Old-fashioned consideration gets neglected on the road and on the river trail

When I think of all the common courtesy ideals we were taught as youngsters, it's pretty profound how so much has been neglected in recent generations.

Sometimes it's a simple gesture - holding the door open for the next person, excusing yourself cutting through a line at the check-out station or other places where people congregate while waiting their turn.

It's a matter of showing consideration for your fellow man. Age has nothing to do with it. By original design, common courtesy has always pertained to young and old alike, displaying and receiving it.

It really amazes me how few people these days know what taking your turn at a four-way stop sign. When you arrive at the intersection as another motorist, it is customary to yield to the driver on your right. It's in the DMV driver test hand-out unless it was dropped.

The typical scene on our river trails gives a picture of courtesy or the lack of it by the citizens who utilize this outdoor recreation. I will say that it's nice that so many bicyclists have the courtesy to give pedestrians a heads up when they are coming up behind you. The considerate ones usually holler out, "on your left." Actually that's what they should say, and they should pass from behind on the left. So, that means the walkers (pedestrians with children or pets) need to heed which side of the trail they should walk.

I guess I never paid any attention to whether the etiquette of the trail system is posted anywhere - I was simply reared with this concept. Just look how many people don't pay attention to what side of the road they ride or walk on anywhere you go. You'll notice that people these days tend to follow their own rules of the path.

The same concepts go for equestrians, people who ride horses where others are sharing the trails.

Some years back I interviewed a bunch of riders who connected with their counterparts by the Internet. It was an enlightening experience the day I rode with them. Some were extremely considerate on the trail, while others rode like wild hooligans, galloping past riders and high-trotting on dangerous, narrow trails the cutback along steep mountains passages. They would go around corners at high speed like a car crossing a double line on a dangerous highway curve. Some of these riders were matched up with mounts they had no business being on in the first place. Maybe they weren't the majority representing the group, but still they were a dangerous lot to ride with.

First of all nobody loves galloping horses more than I do. I've chased cattle with seasoned cowboys and put my horse into high gear after many a stray. But when I ride with a group, which I try to avoid these days, I usually just mosey along at a constant brisk walk. When there is clearing up ahead, I let those behind me know I'd like to gallop a stretch and if it would bother their horses any. This is only out of consideration as somebody might be riding a green horse - one that hasn't be fully trained. Taking off at a sudden lurch can trigger a negative reaction from a youngster in the group. And, if the horse has a green rider on board, the situation can be twice as dangerous for the rider and others on the trail. I've seen some run-away horse crashes that seriously injured both the horse and rider, not to mention others on the trail.

Inconsideration and thoughtlessness can be a dangerous thing - large animals and stupidity just don't mix.

I remember a ride a few friends and I took near Jelly's Ferry in Tehama County. It was in a recreational riding area along the Sacramento River. This time of year there were wet bogs and lots of rocks everywhere. Some riders came out of nowhere, galloping to beat the band. I hollered at them to slow down as the ground wasn't a safe place to be going at that speed.

One of the rider's horses stumbled and nearly went to the ground, as it managed to recover. But a leg caught a sharp rock and was bleeding. Fortunately they were prepared with a first aid kit - a smart thing to have in the horse trailer and in the saddlebags.