[Kistle]

I recognize that there is no such thing as a "guarantee", but looking for directional guidance on a scenario that I have been thinking about. My son and I ride dirt bikes. We hit the woods, trails, enduro course etc, and even the occasional motocross track. We are both experienced, but I would say still high novice/low intermediate level riders. Just recreational stuff.

Now for the question. One of his friends rides too, but I believe he is less experienced than we are (not sure though), but I don't think his experience (or ours) is relevant to my question. Let's say my son and I went to the local woods riding area and took his friend with us. What kind of risk to I have if that kid were to get hurt? My guess is I am 100% exposed, since that kid would technically be under my care when it happened. This particular kid's dad rides and is a more advanced rider. He seems supportive and even suggested we all go together some time. That is probably the best scenario, as I assume I would have little/no risk in that scenario. Just wondering what the protocol is for having my son and a friend ride with us. Probably not a whole lot different than them screwing around in the basement and him breaking his arm (or worse) there.

I don't intend at this point to arrange a ride where the friend joins us without his dad, but I was wondering if there is a way to make that work, or is it just one of those things you just don't do? I even thought about getting an e-mail from his dad that said he was ok with it, but I think this is where all of that is well and good until you have a real incident on your hands.

Just thinking out loud and curious at this point. Like I said, my current thinking is that nothing good comes from this and we should stay away, but I would like to hear some more professional opinions just to educate myself. And by the way, regardless of what the "advice" is here, I would seek my own official advice elsewhere if I were to ever really consider this.

Thanks,

JA