For Me, No More Wheeling at Large Events

[ShadowsPapa]

Even the best of us can loose control , but extra kudos for being the man. Everyone here knows you , I think what you did for @ShadowsPapa just prior to going out there speaks Volumes and Volumes to your character.

Who are you calling a character!

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[ShadowsPapa]

Not trying to minimize your story, but I cut my teeth wheeling a Samurai. So yeah I totally believe those assholes left you. Gotta be selective about who you trust on the trail. Glad it worked out for you.

And it stayed upright?

 

[RudeJeepin]

I consider the pace to be whatever the slowest Jeep is. And I don’t think that’s negative. Not at all.

This is my opinion also. I've spent a lot of time on 2, 3, and 4 wheels with buddies and family. I have no problem telling people they need to slow down for others. I've split groups up and sent faster riders off together. Then I'll almost always stick with the slower or less experienced group. I enjoy watching others grow with experience.
Some of my best memories are riding motorcycles with a few different buddy and watching our kids having a blast. Watching them learn something new or making an obstacle they failed last trip.
My inlaws, before he passed away got into 4 wheelers and then moved to a UTV. They used to feel sorry for slowing me down. I'd tell them all the time, I didn't care about the pace, it was the time outdoors and the time together that mattered. Besides, I could screw around on a big hill climb off to the side or some other obstacle for a little extra fun. Then they would come tooling along and off we'd go.

It's like the Three Musketeers say, all for one and one for all.
Or get the fuk out.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

And it stayed upright?

We had a couple Suzukis when I wheeled in Yuma. A Samurai and one of those cars on a samurai frame. They were good until they hit a steep descent.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

We had a couple Suzukis when I wheeled in Yuma. A Samurai and one of those cars on a samurai frame. They were good until they hit a steep descent.

I used to work with a lady who drove one to work and had a bumper sticker - if you can read this, please turn me over.

 

[RudeJeepin]

I used to work with a lady who drove one to work and had a bumper sticker - if you can read this, please turn me over.

I've see those, or Problem/No problem. My favorite was Fun/No Fun, where the Fun was upside down when the rig was right side up.

 

[biodiesel]

I’m done wheeling with large groups.

Sorry to hear about the damage and negative experience. It sounds like some folks in your group were more focused on the destination and less focused on the people in the group. When it comes to large groups, the focus should aways be on the people and less about the destination.

My wife and I have been hiking the highest point in each state. We don't invite others to join us when there's a more difficult hike/climb because the focus is on the destination. In other words, we don't want to be slowed down or have to turn around because someone in the group got injured, developed altitude sickness, etc.

Now, if we go hike/climb as a group, then our focus is on the group and making sure that everyone gets to the summit. That means making sacrifices for the greater good of everyone.

I'm glad that you value people over destination. It's a good characteristic that we all should practice.

 

[Jteakus]

My wife and I have been hiking the highest point in each state.

That's really cool.

 

[Gvsukids]

I consider the pace to be whatever the slowest Jeep is. And I don’t think that’s negative. Not at all.

Nope. I get focused on the trail ahead and an thankful when my wife or somebody else halfway back keeps in contact with those behind to help keep the group together.

When it comes to large groups, the focus should aways be on the people and less about the destination.

My wife reminds me of that often when we don't get the route completed that I had set up. We had a wheeling trip that went a half mile in and then we spent an hour turning 3 Jeeps around in the snow.



A less intensive recovery.

 

[Oilburner]

And it stayed upright?

I did lay my rig on it’s side one time running one of the ‘Chile Challenge’ trails in AZ, but that was long after I had figured out how to pick a group to wheel with & picked some pretty gnarly obstacles.
Early on, there were Many folks on the trail that thought a ‘foreign’ rig couldn’t cut it. Changed some minds when I showed them I could run every trail at Tellico. Mind you, this was before they even sold aftermarket parts for Zukis.

 

[Janster]

Like others here, I agree the rant is totally justified. I'd have been throwing hands. After a career in Ranger battalion and Army SF, I absolutely will not under ANY circumstances leave someone behind. That was inexcusable. Glad you're safe and on the mend.

Exactly….
When we ran group events/trips - we always had a *Trail Guide* and a *Tail Gunner*. The guide & gunner were in constant contact with eachother. We’d have a safety meeting at the beginning of the event - we couldn’t stress enough (aside from other things)….ALWAYS keep the guy behind you IN SIGHT at all times. That means…. STOP if they get out of sight. This should be a ripple effect to keep the group together. There was always at least 4-5 rigs / people who were regular club folks that could ‘take charge’ if needed to escort folks off the trails when things happened.

That was always the norm for us… If an event WASN’T organized similarly to that….we wouldn’t go. You don’t have FUN when the event is a cluster phuck.

 

[WILDHOBO]

This is my opinion also. I've spent a lot of time on 2, 3, and 4 wheels with buddies and family. I have no problem telling people they need to slow down for others. I've split groups up and sent faster riders off together. Then I'll almost always stick with the slower or less experienced group. I enjoy watching others grow with experience.
Some of my best memories are riding motorcycles with a few different buddy and watching our kids having a blast. Watching them learn something new or making an obstacle they failed last trip.
My inlaws, before he passed away got into 4 wheelers and then moved to a UTV. They used to feel sorry for slowing me down. I'd tell them all the time, I didn't care about the pace, it was the time outdoors and the time together that mattered. Besides, I could screw around on a big hill climb off to the side or some other obstacle for a little extra fun. Then they would come tooling along and off we'd go.

It's like the Three Musketeers say, all for one and one for all.
Or get the fuk out.

Absolutely! Well said.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Sorry to hear about the damage and negative experience. It sounds like some folks in your group were more focused on the destination and less focused on the people in the group. When it comes to large groups, the focus should aways be on the people and less about the destination.

My wife and I have been hiking the highest point in each state. We don't invite others to join us when there's a more difficult hike/climb because the focus is on the destination. In other words, we don't want to be slowed down or have to turn around because someone in the group got injured, developed altitude sickness, etc.

Now, if we go hike/climb as a group, then our focus is on the group and making sure that everyone gets to the summit. That means making sacrifices for the greater good of everyone.

I'm glad that you value people over destination. It's a good characteristic that we all should practice.

I like your phrasing. People over destination. Yep. That would have made it a great afternoon, instead of a dumb one. I don’t get why people act the way they do. Maybe too many paint chips as kids?

 

[WILDHOBO]

Exactly….
When we ran group events/trips - we always had a *Trail Guide* and a *Tail Gunner*. The guide & gunner were in constant contact with eachother. We’d have a safety meeting at the beginning of the event - we couldn’t stress enough (aside from other things)….ALWAYS keep the guy behind you IN SIGHT at all times. That means…. STOP if they get out of sight. This should be a ripple effect to keep the group together. There was always at least 4-5 rigs / people who were regular club folks that could ‘take charge’ if needed to escort folks off the trails when things happened.

That was always the norm for us… If an event WASN’T organized similarly to that….we wouldn’t go. You don’t have FUN when the event is a cluster phuck.

The joke is that’s how these trails started. But a few didn’t exactly practice what they preached.

 

[biodiesel]

I like your phrasing. People over destination. Yep. That would have made it a great afternoon, instead of a dumb one. I don’t get why people act the way they do. Maybe too many paint chips as kids?

I think it boils down to selfishness. A few didn't want to slow down, which is why they wanted to drag you up and over obstacles rather than help you stack rocks. They simply didn't care about everyone in the group.

Group leaders don't always lead from the front. Sometimes they lead from the back. When hiking, I oftentimes let my wife lead from the front. That way she sets the pace and enjoys the views. And when we get to an obstacle, guess what? She doesn't always take the same approach that I take, which is perfectly fine. She should take the approach that makes her feel the most comfortable and the safest.

Being part of a large group is about responsibility and putting others before yourself. At the end of the day, you feel good when everyone gets out safe and enjoyed their time.

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