Ride Safety: Part Five: The Importance of Ride Shepherds

By Ben Harper, ISRA #12795

As your riding skills, both as an individual and as a group, improve, you will discover that, like every other activity that requires multi-tasking (walking and chewing gum, for example), some people are better at it than others. Once your constellation has established its ride "style," you will find that it takes new members a little time to assimilate that style. This assimilation can be enhanced considerably though the presence of ride shepherds.

The position of ride shepherd is the third in the triad of ride leaders. Their function is to "nursemaid," if you'll pardon the term, new members until they have adopted the ride style of the constellation. For some riders, this comes very naturally; for others, it takes a little time. In either circumstance, the ride shepherd is there to lend advice and suggestions to make the new rider's experience that much more pleasant.

In order to be a good ride shepherd, the person must have a somewhat nurturing nature to begin with. Whereas the ride captain and the tailgunner are more like policemen or park rangers, the ride shepherd is just that, a shepherd, tending the flock. This is the attitude that makes for great shepherds. As such, this is often a good position for women riders, if they desire to do so. I'm not a chauvinist, but I think I would just prefer to hear soothing words from any woman than from a 6'4" bearded guy. Call me crazy, but it just seems right to me.

In all seriousness, many women riders want to assist with the ride and, while not leaving them out of other offices, this position is also good for them and for any person of a warm and friendly nature. It requires the ability to encourage a member after they have done something they feel was dumb. Sometimes you will need to be stern, but not overbearing; caring but not excusing; encouraging but not a cheerleader.

The ride shepherd is the third of your ride leaders. Together with the ride captain and the tailgunner, your ride leadership team can get you there and back again safely. More importantly, though, they, along with uniform ride rules, make the event less stressful and more fun.