I have been talking with STM today and he’s asked that I post up the cornerman system. We know most riders will be familier with the system but if you have any doubts about how it works please read it as the success of the ride depends on this system.
The Cornerman System
Lead Rider: In charge of the ride, he/she determines where the cornerman are, the direction of ride, stopping points and what to do when there are problems. The lead rider will usually be wearing an Orange hi viz vest.
On rides with larger groups we may use 2 lead riders. One will be the leader of the ride and may not have a vest but will be up near the front of the pack keeping check on the riders and the ride in general. The other one will be the lead rider with a vest and out front putting riders on corners.
Sweep Rider: The Last rider in the group. He/she is in charge of sweeping the ride, waving you on, back-tracking missing riders, helping with broken bikes and injuries and also responsible for informing the Lead Rider of problems. The sweep rider will be wearing a yellow hi viz vest.
On rides with larger groups we may use 2 sweep riders. This is to allow more help at the back of the pack and also if there is a break down one sweep can stay with the rider and help out and the other can keep the group moving.
We may also have sweep riders within the ride group. These riders will have first aid kits, tools, cameras and some sort of riding ability and be willing to use them. They will wear punk coloured vests.
Cornerman: The cornerman is just a rider who has been put on a corner by the Lead rider. The Lead Rider will tell/signal the cornerman which direction to point his bike in. The cornerman will then point the bike in that direction and stay there until the Sweep comes and waves him on.
In a big group the lead rider may drop two or more cornermen off at every corner to reduce the spread of the group, and you have someone to talk to at each corner. If there is only one rider stop and become the additional cornerman
How it works
When approaching a corner, intersection or hazardous area, the LEAD rider will indicate to the next rider following to take position at the corner/intersection/hazard. If this rider happens to be you, the LEAD will usually point to the position on the corner where he requires you to position your bike. Indicate to the LEAD that you understand and then place your bike where indicated and make sure you are FACING the direction that the LEAD went. If this is an intersection, try to block off any exit that is NOT being used. Also make sure that you have positioned yourself in such a way that every following rider can clearly see you. If you are behind the lead rider and you pass a corner that the lead rider does not see or that you think people may get confused on, stop anyway.
Once you are placed as a cornerman DO NOT LEAVE THE CORNER until the SWEEP permits you to move. In the event that a problem has occurred with a following rider, you must MAINTAIN YOUR CORNER for however long it takes. The LEAD will eventually return to find out what the problem is.
All riders approaching the cornerman will see the direction of the bike and go that way. If someone misses a corner then the cornerman will inform the sweep when he arrives, the sweep will then go and find the missing person.
When the SWEEP arrives he will indicate that you are to move on. You then take position IN FRONT OF THE SWEEP. As you pick up cornermen they will take position between yourself and the SWEEP and eventually you will get back to the front and become a cornerman again.
Situations where a LEAD will drop a cornerman:
•Where we are turning
•At a confusing intersection
•Where a hazard exists
A LEAD rider may not necessarily drop a cornerman on a main trail if it is obvious that we are travelling straight.
TIPS
•To help keep the group moving be ready to ride off when the sweep rider gets there.
•If the sweep rider is behind you and you are coming up to the next corner, tap your helmet so that cornerman knows he should be ready to take off.
•Do not stop around blind corners. Give each rider an oppotunity to see you and which way to go.
•Look before you cross a road, even if there is a cornerman there! It is your life, keep it!
•Be careful when passing people. Enduro’s are for racing, not trail rides. If someone is behind you wanting to get passed, point a leg out to let them pass at a suitable point
•If you get lost, go back to the last place you saw members of your group – SLOWLY – and wait. Don’t move again. someone will realise your lost and back track to find you.
DY4 , Rob 400 and myself said we would have a nice slow ride to really learn the loop…..
