious medical conditions don't wait 4 hours in being helped to disclose how you could have a seizure due to being worn out that will put the whole group and yourself at risk. Don't do this! This means be truthful with yourself and what your ability is especially when the ride is clearly has been told as an extreme singletrack. Also don't open invite people to this type of ride, these rides should be those that you know like that sort of riding. For example I wouldn't invite one riding buddy because I know it's way way over their head. It would be a struggle bus for them and turn into it for the group. Keep that extreme stuff to those you know that like it, makes for a better time for the group. As for the who goes first trail etiquette, I have always had hikers step off the trail, honestly it's easier for them then me in a lot of Colorado singletrack areas. Same for Mtn bikers, horseback in all my years and miles of singletrack I have come across horses 3 times. Turn off the bike, and lean the bike if there is nowhere to pull the bike off and let then pass. Don't make any weird movements. Also remove your helmet if it looks like the horse is spooked. If you are not sure what to do remember you have a thing called a mouth so ask the rider what they need you to do so their horse is okay. I'm talking singletrack where it's tight and there might not be much room and you all have to figure it out, if you are the lead rider turn around and get your group to cut the engines as they might not see around the corner your at with the horse. You got to look at public singletrack as a give and take situation, in reality no one group has the right of way and from all my years only horseback riders have wanted me to stop. I can only think of one of those groups being on a jeep road and they heard us so they went into the empty field so we were not near them, again all my riding it's not often you see horses on the trails I ride. All of the above is from actual experience I have had in leading groups on rides. I ride too much, it's what I am lucky enough to do.

[@tylermoore3024]

Another killer video.

[@Brandmart234]

wow this video has some really good info thanks!

[@Rick40years]

Great points. Also riding in control on two way single track would seem like common sense. I've seen collisions because some goof thinks he is in a race.

[@FustFPV]

Seasonal closures in australia are the opposite. We get closed down in summer due the fire risk and wait for the winter to ride when its not hot enough you will die of heat exhaustion in a hour hahaha

[@V4Amore]

Great video. We need more awareness around these things in our sport.

[@alemakhoul4899]

This channel is soo nice

[@bwz7275]

excellent video more people need to stress the how important proper respect for the land and other users is. Bravo! Improper trail use and poor etiquette leads to closed trails!

[@gerharddonner6042]

What about making sure the guys behind you don’t get lost?

[@yrornoswal]

You should always have a "sweeper" ridding at the back. A sweeper is a good rider who knows the planned route and trail. Also good for the Sweeper to have a good 1st aid kit and know how to use it. The 2 groups that I ride with do this and it is gr8 for everyone. The sweeper will always ride at the pace of the last rider with out putting pressure on him/her.

[@TonyRidesDirtbikes]

Corner man system

[@tedecker3792]

Everyone is responsible for the rider behind them. When you come to an intersection, wait until the following rider can see which way to go. Also the leader should regroup frequently. An occasional 30second stop is much preferred over a 10 minute wait, not knowing where everyone is.

[@MrRopcean]

I couldn’t agree more.

[@sammyd7857]

It doesn't matter where you go, it matters how much you do it.

[@ONTWOWHEELSBEN]

loved every minute of it.

[@derekbender]

Excellent resource, thank you!

[@andrewtorgerson6143]

I only trail ride, and luckily enough I ride on weekdays only so we run into absolutely no one.

[@davidbeauvais1364]

Same I don’t typically have to deal with these dumb rules plus I have my own to really practice riding hard on

[@believe8263]

When there's 11 riders behind me I start using my toes.

[@sebinapotter2675]

I have a 110 and I got really wild on it and and I really really big jumps

[@JohnMFlores]

Great video production and presentation

[@johnstratford5244]

You'r forgetting about the razors they have no clue. A lot of single track here has been destroyed last 10 yrs.

[@HardEnduroLlewellyn]

Yeah most are Aholes, zero trail etiquette and blow out single track for their drunk escapades. A lot of them never rode, just drive cars and buy a SXS.

[@bananabrooks3836]

Well spoken, Protect your Preveledge! or........lose it.

[@FustFPV]

As a hiker, I find it is safer and easier for me as a hiker to step to the side of the trail to let horses, mountain bikers and moto riders past me. Then when im on my motorbike, I find its safer for me to be the one to move off the side of the track for them to pass. I think its more to do with the people with a ego and only involved in 1 of the hobbies thinking they are better than the other hobbies and should have the right of way. That or everyone I pass is a NPC and their NPC coding gets stuck on a logical error hahah

[@peacockhorsepower3181]

Remember a lot of people are looking for reason to shut trails down…don’t give them any and YES chew your stupid friends out that are disrespectful and damaging.

[@owenwoods5253]

But nice video for those types of trails and not just some random land

[@DuhYaThink]

And when riding water authority property never stop for DEP. And make sure you have a ninja parking spot.

[@antonio576]

I'm subscribed

[@richardhartley7094]

Excellent information 👍🇬🇧

[@chrispewkreme]

This is by far the easiest to overlook: WATER. I ride a bike every day to work. My first time in trails I figured, "it's just riding a bike, pffft, I do that every day." I was dehydrated and felt dizzy after 3 hours on the trail. Another tool you don't realize you wish you had until you don't have it, RADIOS. My friend was RIIIIIGHT behind me and fell. I eventually turned around and found him. We had to go to the hospital. Also great for weather checks and some have flashlights built-in. Your phone won't work most of the time. It's so easy to crash and get left behind. Also, TOOLS. I pretty much won't go anywhere on my YZ250 without a spark plug, wrench, and screwdriver. Tubes and a pump may be something to think about (I generally prefer Tubliss/Mousse for this reason, you can run em flat). Zip ties, tape, hand saw, and a winch are some optional yet nice accessories. It's fairly common to come across trees that block the trail. You may need to winch over some stuff or you may need to cut it into pieces to move. All the other things you covered were common sense. But then you see guys riding way too fast in areas there's two-way traffic or people throwing trash or just being inconsiderate.

[@Lordofthegods-te5ek]

What brand/model dirt bike is that? I like how it has a big tank on it👍 I’ll like to buy one

[@brighamlyman5118]

Awesome video

[@bikersoncall]

''Don't do this if you want to lose your riding friends'' I'm going back for my 3rd grade cert, so I might be able to make sense of this title.

[@chybagus]

"Without worrying on the blind corners" - NO! Just because you are the last rider in your group does NOT mean there are no riders behind you/them! Too often I see people treating two way single track like their own private racecourse and then looking WIDE EYED AMAZED when they encounter someone else. I've seen little kids get hurt badly by riders moving too fast on trails. Unless you can see all the way ahead of you SLOW DOWN!

[@PBmxer]

Never heard of the concept of who has the right of way on the trail. I always thought it was the user who could cause the most bodily damage on contact has the right of way. if a hiker is going 2 mph and im going 30 mph and I give them the right of way wouldn't I catch up to them again? Its just instinct to get off the trail when you hear a dirt bike barreling down upon you. If I was hiking I would give way to a horse or a dirt bike.

[@Meekerextreme]

If you are going the same way obviously you have the right of way, as you will be gone in a few seconds. It's for oncoming really, and I explained in my post above but the short answer is I have never had an oncoming hiker who stood their ground in the trail they are always off and waiting for me to go by. Only thing I stop for is horses, Mtn bikers are the same as hunters they are always off the trail waiting for me. Look at it this way, as a hiker or Mtn biker would you want to hold your ground int he same direction and hear an engine or step off and let the dirtbike by so you can continue on, in a lot of remote areas I find we all stop because it's a good time to say HI and they probably haven't seen anyone all day and I hadn't and we exchange some nice words about our day and continue on. Maybe even offer them a snack if they look like a tourist that just went for a hike in flipflops...LOL

[@jamesk7446]

Always slow down when passing people and animals. Noise, dust, debris - Roosting strangers is not cool. I typically wait until I'm far enough away like 25 yards or so then hammer down again. When coming up to people or animals trying to cross trails, by slowing down it gives you time to figure out their intentions. If they cross, if you are going slow you can easily stop.

[@PennsylvaniaDualSport]

This was done well!

[@fluxy333-g5h]

Hey good video I got a bike 2 days ago please tell me anything that was not in the video

[@DuhYaThink]

Respect the trail…..🤔 ✊🏻

[@evaneffertz16]

"Follow these rules if you don't want to lose your riding friends" would be a better title.

[@willmcgregor7184]

Good info!

[@jetdr]

Don’t move to Maryland! We have zero trails. We have to trailer to a neighboring state to even start up the engine!!

[@carlosbarragan6729]

😭😭😭😭 so true. im 2hrs from any proper track

[@johndoh3353]

I’m in maine and half our trails have been shut down over the last 15 years because of the sxs

[@Helmet_Tester]

Now if we could just get the quad riders to realize I'm not giving the peace sign. lol

[@FirstGendodgegarage]

I started riding a dirt bike cause there were no rules

[@austinw638]

Where are these mountain trails in your video? Looks amazing

[@adew4u2enjoy]

100% Right on all counts. I get flabbergasted when I see a video uploaded by Idiots that break every law and every etiquette known to all motorcyclist. Pissing off their neighbors, illegal street riding, antagonizing innocent people just begging to have the cops called. then they have the balls to complain when they piss people off. They give all of us a bad name, and constantly getting areas closed off to all motorcyclist.

[@markjeepingful]

I’ve noticed dirt bike riders rides for an hour or two and then leave? Why?

[@Carter124]

What kind of bike do u ride with 2-stoke or 4-stroke?

[@danieldesmond3422]

Shouldn’t the title be “Don’t do this if you want to KEEP your riding friends” otherwise it would mean the opposite of what you’re meaning

[@DJDoubtIt81]

Sounds like a AMA rule book.

[@brandonfrank1107]

you have my racing number and the company i work for gear fly racing lol thats weird

[@ridewiththeknights]

It’s a pretty good number ;)

[@Erik-rp1hi]

I hate when you come up on a slower rider and he thinks he is in a race and blocks you from passing. Idiots.

[@chybagus]

I would add: BRING A SATELLITE RESCUE BEACON. And also, when you pass someone, DON'T ROOST THEM. It's really rude to gas it right as you go by. How about waiting just a little while before resuming your normal pace? Thank you.

[@Bgodle]

Jokes on you I don't have friends

[@thehorizontries4759]

Ok so I’ll do these things if I want to friends?

[@chuckguerin8141]

Anybody who can ride these trails. Is already trail freindly! Sure there's always the perma shmuck, and occasional rich kid with a tad amount of skill. And usually doesn't damage trail too much. I almost gagged before this one was over but you will get better.

[@EarthSurferUSA]

I am gonna pick on the trail preservation segment. If your feelings get hurt easily, (for anybody), get over it. First: I have raced and rode CCC Michigan trails, (which members of the club cut and maintain), since the 80's, and took that skill to Mountain Bike riding in the mid 90's. It was the road riding guys new into Mt Bike riding who had a problem with rough trails and a head full of environmental concerns, (should see the china factory their bikes are made in,--so walk). So I expect the premise of some of these arguments have come from panty waists like those guys. Second, "rerouting" is fine, and it is safer for people who are not confident to clear that log. Let the person ride, and not take chances if he or she does not want to. The last thing anybody wants to do is get somebody hurt in the middle of the wilderness, right? Third: The erosion argument looks to be a waste of mind in all the areas we rode in. Not as many riders today,---and they are all grown in just fine. Again, this philosophy comes from greenie weenie Mt. Bike riders, "Please don't ride in the mud. It makes ruts.". The planet is fine,, except china. For all you china buying greenies out there---environmental issues were never part of the trade deals. Yep, it is like the 1986 production rule---only for the USA. I ride to be free. Free from what? Free from people like you. Sorry. I will pass on the other part. Of course you respect other riders, (and anybody else),--but I am riding, and not looking at your hand signals. Our trails demand attention. I want to ride. "respect the trail" (dirt will thank you). How goofy is that saying? Your generation is doomed son, and one step away from your teachers telling you that dirt bike ricing is "non-essential". Don't kiss their butts. Tell them to go pack sand, where it will be safe. :)

[@UncleSarkis]

I saw the Knolls and OCA in there?

[@FirstGendodgegarage]

I didn’t know there were so many gay rules

[@jasonnoble7302]

😂

[@dylan-howell]

"Why are they shutting down more of our trails.." -trash human that didn't understand how to follow simple etiquette

[@FirstGendodgegarage]

Soon wel have to carry our dirtbike passport just so it can be called “etiquette”

[@rohitasamsohang2834]

🔥🔥

[@garrettwalpole9871]

Who invited that guy named Rich!? Pack him back in the fedex box and ship him home ha ha

[@ridewiththeknights]

Whether his bike is working or broken down, he always provides great entertainment! Hah

[@MitchOfCanada]

i blame instagram riders for destroying majority of trails, riding trails over their ability, rutting and more.

[@footpathman9679]

That is all good advice for UK too but the terminology is entirely different - as the quote says, we're divided by a common language.

[@levilangford9549]

Hi

[@levilangford9549]

I was the first one to comment on the video I was really happy and thanks for the tips

[@markharris7207]

Cooool

[@DuhYaThink]

My man was sawing a tree by hand 🤦‍♂️

[@yzrippin]

Dont be my cousins punk 30yr old friends who got left in the dust by my 58yr old father and. Then they got upset and told my dad and I were to fast and wreckless. We ride yz 125s. They all had 450s.

[@Brian-bn8ey]

You're doing it wrong. I'm not gonna listen to 1:30 of you telling me about what you're going to telling me.

[@lonski3612]

Is your brother David night

[@ridewiththeknights]

He’s my cousin. Probably

[@lonski3612]

OK that would be cool

[@icyjake7707]

oo i am 2000 likes person

[@LuisGarcia-ym4bd]

Orrrr… just say fuck it and send it!!!….

[@zanewynn4805]

What’s BLM land?

[@chuckfry1227]

Bureau of land management

[@FredNeck-z4u]

The autonomous zone in Seattle. But it’s not there’s anymore.

[@dirtmadness441]

just tear it up man f the trails

[@owenwoods5253]

It’s not your land to worry about. Maybe if your so goo it wouldn’t matter if there is a rut or not

[@ronmower3694]

Bs ride we’re u want

[@mattmatt2822]

Off the trail? Look behind me. See my tracks. That's the trail..

[@xafbxmoto269]

I will never stop blowing up berms or watch my erosion. This sport is getting ridiculous.

[@jamesk7446]

That's what berms are for!

[@toiletpaper5770]

Don't be a Hoyt

[@lifeon2wheels285]

Boaring!