Well, I was out riding single trails with a "mate", turned off a trail onto a tight single trail, look around and he's behind me. Headed in a bit further, only about 500m and look around and cannot see him. Turn off the bike, can't hear him so I go back to the turn off and wait, wait, wait, no sign of him. I start get a bit worried so looked for him for about an hour, no trace of him at all. Went back to the turn off, still no sign of him. Descided to head home as low on fuel. Then I get a text saying he was at home and would catch up again later. What a COCK, NO F#CKING WAY. If he wanted to head home all he had to do was to say so. I couldn't believe that someone would just leave and not tell you. Arrrh now I feel better. A good whinge.
How old is said "mate"? Someone old enough to know better? Regardless of their age I would be less than happy if someone did that to me.
Mr Touser I must be a good mate then,Ive never left ya starting to get a bit excited now for the Desert onslaught cheers Rowdy
had the same thing happen a few years ago. This bloke who was old enough to know better left the ride without notice. We searched for him for an hour or more. He was never invited again.
Explain to him why this was a stupid thing too do if he doesn't see why it is, SLAP him and don't ride with him again. I've had people do this on club runs with road bikes and it's a pain in the arse for all you know they could be lying in the bush off the road dying. This happened to a friend on a ride and if we did'nt look for him he could still be lying in the bush beside the road.
100% agree with everyone so far. If he's a real mate then try to educate him, if he refuses to be educated don't ride with him again.
Yeah - not only were you his back-up - but He was supposed to be YOUR back-up: his bailing screwed up your ride too. Suggest you remind him of his lowly status in the world (:fyyff) and sentence him to either buying ALL the beer on the next camping trip or ten lashes on the foreskin with a wet shoelace..... if he selects the latter, don't bend over in the shower.
Faced this sort of crap before, logically i just see it as a fundamental part of Darwinism. View the situation as a plus, you now know who not to ride with.
Yeah thanks fella's, I won't lose sleep over it. I'll have a chat to him now I'm a bit calmer. I was just so pissed off that he just left, as said earlier we were each others back up and where we were no one would come buy for days if not weeks. What if somethig happened to me whilst I was looking for him. Neither of us are noobs either, both over 45.
My new "best mate" is the PLB my Mrs. just bought me for my birthday a week ago [Personal Locator Beacon, like an EPIRB but for land use]. I have bailed on rides, but not without informing the group I'm riding with first. Same has been done by people who have ridden with me as part of a my group. When only two of us on the ride we either both go on, or we both go back, by mutual agreement [and never an issue or grudge against the one who wants to pull the pin for whatever reason].
