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Off-Road Hand Signals/Trail Etiquette

Discussion in 'Outdoors' started by TRDFerguson, Mar 28, 2021.

  1. Mar 28, 2021 at 7:58 AM
    #1
    TRDFerguson

    TRDFerguson [OP] SSEM #99/RGBA #8-ish?/It’s a funny name.

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    I went out riding side-by-sides with some buddies a couple weeks back and was introduced to hand signals showing the number of riders in your group. I’d never really done much on busy trails up to that point, so the thought had never really occurred to me that knowing how many people are coming is pretty important. But then the next time I was out in my truck doing the same signals, I basically got blank stares from the riders I was signaling. Am I missing something here, or am I now just noticing the ignorance that I myself had up until my SxS trip? Are there other off-road rules/etiquette that I should know about?
    2C639CDE-8399-4501-B185-95D0BB44881C.jpg
     
    willy, sf319, Hbjeff and 9 others like this.
  2. Mar 28, 2021 at 8:02 AM
    #2
    RobertD

    RobertD SSEM#123, ASCM#4 "I call it Vera" ~Jayne Cobb

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    The issue is most people don't know. Even with riding a bike, you give hand signals to indicate how you are turning and no one has a clue. Could also be people don't pay attention, it's not like blinkers mean much. I think you will find that there are probably more hand signals tou could learn that have use, but will other riders understand? I would not expect or guarantee it. All you can do is learn the signals and use them as you see fit. Hopefully you can educate some more riders and it will grow at your local trails.
     
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  3. Mar 28, 2021 at 8:12 AM
    #3
    ShreveportTSS

    ShreveportTSS Huh?

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    I don't know, a lot of people notice when I hold up 1 finger. :monocle:
     
  4. Mar 28, 2021 at 8:32 AM
    #4
    TRDFerguson

    TRDFerguson [OP] SSEM #99/RGBA #8-ish?/It’s a funny name.

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    I usually just assume people are idiots and I am disappointed less.


    :rofl:
    I was by myself when I was in my truck, so maybe everyone thought I was telling them to fight the power?
     
  5. Mar 28, 2021 at 8:35 AM
    #5
    81 TOY

    81 TOY New Member

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    Hand signals are common while trail riding a snow machine here.
     
  6. Mar 28, 2021 at 8:37 AM
    #6
    Wahayes

    Wahayes Older I get the wiser I realize my dad was

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    Lol I don't think there's a universal set of offroading signs. When I'm spotting people I explain the signs I use to them because having been an ironworker I use alot of crane flagging signs bc its what I know and easily transferable to offroading.
     
  7. Mar 28, 2021 at 9:05 AM
    #7
    TRDFerguson

    TRDFerguson [OP] SSEM #99/RGBA #8-ish?/It’s a funny name.

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    This is where most of my buddies from back home (Northern IL) learned signals. I never got into that, other than riding a handful of times through corn fields.
     
    81 TOY[QUOTED] likes this.
  8. Mar 28, 2021 at 9:09 AM
    #8
    Backslider

    Backslider Thirsty...

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    The sxs crowd is full of beginners and jerks. This isn't to say that all sxs owners fit into these categories, but as someone who has since I was a kid and continues to spend a lot of time outdoors, many of my favorite remote spots are becoming more and more cluttered with loud, littering, destruction-causing sxs owners. There is garbage everywhere in my once pristine escape spots. I doubt most of them have any trail etiquette at all.
     
  9. Mar 28, 2021 at 9:11 AM
    #9
    Backslider

    Backslider Thirsty...

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    There is. It's common knowledge and a courtesy to communicate the number of riders behind you on tight trails.
     
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  10. Mar 28, 2021 at 9:11 AM
    #10
    Wahayes

    Wahayes Older I get the wiser I realize my dad was

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    Cool I didn't know that. I guess being from Texas and not having many actual trails I wasnt aware.
     
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  11. Mar 28, 2021 at 9:15 AM
    #11
    Wahayes

    Wahayes Older I get the wiser I realize my dad was

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    I can't stand the sxs crowd either. I like the machines for certain places but it seems the way they are marketed tread lightly is not a thing and they're expected to go full send screaming everywhere they go.:goingcrazy:
     
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  12. Mar 28, 2021 at 9:16 AM
    #12
    Wahayes

    Wahayes Older I get the wiser I realize my dad was

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    Definitely a "hold my beer" kind of crowd lol not that I have anything against beer:drunk:
     
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  13. Mar 28, 2021 at 9:16 AM
    #13
    TRDFerguson

    TRDFerguson [OP] SSEM #99/RGBA #8-ish?/It’s a funny name.

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    This is why I thought this thread could be handy. I didn’t know about the hand signals either and figured others could be in the same situation.
     
    Terndrerrr likes this.
  14. Mar 28, 2021 at 9:37 AM
    #14
    GODZILLA

    GODZILLA Hail to the King, Baby.

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    I didn't know about these until I got my toys either. It's good info to have, and I use them when out and about.

    As for other etiquette:

    • Don't stop on the trail or at intersections. Pull off to the side so you don't block others from coming through.
    • If someone is going faster than you and catches up, pull over when it's safe and let them by.
    • When encountering others it's good to know to whom you should yield right of way; see picture.
      EVERYTHING YIELDS TO HORSES AT ALL TIMES.
    122427863_3695764593789548_4234086154143_fc374c47287009174639b9bb0dec9280d94d4e0f.jpg



    I'm going to put a link to the ATV/SxS thread. Others might have info to share too.
     
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  15. Mar 28, 2021 at 9:57 AM
    #15
    joonbug

    joonbug °°°°°°°°°°

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    It’s amazing how few people follow this. Even though it’s just common sense. They’ll just try to speed up instead of letting you pass. What sucks about that is most trucks on the trail at full speed is still only going half the speed of our group. If you fall back and give them space they’ll never pull over. So the only choice is to get up on their ass and get a mouthful of dust and tailgate until they finally get the message.
     
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  16. Mar 28, 2021 at 10:03 AM
    #16
    GODZILLA

    GODZILLA Hail to the King, Baby.

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    Yup. My brother is a dick like that. He gets all pissy about people coming up behind him/his group and expecting to be let by. "There's no law. They don't get to expect it." He's an asshole.
     
  17. Mar 28, 2021 at 10:07 AM
    #17
    TRDFerguson

    TRDFerguson [OP] SSEM #99/RGBA #8-ish?/It’s a funny name.

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    Is he also one of those left lane hogging asshats on the highway?
     
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  18. Mar 28, 2021 at 10:09 AM
    #18
    TRDFerguson

    TRDFerguson [OP] SSEM #99/RGBA #8-ish?/It’s a funny name.

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    If only common sense were actually common...
     
  19. Mar 28, 2021 at 10:13 AM
    #19
    GODZILLA

    GODZILLA Hail to the King, Baby.

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    He's in and out of traffic as his speed allows. He's definitely an aggressive driver and blames everyone else on the road. Don't get me wrong, lots of idiots out there, but to hear him tell it he runs into every one of them every day. I honestly won't be surprised if he gets himself stabbed or shot by somebody who is afraid of the raging asshole. He's always been loud and aggressive to try and dominate others into his point of view.

    He's still my brother, and I love him, but I don't particularly like him. I'm not blind to his faults; especially because I share some of them. I'm just not as confrontational as he is, so my asshole tendencies present in other ways. :threadjacked::sorry:
     
    Last edited: Sep 27, 2021
  20. Mar 28, 2021 at 10:15 AM
    #20
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    It's amazing how many people don't know to yield to uphill traffic when going downhill. A majority it seems nowadays.
     
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  21. Mar 28, 2021 at 10:17 AM
    #21
    Warreng

    Warreng New Member

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    I notice the “fist” indicating last rider gets people comfused, I think they take it as a “fuck ya” sign.
    i try to make a “zero” with my fingers to indicate last rider.
     
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  22. Mar 28, 2021 at 10:20 AM
    #22
    Darkness

    Darkness Allergic to white

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    Give em a little love tap. Nothing starts a friendship like a pit maneuver.
     
  23. Mar 28, 2021 at 10:25 AM
    #23
    GODZILLA

    GODZILLA Hail to the King, Baby.

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    I think it is something that is easily misunderstood. Especially if you have people who ski/snowboard, as it's different for that. Poor wording for idiot proofing as well. "Yield to uphill traffic" can easily be misunderstood to mean "yield to anyone uphill from you." I can at least understand how some can get it wrong.
     
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  24. Mar 28, 2021 at 10:25 AM
    #24
    TRDFerguson

    TRDFerguson [OP] SSEM #99/RGBA #8-ish?/It’s a funny name.

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    Make sure to wave your arm back and forth so they really see it too


    But yeah, I could see there being some confusion on that.
     
  25. Mar 28, 2021 at 10:30 AM
    #25
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    The problem with that is it's been pretty much common knowledge for a long time. A long time. You are correct, but folks do seem to be a bit more confused nowadays with the simplest of things .......:thumbsup:
     
  26. Mar 28, 2021 at 10:34 AM
    #26
    FrenchToasty

    FrenchToasty The Desert rat, 6 lug enthusiast

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    I’ve actually had a few sxs ask questions and be somewhat courteous.
    Yesterday on a trail run, my son needed a diaper change so the big group I was with scooted along, and as I was packing up, one slowly drove by and stopped, and asked if this was a one way road, in my mind I already put together what probably happened, he was trying to get by my group and got the door shut on him. I said no it’s a two way, but within reason, give right of way.
    The group I was with also had the bright idea to stop right in the middle of the trail to air down.....
    there are idiots in every fold of the world.
     
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  27. Mar 28, 2021 at 10:37 AM
    #27
    BravoDeltaRomeo

    BravoDeltaRomeo Old Man Little Blue Finger

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    This is common when I used to mountain bike. It's just common sense but no one had any.

    Now as a commuting cyclist on road and paths, I couldn't tell you how many people scatter or jump left, when I ring a bell in advance and announce "passing on your left" as I come up behind them. And don't get me started on people that are completely stopped in the middle of a trail either talking, texting or trying to do repairs they could be doing 3' off the main trail.

    As for numbers, if I'm in a group I always announce "2 more" as I pass, so they know. If someone passes me on the trail, I always ask "any more coming?" as they never disclose that up front.

    I think Covid has more people getting outdoors, in the woods, on trails and they aren't familiar with trail etiquette in any type of vehicle, bike or even running.
     
  28. Mar 28, 2021 at 10:47 AM
    #28
    GODZILLA

    GODZILLA Hail to the King, Baby.

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    I agree it's common knowledge for those who regularly use the trails and such as a hobby, but as @BravoDeltaRomeo pointed out, record numbers of newbies are out and have never had anyone teach them.

    I was new to it all until a year ago. Hadn't ever had done anything like the SxS stuff on trails. Just 4 wheelers on my property. A buddy helped me out because he had done it before, and he gave me some basics and recommended that I look up the trail etiquette. Not everyone has a buddy to help them cuz their whole group is new, and that is when it's on those who are experienced to be patient, and kind. Teaching somebody will always go further than screaming obscenities at them or calling them idiots. That's just a great way to make it all terrible, and then they just act like assholes because that's what they've experienced.
     
    Last edited: Sep 27, 2021
  29. Mar 28, 2021 at 10:52 AM
    #29
    BlueRibbon4x4

    BlueRibbon4x4 Let’s color match it

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    I’ve been around enough cyclists to know that to expect them to yield to anyone is a damn joke. :rofl:
    I was lucky to learn this etiquette early in my off-roading. So many people don’t know the hand signals, all we can do is politely educate, and hope they follow.
    So many damn times I’ve almost been in a head-on collision with a sxs floored coming around a mountain trail corner, because they didn’t slow for a blind turn. It’s so easy to categorize them as morons, (they’re definitely their own group of crazies), but I think most are just uneducated.
     
  30. Mar 28, 2021 at 10:54 AM
    #30
    BlueRibbon4x4

    BlueRibbon4x4 Let’s color match it

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