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Course Outline

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  • The most knowledgeable and experienced rider takes the lead. Trail leaders:
    • Guide the direction, pace, and length of the ride.
    • Alert the group to changing conditions and warn of potential hazards.
    • Avoid unnecessary risk by placing safety first.
    • Do not allow reckless behavior such as “horseplay” or passing within the group.
  • The last position of a group, called a “trail sweep,” is critical in maintaining proper spacing and leadership on the trail. This rider should be as experienced and knowledgeable as the trail leader.

Group Ride Spacing

Stay a safe distance behind the snowmobile ahead of you.

  • Proper spacing is determined by speed, reaction time, distance, and the need to maintain visual contact.
  • As a rule of thumb, calculate spacing distances using a reaction time of three seconds. As the snowmobile in front of you passes an object, count one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two, one-thousand-three. If you pass that same object in less than three seconds, you should allow more space.
Two snowmobilers riding in a group
  • Unit 3 of 5
  • Topic 3 of 3
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