asking the right questions of others

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Kim
Good point Sam. If you don't know how difficult one ride is, it is
hard to prepare for a ride being compared to it. If you are new to the
sport, it is hard to know what questions to ask to get the person to
elaborate in ways you can relate to.

Samm:
ONe thing that I noticed was that people that have been riding longer
could have warned me a bit better. For those of you who will scream
it's not your responsibility, then fine, keep your mouth shut when
someone asks. Just please point them in the direction of some one else
who MIGHT help.

Kim:
I think part of the problem is the teacher not knowing what the student
knows.

Samm:
They only said it's not tough compared
to XX ride, or its similar to XYT ride. I had not ridden any of the
rides referenced. It would have helped if the more experienced riders
had asked me when/how I conditioned.

Kim:
This is where it is really important that you, as the questionee,
make clear to the person you are asking that you are new to the sport.
You havn't ridden on XYT ride or XX ride and could they elaborate? I
doubt that many people will ask too much of when/how you condition
unless there is a lot of time parked around the campfire or riding side
by side on the trail. These questions seem to come up after you've
hung out a while, not right before a race. But, wouldn't it be a good
idea (or maybe not...lets not start any battles....) if someone asked
when you where registering for the ride or heading for the vet check
etc. Especially asked the new people, many like me doing 25's.

Samm:
since I was new to the sport, I certainly did not know how to ask what
I needed to ask. NOw I do, but I am also familiar with most of the
trails that I ride. If I do go to a ride that I have never done, I ask
around until I find someone who has ridden that trail before, not
necessarily one who trains there--what someone trains on usually is not
a big deal to them, not here in the SE usually since Mountains are
generally NOT a problem:-), but I look for someone who has just done
this ride a few times. I learn a lot by asking about terrain changes,
mud/sand/rocks,spooks, etc.

Kim:
These are the important questions to ask...yes. River crossings,
drainage ditches, bridges, etc. I think it would be good to think of
some of the specific questions to ask before you do the asking too...I
know I get so excited I freeze up and many times must force myself to
listen after formulating the questions because of the adrenaline going
through my head...

Samm:
I almost did not post this to the group, but figured if it helped keep
onehorse out of trouble, then I would do it.

It really helped me after my first few mistakes, but it's
too bad that my horse had to suffer because I was a green, naive person
to the sport. Good thing he's an Appy, and tough!!:-)

Now I know, and I try to help people that ask, or if I see a new rider,
I will find out if he/she is new to the area, or just new to the sport.
I have made many new friends, helped some people along the way, and it
really helps some people. It helps some, but it doesn't help others.
Just depends on if people listened. I would have.

samm

Kim:

Samm, I'm glad you did post this to the group, I think your comments
and concerns are extremely valid. It is not the unwillingness to help,
but asking the right questions and exploring the answers that get us
into trouble. What goes around comes back around again. I wish you
were in Auburn CA instead of Alabama (am I right) so I could ask you
some questions on the trail...

Kimberly (&Mystery the Morab)
Petaluma Ca...soon to move to Pt.Reyes ... :-)

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