Trail Etiquette for Mountain Bikers, written for the BNS Newsletter back in 1997 or so. Also published a modifed version in the Trails Nova Scotia newsletter. Slight update made around 2000/2001. I think it all still applies.
Okay, a new season of cycling is upon us. I think with every new season we should review some basic ‘rules of the trail”. New people should be made aware of these and the old-timers probably couldn’t be hurt to be reminded of a few things. I’ve been biking off-road for over 10 years and since nearly day one I’ve been a believer in what I’m going to go into here. We only have access to so much trail. With that basic fact in mind we should take steps to do two things:
The International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) has adopted some short and easy guidelines for how mountain bikers should conduct themselves on the trail.
They are:
Lets have a closer look at these commonsense rules for trail use:
That means a few things: don’t leave garbage behind, don’t skid and tear up the trail, don’t throw old tubes in the trees. If you use Powergels, please don’t leave them or their tear-off bits behind on the trail. Things like that. Garbage is one thing, but doing damage to a trail is another. This goes along with rule #2, control your bicycle,
Pay attention to where you are at all times. Don’t speed around corners, someone’s kid could be standing there. If you want to ride fast, head farther back where you’re less likely to run into hikers. Or, what you could do is send one person up ahead to make sure that all is clear and then rail the trail.
Use your front brake more! Dragging your rear brake is not just an inefficient stopping method, it destroys the trail pulling the earth up as you drag your wheel along. Here’s something to try just for fun: on a ride, use only your front brake. It will give you an appreciation of what you are capable (and not capable) of doing. You will be surprised at the amount of control your front brake gives you and a good exercise to improve your skills.
We don’t have a lot of singletrack around here. Singletrack. That means that there should only be enough room on the trail for one bike at a time. Lets keep it that way. Do not ride around obstacles. If you can’t ride over a log or particular rocky section don’t ride around the section. Dismount and walk over it. This goes for tricky descents too. If you can’t ride a section that’s really steep or dangerous looking, you’re better off getting off of your bike and walking right? Same goes for tough sections on level ground. Take a closer look at it. If the trail goes over it, chances are there are people riding it. And if that’s the case, then all you have to do is ride more until you’re at the skill level to get you over it. Just because you can’t, doesn’t mean its impossible. So no shortcuts! Shortcuts are called ‘cheaterlines’ for a reason, they’re for people who would rather take the easy way every time rather than develop better skills. Going around obstacles makes the trail wider than it has to be. Try hiking through your favourite trail sometime and you’ll see how obvious (and ugly) a ‘cheaterline’ is. I know of one section of a trail where there is a huge boulder in the middle of the trail. The trick is to get your front wheel up over it and then power over with your rear wheel. Sound simple enough, but some people feel the need to ride around it. Its not just that they ride around it but nobody can come to a consensus for which side they should take, so its widening on both sides of the rock!
With manmade stunts and what-not theres a pretty good chance that you aren’t ever going to be able to ride everything. Hopefully there will be a regular trail around the stunt that everyone can use when not riding the crazy stuff. If a single line around something does exist, then by all means, use it. Some lines are being formed to shortcut to other sections of trail. This is also a no no so please stay on the trail at all times.
We have to nip cheaterlines in the bud as soon as they appear. I’ve taken to throw ing brush over wide lines and cheaterlines in the past. So, if you come across a section of trail that you’re used to riding and its covered in deadfall, chances are you were riding the cheaterline. Look around and you’ll probably see the trail that was intended to be ridden.
Some other things when it comes to controlling your bicycle: don’t go wide around corners, break branches off of trees, or take shortcuts through switchbacks.
Yes, yield to other trail users (hikers and equestrians). Umm, equestrians are people on horses, you won’t see them very much around here. Yes, yield even if you are on a trail ‘created by mountain bikers’. I yield to hikers all of the time at Wrandees. The funny thing is, most hikers are happy to wave me by. It seems that most realize that the majority of us are responsible adults out having a good time and don’t want to slow us down any more than they have to. When they yield to you don’t blast by them like the biker stud (or studdette) that you are, slow down and go by in a controlled manner. Say ‘hi’ to them. Some are genuinely interested in the gear that we have. On more than one occasion I’ve had to stop and talk to families so they could point out the ‘cleats’ and ‘shocks’ on my bike to their young children. They actually get a kick out of seeing us on the trail. In any case, stopping and letting hikers go by is one of the simplest things you can do to improve relations between hikers and mountain bikers. It will take no more than a few seconds out of your day to stop and let them pass which sure beats the 5 minute tale they’re going to tell all of their friends if you force them off of the trail because you ‘felt the need for speed’. In any case, I’ve found that slowing down to a walking pace usually elicits a wave to keep on going. If you are in a group that isn’t totally visible to them, tell them how many more to expect, and pass down on the line to your group that you’ve come across some hikers.
Know your equipment, ability, and the area you are riding in and plan accordingly. Be self-sufficient at all times. Wear a helmet at all times and appropriate protective gear when needed. This advice will keep you safe and save you from vindictive riding buddies who don’t want to constantly give out spare tubes.
Leave animals alone. Don’t use beaver dams as bridges (unless they aren’t being used anymore) How would you like it if someone used your house as a walkway? And do not leave food behind for the animals either, they know how to look after and feed themselves. If you come across a deer let it know you are there and let it find its own way away from you. If they are allowed to leave on their terms they are a lot happier. I usually watch them for a bit and then introduce myself. Yelling at them and scaring them is not cool as it may chase them out into traffic so just wave your hand and say hello.
Obey any “No Trespassing” signs which you may come across. Here in Nova Scotia there are very few but they do exist. They are usually there for your own safety, around blasting zones, for instance. Don’t build trails in the places that hikers and dog walkers might get upset about (eg. Point Pleasant Park, the Dingle).
If a trail is wet do not ride it, its that simple. Wait until the Spring Thaw has dried up before you head out on the trails. If you absolutely must ride, hit a fireroad. You can’t do any damage to dirt roads. Riding on wet trails moves the dirt away from roots and causes grooves which may accelerate erosion. It also isn’t good for your bike.
So lets review:
Thank you, now get out there and ride! (Unless it’s wet, of course.)
If you have any comments or questions, send them to tossedsalad4u@hotmail.com.
Thanks for giving me your time.