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How to ride guides

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Our guides share essential tips for making the most of your rides while respecting the trails and other riders. From checking conditions and avoiding muddy paths to practicing safe etiquette on multi-use routes, the guides cover how to ride responsibly, stay prepared with the right gear, and enhance your adventure .

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There’s nothing better than crushing your favorite trail on a gorgeous day. But with great fun comes great responsibility, and it’s every mountain biker’s job to respect their trails and everyone who uses them. We’ve put together some guidelines for navigating trail conditions and trail etiquette, plus a few tips for better rides.

Trail conditions

A lot of hard work, time, and resources go into building and maintaining mountain bike trails. To keep them in amazing shape for everyone to enjoy, you have to play your part. Please follow these guidelines, and all rules outlined by the trail systems you ride.

1) If the trail is closed, it’s closed for a reason. Do not try riding on closed trails even if they seem okay to use.

2) Stay on the trail, don’t cut corners or create your own path—this damages the environment!

3) If trails are muddy, find a different dry way up or down, or just don’t ride. Riding muddy trails can cause permanent damage.

4) Always check trail conditions before you head out for a ride. Local trail orgs often post updates to their websites or social media.

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Trail etiquette

Some trails are just for designated mountain bike use, but many allow other activities like hiking and horseback riding. So when you’re out on the trail, be on the lookout for other riders as well as slower-moving traffic.

1) Pay attention to trail signage—ride with more caution on two-way trails.

2) Always yield to people traveling uphill, whether they’re on a bike, a horse, or on foot.

3) Always ride around corners as if someone will be on the other side.

4) If you are passing someone while traveling down hill, make sure you let them know you’re coming so they have ample time to move out of the way without being startled.

5) If you’re riding with others, make sure to give them some space, especially on descents and in technical sections. No one likes a pile up.

Tips for better rides

1) It’s always best to be prepared! So bring snacks, an extra layer, a multitool and flat kit, and water on every ride.

2) Don’t approach wild animals!

3) Download TrailForks or MTB Project before riding, so even if you lose cell service, you should still be able to find your way. It’s also a good idea to research a trail before you ride it, and these services are great for that.

How to fuel your ride
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Group rides are a great way to meet new friends and explore new routes, especially if you’re new to cycling. However, not all group rides are the same, so it’s important to find one that fits your skill level. Here are some tips on how to find a group ride, and how to ride in a group on the road.

Find a ride

Your local bike shop is the best place to find a group ride. Check their social media pages, websites, or stop in store and ask. Group rides are often set up based on skill level, so if you’re new to cycling look for a ride that has “no drop” in the description. This just means that the group will ride at the pace of the slowest cyclist so no one is left behind!

Hone your bike handling

Before you start in a group, make sure you have decent bike handling skills. If you can’t ride successfully in a straight line and often find yourself correcting your direction, you might want to practice a bit more before joining a group as you’ll be riding close to others.

Communicate!

When you’re riding in a group, communicating with your fellow riders is critical. If there’s a bump or pothole in the road, point it out to those behind you. If you need more room, ask. If you’re riding at the back, callout vehicles approaching from behind. Talking to the other cyclists in your group is the best way to avoid unexpected hazards on your ride.

Pay attention to your surroundings

When you ride in a group, chances are high that at least one of your wheels is very close to someone else’s. Make sure you are paying attention to everything going around you, not just staring at the person in front of you. This way you’ll see hazards in time to react and alert other riders, instead of being taken by surprise when the person in front of you slams on the brakes. Being aware of your environment while riding is important for accident prevention.

Share the lead

The person in the front is always working the hardest because they are breaking the wind for the rest of the group. Make sure you’re taking turns with the leader to help them avoid bonking. Once you are done with your turn in the front, look behind you for cars. If there’s no traffic approaching, move to your left and let the group pass. Once the group has passed you’ll take your place as the last cyclist in line.

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Remember that everyone you see on your streets and bike paths is just trying to get somewhere, whether for fun or for work. When you follow the rules of the road, pay attention to your surroundings, and respect other users, you contribute to a more fun and enjoyable experience for all. And, as always, please ride with a helmet and front and rear lights. You might even consider some hi-vis gear for added visibility.

Riding in unprotected bike lanes

Unprotected bike lanes are those that run right next to car traffic, without any barrier between cyclists and moving traffic.

1) Watch for car doors opening. Especially if the bike lane is positioned very close to parked cars. You do not want to get doored!

2) Be very careful when turning left. Either cautiously move into a car lane to turn, or go straight ahead into the intersecting street and stop on the right-hand side of that street. Prepare to cross once the light turns green or when it’s safe to do so.

3) Watch for cars turning right. Drivers should be able to clearly see cyclists in unprotected lanes—they’re riding right next to them! But never assume this is the case, and use extra caution when you approach an intersection.

Riding in protected bike lanes

Protected bike lanes are those that use curbs, posts, parked cars, or other barriers to shield the bike lane from moving car traffic.

1) Use extra caution when leaving the protected bike lane. Examples include when you’re maneuvering around an obstacle, making a left hand turn, or if you need to turn around. Again, be very careful when turning left.

2) Watch for cars turning right. Protected bike lanes are usually designed for high visibility at intersections, but some drivers still might not be able to see clearly, may have forgotten that a bike lane exists, or are just plain distracted.

3) If possible, ride toward the center of the lane. When riding in a bike lane next to the curb you should ride more toward the center of the lane to avoid puddles, debris, and anything else that could potentially fly up from the road.

Riding on bike paths and recreational paths:

The traffic you’ll encounter on bike and recreational paths is mostly from other cyclists and pedestrians. You’ll really only deal with car traffic at intersections.

1) Be very aware of other path traffic. This can include pedestrians, little kids, dogs, strollers, other cyclists, sight-seers, etc. With so much going on, it’s easier to get distracted, and people often act unpredictably.

2) Be respectful when passing other users. Call out “on your left” before you pass and consider using a bell to alert others to your presence. Depending on who you’re passing and how distracted they seem, you might even want to slow down while you pass. Similarly, don’t go blazing fast through high-traffic areas.

3) Obey lane markers, if applicable. Most bike paths have two-way traffic, so try to stay in your lane unless you’re passing. If the path splits into specific pedestrian and bike lanes, always use the bike lane.

Remember that everyone you see on your streets and bike paths is just trying to get somewhere, whether for fun or for work. When you follow the rules of the road, pay attention to your surroundings, and respect other users, you contribute to a more fun and enjoyable experience for all. And, as always, please ride with a helmet and front and rear lights. You might even consider some hi-vis gear for added visibility.

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It can seem a little daunting to commute to work on your bike, but we promise it’s actually easier than you think! In fact, with the right gear and preparation commuting by bike is a blast. It’s a great way to enjoy the outdoors, get some exercise, and it’s way more fun than sitting in a traffic jam.

1—Pack it up, pack it in.

Choose a backpack you’re comfortable riding with, install a rack and panniers, or use both depending on how much you need to carry. Plan on packing whatever you need for work plus an extra set of clothes in case of sweat or bad weather.

2—Make your bike weather-ready.

Consider investing in fenders and wider tires. Fenders reduce the chance you’ll get soaked from rain or snow flying up from your tires, and wider tires add traction and stability. That extra grip is especially nice if you want to ride throughout the winter.

3—Bring a jacket just in case.

Always pack a rain jacket, even if you don’t think you’ll need it. You never know when a rogue downpour or drizzle will hit! Plus, it’s always nice to have a wind-blocking layer on hand for protection from the elements.

4—Don’t forget your lock.

If you can’t bring your bike to your desk, make sure you have a good quality lock to secure your bike outside or in your office building’s bike parking area. We recommend using a u-lock. 

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5—Pre-ride your route.

If you’re nervous about getting to work on time, pre-riding your route is a great way to understand how long it’ll actually take you door-to-door. Remember, the route you drive is not always the safest route by bike. Google Maps and other apps can help you find an alternative route that’s more enjoyable for bike riders.

6—Ensure time is on your side.

Give yourself a little more time than you need so that you won’t have to stress or rush in case of any unforeseen circumstances like a flat tire, terrible weather, etc.

7—Have a back up plan.

Whether it’s taking the bus, carpooling with friends and coworkers, or taking your own vehicle, it’s always good to have a plan B in case of mechanical issues or weather conditions.

8—Ride with friends.

Like most things in life, commuting is more fun with friends! Ask a few of your coworkers to join you the next time you ride to work.

BONUS TIP!

Always ride with front and rear lights and a helmet. Doing these two simple things can help you stay safer out on the road.