good points and story, Trek...I remember offering to take a newbie who was training for an AIDS ride in Montana out for one of his first rides EVER - never mind first ride of the season. We rolled along a local trail and then I took him off it to get in some back roads...of course I was using signals, pointing out hazards, and chatting too...after we went over some really rough railroad tracks, (so, after my R/R tracks arm signals), he called out to me, and I slowed for him to pull alongside...and he said, "what the h*ll are you doing? are you giving me signals or something? I have no idea what anything means!"...That was just the kick I needed to be reminded to not assume anything...always kind of review 'ground rules', so to speak, before a ride - even with 1 other person - as I thought he had some more experience than that...oh well, can always learn to communicate better!