All of a sudden you realize you're lost

Have you ever been on one of those long epic rides in the mountains where all of a sudden you realize you're lost?

Back in the day, there was more than one occasion where I've gotten so caught up in the ride that I blazed right past a connecting trail not even noticing it. Waiting at next connecting trail, thinking it's the previous. I finally realize something is not right, the others should have arrived by now. So I turn back, haul ass back the in the direction I just came from and only then do I see the first connecting trail, the one I should have taken. The trail the rest of the guys are on and putting distance between myself and them at that very moment.

Same goes for bringing up the rear too. More than once I have brought up the rear, had the guys in my sights. But they where just far enough out that at the first bend in the trail they would vanish until the trail straightened back out, only to find they weren't there any longer. What happened? Was my mind drifting off to other things and not the ride and I missed a turn? Did they pick it up a notch?

Even worst are the trails you're not familiar with. So you're not exactly sure where the hell you are in the first place, nor which route you should be taking or should be on. Do I keep rolling forward or should I head back and see if I missed a connecting trail, yet again. Uncertainty sets in and I look towards the sun wondering, if I don't meet up with the guys, how the hell am I going to get out of here before dark sets in?

No, I'll check my map and get further behind, better safe than sorry. So I get out my map, try my best to figure out where I am, this route looks right, so I keep on rolling and finally catch the guys at the next intersecting trail. There's a couple of the guys who where just about to roll back, try to find me and now I feel like a dumb ass for holding everyone up. But at least I'm not out there on my own.

I've been in this situation enough times now to know, I don't go on any trail I don't know, without a map, without know where I'm going, without knowing the route. It's so easy to get separated from those your riding with on long epics. The pack can stretch out to the point that you may never see some of the guys you started riding with if they're hell bent on accomplishing the ride in a certain time frame. You'll learn who are your best buddies, they're the ones who'll stick around and come searching for you.

But I've also made it a point to do my best to stick to the wheel of the guys ahead of me.

Not sure what's the point of sharing this, just had it on my mind for some reason.