I'm sure this will tick you off, but I kind of agree with Desracers. It is always the responsibility of the lead rider (who should be the most experienced in the group) to make sure that everyone is okay. In the case where there are only 2 riders, it isn't possible to put another experienced "sweeper" in the back of the pack. I know that sometimes it isn't as "fun" to ride at the slowest rider's pace, but it's got to be done. I wasn't there, but I'm assuming that she took the same path as you (her having less experience and following the leader), which means that you went over that same razorback and didn't warn the rider behind you. This should be chaulked up as a lessons learned for the rider in front. Just be glad that you still have a wife. I'm sure she'll be more carefull the next time she approaches the top of a hill. Make sure to go over her bike thouroughly and make sure that nothing in the steering/suspension is bunged up. If she was riding that 440ex, there's a chance that her steering stem is bent (if it's a stock stem) and/or a tie rod. Buy her a nice women's chest protector (one with room for the fun "parts") and get her back out there. The sooner you get back out on the bike, the sooner she'll forget about that crash. That, and have her ride lead for a few hours. It will teach her how to evaluate different obstacles (razorbacks, witches eyes, step ups, and drop offs). Follow closely behind, and I'm sure you'll both learn a thing or two.

 

CHAD400EX- we were riding at a slow pace but the wind was blowing very hard and limiting visibility and i was only ahead of her by 100 yards or so and i try to stay closer than that most of the time.second guessing what happened to someone else is always easy but believe me i try as much as is possible to keep track of all the riders in the group but in extremely windy conditions when you are cresting the top of a razorback you also have to concentrate on what you are doing.i had thought that maybe posting what happened would create something positive out of a negative situation but as always there is going to be someone who thinks they know better.chad400ex (i am sure that you will both learn a thing or two?)i have been riding the dunes for more years than i care to admit but the reality is that sometimes these things are going to happen regardless of how careful you are so a lesson for you would be not to judge people or a situation unless you were there or know the people involved.

 

I was there with duneittiludie and hes right, you couldnt see 10 feet in front of you sometimes. The wind was blowing so hard and the sand was hitting your face so bad that it was incredibly hard to see.

 

duneittilludie, very happy to hear that your wife is ok for the most part.
I also believe that you did the right thing by posting this experience. You may have helped someone else. At the same time chad400ex's post doesn't apply in your case. However it is the correct way to dune and be safe. So with your post came his and more valuble help for others to learn.

 

I am glad to hear that she is ok and that she can talk. Those razor backs can be very dangerous. I have had a couple close calls myself where i tought i was going to go over my handlebars. With it being so dry down there and windy at florence you will get tons of razorbacks. My buddy just came back and he was telling me about the razorbacks. I am glad to hear that she is ok and i hope other readers will read this and think abou tit next time they are down there.

 

i know someone who came off a razorback and the quad flipped out from under him and
he landed on his back with the quad on top of him. hes paralyzed from the waist down because of it.

 

well this is a hard subject but since you guys don't know dune, and feel it is of need to correct his riding, i'm going to add my side. i have rode with dune and his wife, you talk as if mrs dune is a novice rider she is in no way. she can hold her own with anyone,and i mean anyone, they are very good riders. dune is someone i would send my kids out with and having had a brken wrist there myself i'm very leery of people i ride around. so given what happen i think it is best to be glad cathy is going to be ok, and i can say i know if they made any mistakes they will adjust and they will not happen again. the other thing is didn't you guys read his post it was his wife, that is a bad enough feeling with out others getting on him, he was reminding the rest of us to be careful. sorry about this but dune is a great rider and one of the most careful on the dunes, it just goes to show we all need to be careful and practice safe riding.

 

Glad to hear your wife is still in one piece. Being safe and having fun is priority number one when Im out riding, but sometimes no matter how safe you try to be accidents can happen even at the slowest of speeds. Hopefully this post will encourage others to ride a little safer.


As far as your comment about 10 to 12 other riders seeing if you need help. Only in the atv community do complete strangers drop what they are doing and try to help out a fellow member of their sport.

 

thanks for the positive comments sandman.it seems that some people find it very easy to criticize while sitting at their computer,i personally try to keep my comments on the same level that i would if i were talking to someone in person.

 

not at all 3tv and i am glad you added your experience to help illustrate my point.